Keith Jarrett had a fine record as a schoolboy cricketer and rugby player whilst studying at Monmouth School. His success for the Welsh public school, saw the right-handed batter and seam bowler make his 2nd XI debut for Glamorgan during 1965 before two years later playing twice for the 1st XI in their matches against the Indian tourists at Sophia Gardens during May as well as during August in the contest with the Pakistani’s at Swansea.
It proved to be a brief taste of county cricket as Keith went on to win greater fame and fortune on the rugby pitch, playing at first for Newport RFC and winning 10 Welsh rugby caps between 1967 and 1969. He also toured South Africa with the British Lions in 1968 besides playing for London Welsh, before turning professional and playing for Barrow, Widnes and the Great Britain rugby league team.
Keith had first played as a centre for Abertillery RFC whilst still a schoolboy at Monmouth, and under the alias of ‘Keith Jones’. Keith switched to full-back after joining Newport RFC and it was his strong running in the number 15 shirt plus his powerful place kicking that led to his selection in the Welsh team.
Keith enjoyed a memorable debut in a Welsh shirt as aged eighteen he scored 19 out of Wales’ 34 points in their victory over England at the Arms Park in 1967. Keith suffered a stroke on the morning of the Wigan-Leeds match in 1973. He sadly suffered two further strokes in the next couple of years and had to give up his sporting career.
JARRETT, Keith Stanley
Born – Newport, 18th May 1948.
Best performances for Glamorgan:
In first-class cricket – 18* v Pakistanis at Swansea, 1967.
| M | I | NO | RUNS | AV | 100 | 50 | CT | ST | |
| First-class | 2 | 3 | 1 | 27 | 13.50 | – | – | – | – |
| Balls | M | R | W | AV | 5wI | 10wM | |
| First-class | 72 | 2 | 76 | 0 | – | – | – |