Someone batting really well for Neyland Seconds recently in a cup match against old rivals Llangwm was Scott John, who was a very welcome visitor to a club he played for during his younger days before moving to teach in Qatar several years ago.

He also played football for Herbrandston alongside school pals Carlo Giannuzzi, Ollie West, Leigh Galdo, Mike Turpin and the late Matthew Price.

"I played regularly at left back and our team spirit was immense because we went everywhere together, including test cricket matches and football internationals in Cardiff - and the loss of 'Pricey' at such an early age was awful because he embodied the spirit that kept us all together, but none of us will ever forget a great pal!"

Scott still plays five a side football and touch-rugby in Qatar to help keep fit and enjoys Desert Trail Running, which was initiated by the British Army and covers distances from 500 metres to 5K, following red or blue markers left in the sand.

At 32 years of age, Scott was back in Neyland for his wedding to fiancée Colette Forrest, who originally hails from Glasgow and teaches at the British Embassy School, some 80 away from where Scott works, in Doha.

He has taught history and politics in the school established by Qatar Petroleum Company (who run South Hook LNG) for the past five years, in a staff of 98 teachers who cater for 1,500 children from aged 3 to 18, split into junior and senior sections.

"We teach through the medium of English, which is the second language for 98% of the students from upwards of 35 nationalities, with a modified curriculum that still allows the sitting of GCSE and A Level exams.

"We are expected to take an extra-curricular class a week and of course I help coach cricket, which is very popular, especially amongst the Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan contingent in our classes, although I have to say that the pitches are not quite on a par with the ones at the Athletic Ground in Neyland!

"We live in a very large walled compound that is about the size of Milford Haven, situated on an oilfield in the middle of the desert - and we have large swimming pools, artificial cricket nets and golf courses where the fairways are comprised of sand and the greens are bitumen-based with sand on the top. They actually import the sand for the bunkers (believe it or not in a desert) and green fees are only £60 a year."

Scott lives in a bungalow just 30 seconds from the first tee and plays most weekends as part of a good social scene, despite the fact that there is only one off-licence in the country and no pubs - but drinking is allowed in certain hotels as long as they are sensible.

"An occasional treat is to go to the famous course at Doha, an hour's flight away, which plays host to European circuit events. They have real grass there, and an incredible watering system- but it costs a king's ransom (almost £200) in green fees," admitted Scott with a chuckle!

"I play off a handicap of 12 and my best round so far is 81, which put me at three under par, but it pales into insignificance in comparison with my Malaysian colleagues, for whom golf is a favourite sport and lots of them play off very low handicaps so I tend not to compete against them too often!!

That Scott should love sport should come as no surprise because his father Paul (known to all as 'Bomber') was a very good cricketer with Burton and a couple of other clubs, whilst mum Donna Robertson played hockey and his step father John played rugby for Milford Haven - and his sister Vicki swam for Wales and plays hockey for Milford Haven Ladies.

When he started out in sport at Neyland he joined other talented young cricketers in the junior team like Johnny Jones, Jeremy Charles, Michael Delahaye, Jay Dunsford, Sean and Patrick Hannon, and later Paul Murray, which won age group titles.

“I also enjoyed my County involvement at junior level where I was part of the winning West Wales side in the Welsh championships at under17 level alongside John Jones and Martin James.

"In 2002 we beat Burton in the Ormond Youth Cup Final and I won man of the match for my innings of 47 and 28 to set the seal on a great day out at Carew with coaches Martin Jones and Mike Tennick, both of whom are rightly regarded as top blokes at Neyland Cricket Club.

"When I progressed to senior cricket I eventually made it into the first team and in 2009 we played in the Harrison-Allen Bowl Final but lost to Cresselly. I was pleased to score 56 in the first innings, where we led, but all that was forgotten when we lost!

"But two years later we were back again and beat Haverfordwest as Nick Koomen was man of the match and Paul Murray belted 56 in five overs. I shared a stand of 64 in five overs with Andrew Miller, where I managed 10 runs!

"It was also great to cheer Neyland on to victory in this year's Harrison-Allen Bowl final against Cresselly recently and I enjoyed a couple of pints and the chance to catch up with former colleagues and opponents in what was a brilliant afternoon out.

"When I went to Sheffield University for my BA in politics, I played for the college as we reached the BUSA Final but lost to Essex on Joe Root's former ground in Sheffield - and once I had gained my PGSE qualification I started playing for West Herts CC in the Home Counties League for three seasons, which was a good quality competition played on excellent pitches.

"But then I decided it was time for a change and I have never regretted moving out to Qatar, or staying there for so long, because I have been able to experience amazing things like climbing up to the base camp at Everest in Nepal, something I will never forget.

“This year I also went to Mumbai (Bombay) and we played an impromptu game of cricket with some locals on a pitch where Sachin Tendulkar learnt the game and the love of the game out there is unreal.”

Scott John will soon be on his way back to Qatar for work as a newly married man and we wish him continued success in his work and having a great time there, until he once again makes a welcome return to these shores and we can bump into a thoroughly pleasant, modest and charming young man once again!