The first matches of the 2026 Pembroke County Cricket League got underway on Sunday 26th April, writes Jonathan Twigg, where no team returned the maximum points available in Division 1, despite the excellent weather conditions.
It was a day to remember for Herbrandston (136-0) as they travelled to Lawrenny (135 ao) and returned a 10-wicket win, all-rounder Charlie Malloy having a magical day as he took 8-57 after coming on first change, after the Gavanyards had reached 50 without loss, Oscar Lewis (20; 4x4) and Harry Thomas (36; 7x4) leading the way, debutant Rhys Daley the only other batsman in double figures with 11 (1x4).
Malloy then opened the innings and hit a six and nine boundaries in his unbeaten 53, opening partner Harry Nicolas ensured the home attack were in a pickle as he was unbeaten on 51 (7x4) when the game was won in the eighteenth over.
Defending champions Carew (161-2) returned from Burton (160 ao) with 19 points in an 8-wicket success after new skipper Iori Hicks invited his counterpart Dan Llewellyn's side to bat, Hicks returning 4-16 from his allotted 9 overs, Noach Davies supporting with 3-20 alongside Shaun Whitfield (3-44), home batsman Joe Kiff holding his side together as wickets tumbled, his 44 including a maximum and five boundaries before he was out on 7-3. It became 77-7 before an eighth-wicket partnership of 64 from Luke Hayman (31; 3x4) and fresh from his man of the match award the day before in the Senior Cup football final, Nick Jones also struck 31 (1x6; 2x4), the innings ending 6 overs shy of the 45.
The Rooks had little problem on the Oatfield track, wicketkeeper Morgan Grieve pummelling 68 (1x6; 8x4) as he added 111 for the second wicket with Brian Hall, who was unbeaten on 44 (5x4). Whitfield was also unbeaten on 25 (1x6; 3x4) when the game was won in the thirty-third over, having added the majority of the 29 runs from the third-wicket partnership.
The Athletic Ground in Neyland saw the home side reach 256-8 before the 'All Whites' restricted visitors Whitland to 165-8 to win by 91 runs, home captain Sean Hannon lost the toss but then donned his batting attire to top score from his opener's berth, with 76 (8x4). Fellow opening batsman Paul Murray (52; 1x6; 5x4) helped him add 90 runs before contributions from all-rounders Ross Hardy (26; 1x6; 3x4) and Alan Webster (25; 3x4) set the commanding total, the Borderers skipper Gethin Benjamin returning 3-44 and the evergreen Wayne Howells 2-40.
Hardy took the new ball and set the tone for the innings with 2-21, assisted by veteran spinner Andrew Miller taking 2-24 and Sam Laugharne 2-20. The visiting scorecard was built around middle-order contributions from Mathew Davies (37; 6x4) and an unbeaten 45 from Che Thomas (4x4).
Saundersfoot (183-3) set their season marker down as they defeated neighbours Cresselly (182 ao) by 7 wickets at the King George V field inside 28 overs, with all the top four batsmen reaching over 20 in their innings. Wicketkeeper Simon Stanford top scored with 63 (2x6; 10x4) as he added 75 for the first wicket before Tom Mansbridge (21; 4x4) became the first of Christian Phillips (2-47). Stanford was second out on 109-2 but Jon Mansbridge (23; 3x4) and Nicky Cope (36 no; 1x6; 5x4) took the score to 156 before Mansbridge fell to former Glamorgan quickie Tom Murphy who took 1-7 from his 4 overs.
Murphy top scored as opening batsman with 66 (1x6; 10x4) before he was out on 95-5, Phasant Gautam (4-19) and new ball partner Tim Hurle (2-41) and Jon Mansbridge the thoroughbreds in the home attack. The Doves were indebted to their middle order of Alyx Bayley (16; 2x4), teenager Charlie Arthur (23; 5x4), Dan James (15; 1x4) and veteran wicketkeeper Neilson Cole with an unbeaten 46 (8x4) to bring the scorecard to respectability.
The final game in the top echelon was between the two promoted sides from Division 2, champions St Ishmaels posting 122-9 on their Sports Field home pitch before veteran all-rounder Steve Williams dramatically ran out Narberth's (122 ao) Llew Jones (11; 2x4) off the game's final ball which had been bowled by Lewis Rhead to tie the game. Jamie McCormack (20; 3x4), all-rounder Loui Davies (12; 2x4), Ben Quartermaine (14; 1x4) and skipper of the Harrison Allen finalists Lewis Hough (15; 2x4) made useful contributions. Williams was the pick of the Mice attack, his off spin taking 3-16 with his son Tom snaffling 2-7 with his seamers, veteran left-arm spinner Andy Pawlett returning 2-24.
Jones (2-11) and Ben Hughes (3-18) helped reduce the Tish line-up to 34-6 before the Williams clan came to the fore. Steven was unbeaten on 17 (3x4) adding a crucial unbeaten 23 for the last wicket with veteran wicketkeeper Huw Scriven (10 no), Tom having accumulated 15 as he helped his uncle Andrew (24; 2x4) add 24 for the seventh wicket. Quartermaine took 2-15 and there was a wicket apiece for all-rounder Davies (1-34) and spinner Mathew Johns (1-12).
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