Haverfordwest 2XI (129-1) pulled off a 9-wicket victory at the Hook Sports and Social Club against Hook 2XI (125ao). The 3rd division affair – which took place on Saturday (Jun 21) – was punctuated by a pair of strong wicket taking spells from Haverfordwest 2XI and a number of strong individual batting performances from both sides. The match was blessed by consistent and hot conditions, with Hook’s primary sponsor being GGT Thomas and Son.
Haverfordwest 2XI Captain Matthew Vaughan won the toss and elected to field, citing his team's strength with the ball. Hook’s Jamie Phelps (7;1x4) and Ifan Williams (46;2x6;8x4) came out to bat first, met by an opening seam partnership of Kieran Williams (0-26) and William Phillips (3-29). Phelps was dismissed in the fourth over by Phillips, who cleaned bowled him with a fine delivery. Ifan Williams on the other hand stuck in his crease for longer; he batted with technical quality and made intelligent use of the 35-yard hedge side boundary, totaling just under 50 before he too was bowled by Phillips. Hook 2XI’s two other batsmen to enter double figures were Bradley Flood (30;6x4) and Charlie Holder (13;1x6;1x4).
Hook 2XI’s middle and lower order struggled mainly due to a four wicket haul from injury returnee Simon Williams (4-37) who spun his way to success, including three bowled and one caught. The innings finished when youth player Dylan Lee (1-4) bowled Hook’s number 11 William Harries.
After the break, Haverfordwest sent out Max Rodrigues (41;7x4) and Nigel Morgan (45;8x4) to open the batting. They were met by bowlers Rhys Tennick (0-19) and Ieuan Hood (0-12) who had been tasked with preventing an early bleed. Unfortunately for Hook 2XI they struggled to dismiss the Haverfordwest batsmen with a great ball by Harri Evans (1-8) taking Rodrigues’ stumps and providing their only reprieve. Ashoka Senavirathna (33;5x4) came in at three and joined Morgan in ticking off the required runs. Much in the same vein as Ifan Williams, Haverfordwest 2XI’s batsmen made good use of the short boundary to turn usual twos into fours. The game was ended by Morgan, who scored a four whilst the total was equal, resulting in the 4 run margin that Haverfordwest led by.
In light of this result, Haverfordwest 2XI push clear of the 3rd division relegation scrap and sit firmly mid table, whilst inversely Hook 2XI find themselves in need of points in the second half of the season to secure survival.
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