THOMAS ERNEST CHARLES MOLLAND was born in Neath on August 28th 1908. He joined Cimla during its first season of 1925, making his debut on May 30th against Mansel but he failed to trouble the scorers, an act he repeated the following week against Windsor.

Nevertheless, this most inauspicious start was the prelude to a lifetime involvement with Cimla Cricket Club and Ernie soon established himself as the steadiest of middle order batsmen and a reliable medium pace bowler.

During his career, Ernie played 442 games in which he scored 4,428 runs at an average of 12.27, took 885 wickets at a cost of 6.33 each and held 103 catches. His highest innings was 79 at Ton Pentre in 1949 while his best bowling figures were 9 for 21 against Bethel in 1933.

His best season with the bat was 1932 when he scored 596 runs in 34 games (Saturday friendlies and midweek Sunday School League) while the same number of games in 1933 produced his best year for bowling when he took 119 wickets, a Club record. In all fixtures he took 100 wickets in each of seasons 1932, 1933 and 1934.

Ernie captained Cimla for nine seasons in all (also a record) including 1934 when the Club won its first trophy, the Sunday Schools Cup. That same year, Ernie represented the Neath Sunday Schools League XI against Glamorgan at the Gnoll where he was bowled by Emrys Davies for 2.

Ernie led the Club on either side of the war and, probably more than anyone, did most to ensure its survival. He continued playing until the age of 50, playing his last game in 1959.

Aside from his all round on the field talents, Ernie became secretary of the Club in 1927 and was responsible for building up the Club's fixture list from its humble "Sunday School" beginnings. He later doubled as Treasurer, 2nd XI scorer and ultimately President from 1984 - 1987 as well as serving as Treasurer of the Neath & District Rugby Union.

In addition to his sporting loves, Ernie served on the old Neath Borough Council and, following in the footsteps of two of the Club's other founding fathers (Alderman John Davies and R.T. Davies) he became Mayor of Neath in 1962/63.

Ernie died on March 27th 1988 but the family ties continue with Son-In-Law Robert Thomas and Grandson David Thomas going on to play for the Club.

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