Following the third round of fixtures in the Pembroke County Cricket League on Saturday (May 10), all scheduled 29 fixtures were played with an impressive 8,404 runs scored and 363 wickets taken across the county.
Seven teams of the 54 playing in the County have maintained an unbeaten record, with none coming from Division 5 or 6. Pembroke Dock II (191-2) are perched on top of Division 5 after defeating close rivals Hundleton II (190-7) at Imble Lane, while the combined Haverfordwest5/Cresselly4 (94-4) lead Division 6 after defeating Whitland III (93ao) on the Racecourse.
Fishguard (197-8) overcame Lamphey (135-8) at Tregoes Park to maintain their position at the top of Division 3. Three teams remain unbeaten in Division 2: joint leaders Narberth (143-8) beat Burton II (139ao) at the Lewis Lloyd Ground; Hook (266-9) won a thrilling high-scoring encounter at Cresselly II (262-8) off the last ball when Callum James thumped a maximum; while Pembroke (145ao) overcame Llechryd (132-9) at Treleet to sit just a point behind the other two unbeaten teams.
Saundersfoot II (187-4) have opened up a ten-point cushion to lead Division 4 after defeating Pembroke II (186-7) at the King George V Field. In the top division, Carew (341-5) posted the day's highest score as they defeated Saundersfoot (143ao) at the Gerald Hicks Memorial Ground. Arch rivals Cresselly (254-6) are close behind after defeating Haverfordwest (122ao) on the Racecourse, maintaining the final 3-0 win record in Division 1.
Cresselly were invited to bat first on the Racecourse after skipper Tom Arthur lost the toss. Seamer Rhys Sewell (2-63) removed opening batsman Morgan Lewis and Charlie Arthur both cheaply, while veteran opener Phil Williams (23; 4x4) fell to Jake Merry (1-46) to leave the Doves 40-3, which became 58-4 when former Wales opening bowler Jonny White (1-29) claimed the prized wicket of Simon Cole (10).
Kyle Quartermaine (46; 1x6; 4x4) and Alyx Bailey (51; 3x4) redressed the balance with an 88-run fourth-wicket partnership, running well between the wickets to supplement their punishment of loose deliveries. Chris Phillips (2-71) claimed Quartermaine first at 140 and then Bayley 61 runs later, after the elegant middle-order batsman had taken his side over the 200 mark in conjunction with former Glamorgan all-rounder Tom Murphy.
Murphy finished unbeaten on 67 (1x6; 7x4) from 45 balls when the innings closed at 254-6, having pillaged 53 for an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership with vice-captain Dan James (19no; 2x4).
Haverfordwest resumed after the break with an unlikely opening partnership of Jonny White and Wil Phillips, as regular incumbent Mikey Jones was having an injury assessed at the local hospital for what turned out to be a broken thumb. Dan James (1-26) bowled Phillips (1) with the first ball of the third over, and an over later his new-ball partner Charlie Arthur (1-25) trapped the in-form Ben Field LBW.
White (10; 1x4) was run out with the score on 47, and Dan Field (4) was bowled at 54 with the introduction of off-spinner Christian Phillips. Phillips took the man-of-the-match acclaim as he ripped out the middle order to end with 5-22. The Town collapsed to 70-6 before Rhys Sewell (18; 3x4) steadied the ship alongside Merry. Merry (59; 7x4) scored more than half his side's runs before falling with the score at 112.
Tom Murphy (1-26) was too quick for veteran Clive Tucker, leaving the home side at 115-9. Jones came to the crease alongside debutant wicket-keeper Graham Jenkins (4no), sporting a bright red plaster cast on his arm. They took the score to 122, securing an extra batting point before Jones retired out, to leave the Doves victorious by 132 runs.
Carew (341-5) handsomely won the top fixture of the day by the biggest run margin of 198 runs after Saundersfoot (143ao) captain Yannick Parker had invited them to bat. The Rooks' top order showed their class as left-hander Tim Hicks posted 142 and Adam Chandler 77, before father Brian Hall with an unbeaten 41 alongside one of his twin sons Ethan (26), took the scoreboard beyond 300 for the first time this season in Pembrokeshire.
Tom Mansbridge took 2-53 as the pick of the seasiders' attack, but his side were unable to challenge the total. Seamers James Hinchcliffe (3-43) and Iori Hicks (2-19) left the pursuit in disarray, allowing the guileful slow left-arm spin of ageless Barry Evans to finish the game with 4-17, ensuring his side sit top of the league ahead of their fixture next weekend at Pills Park against rock-bottom Llangwm.
Burton (181ao) won the key relegation encounter at Oatfield Park against Llangwm (151ao) after home captain Toby Hayman decided to bat when he won the toss.
Hayman was dismissed for a four-ball duck in the opening over. Morgan Scale (19), Luke Hayman (40; 7x4) and Dan Llewellyn (56; 8x4) made valuable contributions, with Llewellyn and Hayman adding 91 for the fourth wicket. Noah Davies was the pick of the visiting attack, ending with 4-30.
The Llangwm response was immediately in disarray as skipper Mills was caught for a golden duck and Tom Rees fell for a second-ball duck, both in the first over. Noah Davies (25; 3x4) showed his value as he added 74 for the third wicket with Chris Inward (46; 3x6; 4x4). Toby Hayman (3-54) and Morgan Scale (4-32) were the main wicket-takers as Burton secured a vital 30-run victory.
James Morris Memorial Cup holders Neyland (265-4) moved into third place after their 47-run victory at Springfield over Whitland (218ao). Skipper Sean Hannon showed positive intent by electing to bat when he won the toss.
The All Whites posted an opening partnership of 97 in 17 overs through Paul Murray and Greg Miller (37; 5x4). Murray scored a run-a-ball 83 with fourteen boundaries before being dismissed, while former Haverfordwest talisman Dai Davies contributed 79 (6x4). Andrew Miller finished unbeaten on 43 (5x4).
Jack John claimed six wickets after the innings break, including the key wicket of Jonny Thomas. Scott Newton (54; 5x4) and Kevin Pearce (67; 10x4) added 103 for the fourth wicket before John's reintroduction in the thirty-first over swung the game decisively in Neyland's favor.
A fine all-round team performance from Herbrandston (215-9) earned them a 10-run victory at Lawrenny (205ao), with the final wicket falling when Nathan Banner ran out Rob Williams with two balls remaining as he attempted a second run.
Harry Nicholas (44; 3x4) and Nathan Banner (36; 7x4) laid the foundation with an 89-run partnership for the second wicket. The ageless pairing of Dean John (19; 4x4) and Kristian Bennet (22; 4x4) kept the scoreboard moving with a 40-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Lawrenny's response started well with an opening partnership of 48 before wickets began to fall regularly. Youngsters Fin Lewis and Wil Nicholas (18; 2x4) added 41 for the fourth wicket, with Lewis going on to make 56 (8x4). Wil Allen contributed 31 (1x4), but Herbrandston's skipper Robbie Hood (3-25) and the experienced Nathan Banner (2-24) ensured a thrilling victory for the visitors.
Narberth 143-8 (Louie Davies 93no; Mathew Johns 5-25; Harry Phillips 3-33) beat Burton II 139-AO (Wil Ridge 28; Martin James 25; Jon Scale 2-15; Aled Thomas 2-20; Dan Griffiths 2-32) by 2 wkts
St Ishmaels 156-AO (Jonathan Pawlett 57 & 2-29; Brennan Devonald 27 & 2-22; Steve Williams 3-25) lost to Carew II 161-8 (Ian Sefton 57; Sam Harts 4-32; Jacob Knox 2-32; Jeremy Griffiths 2-26) by 5 runs
Cresselly II 262-8 (Neal Williams 127no; Griff Jenkins 76 & 3-43; Iori Thomas 2-64) lost to Hook 266-9 (Jacob Lay 40; Liam Miller 36; Aled Phelps 36; Callum James 4-43 & 32no; Brennan Martin 2-45; Rhys Phelps 2-54) by 1 wkt
Llanrhian 153-9 (Simon Bachelor 52; Ninja Prabath 23) lost to Johnston 156-1 (Lee Summons 70no & 2-38; Lewis Boswell 33no; Chris Fitzpatrick 26; Nick Davies 2-25; Liam James 2-27) by 9 wkts
Pembroke 145-AO (Archie Hillier-Wood 58no; Krunel Patel 4-22; Ceri Brace 2-25) beat Llechryd 132-9 (Amillea Wilson 31; Tom Cartwright 3-20; Jamie Smith 2-20; Florian Cartwright 2-20) by 13 runs
Hundleton 112-8 (Craig Williamson 36; Ava Midgeley 2-25; Owen Hughes 2-31) lost to Haverfordwest II 113-6 (David Haynes 52; Ashoka Senavirithna 28; Kyle Wiliams 2-16; Fin Ateyo 2-16; Matthew Vaughan 2-16) by 4 wkts
Fishguard 197-8 (Nigel Delaney 85 & 2-16; Scott Delaney 34 & 3-26; Ashish Jayes 34) beat Lamphey 135-8 (Rob Mathias 46; David Dredge 3-26; David Blackwell 2-47) by 62 runs
Neyland II 59-AO (Rhys Beavis 3-52; Charlie French 2-36) lost to Laugharne 230-6 (Callum Collins-Davies 98 & 2-3; Ben Thomas 43; B Meredith 26no; Sam Lynch 5-13; James Allen 2-3) by 171 runs
Hook II 53-AO (Jack Phillips 2-24) lost to Pembroke Dock 57-3 (George Smith 5-18 & 28; Neil Gregory 4-15) by 7 wkts
Kilgetty 160-AO (Anthony Lewis 64; Jack Badham 41 & 2-23; Richard Webb 2-27) lost to Stackpole 161-5 (Josh Davies 89no; Marc Oglethorpe 3-13; Simon Bevan 3-27) by 5 wkts
Llangwm II 166-AO (Manny Davies 54) lost to Lawrenny II 167-0 (Alfie Buckle 103no; Steve Campbell 56no; Luke Cole 4-22; Jamie Lewis 2-16) by 10 wkts
Haverfordwest III 131-7 (Jason Stobbs 35; Suliman Safi 35; Dean Flood 2-17; John Ryan 2-20) beat Llanrhian II (Frazer Watson 32; Rick Walton 3-23; Tom Clarke 3-25) 129-8 by 3 wkts
Crymych 207-1 (Nitai Durey 119no; Steffan Williams 79no & 5-30) beat Narberth II 167-AO (Jordan Williams 110) by 40 runs
Saundersfoot II 187-4 (Steve Cook 78no; Michael Bailey 62 & 2-26; Prashant Guatam 2-29) beat Pembroke II (Rob Hearn 40; Will Davies 40) 186-7 by 6 wkts
Carew III 184-8 (Rob Hicks 55no; Rhys Cadogan 52) lost to St Ishmaels II 256-3 (Darren Hawkins 104no; Nathan Thomas 59; Peter Bradshaw 42; Kevin Bowen 3-25; Lenny Rees 2-32) by 72 runs
Herbrandston II 163-8 (Johnnie Lewis 79no; Dillon Lewis 3-7; Paul Nicholas 3-27) beat Haverfordwest IV 162-7 (Tom Baker 45 & 2-19; Sam Dewstowe 30 & 3-13; Gareth Fair 2-15) by 2 wkts
Llechryd II 149-8 (Ollie Roberts 44; Richard Fletcher 35no) lost to Whitland II 153-1 (Dafydd James 58; Jamie Thomas 57no & 2-27; Rhys Davies 4-10) by 9 wkts
Neyland III 143-AO (Joe Campadonic 27) lost to Cresselly III 205-7 (Tom Rowlands 72; Rhys Barnes 43no; Josh Richards 3-19) by 62 runs
Pembroke Dock II 191-2 (Luke Murray 82no; Anton John 40 & 4-10; Tom Grimwood 36no) beat Hundleton II 190-7 (Jonathan Williams 86; Richard Allen 26 & 2-4) by 8 wkts
H'West/Cresselly 94-4 (Arthur Jenkins 2-2; Jake Manuel 2-5; Cody James 2-13) beat Whitland III 93-AO (Kai Faulkner 37) by 6 wkts
Highest Score: Carew 341-5 v Saundersfoot (Division 1)
Top Score: Tim Hicks (Carew) 142 v Saundersfoot (Division 1)
Biggest win (runs): Carew by 198 runs v Saundersfoot (Division 1)
Biggest win (wickets): Lawrenny II (167-0) v Llangwm II (Division 4)
Closest victory (runs): 5 Runs - Carew II v St Ishmaels (Division 1)
Closest victory (wickets): 1 Wicket - Hook 266-9 v Cresselly II (Division 2)
Lowest Score: Hook II 53ao v Pembroke Dock (Division 3)
Highest Team Score: Carew 341-5 v Saundersfoot (Division 1) - Saturday (May 10)
Highest Individual Score: Callum Collins-Davies (Laugharne) 152no v Fishguard Division 3 - Saturday (May 3)
Best Bowling Performance: Phasant Guatam (Saundersfoot II) 7-12 v Lawrenny II - Saturday (May 10)
Rob Smythe (Pembroke) 7-15 - Sunday (Apr 27)
1 - Combined Haverfordwest / Cresselly side with their counterparts from Whitland lll after their Division 6 encounter.
2 and 3 - Neyland III and Cresselly III who faced off in Division Five
4 - Laugharne, who defeated Neyland II in Division Three - read our full report.
Photo Gallery (click to view in full)
