Division One:
Tim helps Carew to early top of the table slot
Tim Hicks helped CAREW lead the division after three successive wins, this one against SAUNDERSFOOT by a massive 198 runs. Hicks was a top striker in Welsh League football but showed his cricket-ball striking was more than a match as he belted a blistering 142 not out to help his side to a massive 341 for 5 before shooting out The Seasiders for only 143 runs.Joining him in the run fest were Adan Chandler, with classy 77, Logan Hall (19), Ethan Hall (26), plus dad Brian, with 41 not out at the end as Tom Mansbridge claimed 2 for 53 as there was a wicket apiece for Sam Franklin, John Mansbridge and Usman Ali.
Scott Helmich (49) led the Saundersfoot response and there were cameos from John Mansbridge and Franklin but Iori Hicks (2 for 19) and James Hinchliffe (3 for 43) carved their response wide open and wily old fox Barry Evans, surely the slowest slow bowler in the county, grabbed 4 for 17 as Logan Hall also claimed a wicket in a win which shows The Rooks are already showing their strength in depth!
Close behind them are neighbours
CRESSELLY, who were almost as convincing at The Racecourse as they beat HAVERFORDWEST by a huge 132 runs. The Doves looked a little shaky at 40 for 3 but after Williams (23) and Kyle Quartermaine steadied the innings it was Alex Bailey who launched a counter-attack with 51 and then No 7 Tom Murphy blitzed 67 not out in only (45 balls) and had late support from Dan James (19 not out).The Town didn’t help their cause as they conceded 32 extras and worse was the fact that key opener Mikey Jones broke his hand whilst fielding and couldn’t bat – and only Jake Merry (59) ever looked settled as Rhys Sewell also chipped in 18 runs alongside his earlier two wickets.
They finished on 143 and already find themselves in the bottom two despite winning one of their three games.
Herbie show real grit to claim victory
Well done to promoted HERBRANDSTON as they claimed their first win to show they can hold their own at this higher level, showing real grit to win by 10 runs at LAWRENNY. Batting first, Herbie grafted their way to 215 for 9 as Harry Nichols and brother Jack scored 44 and 24 respectively, as Nathan Banner, Kristan Bennett and Dean John added some important runs against Rob Williams (3 for 26) and Ryan Morton (2 for 38) alongside a wicket each for Finley and Oscar Lewis.Finley Lewis (56) then batted well for the homesters, with lesser contributions from Harry Thomas, Oscar Lewis, Wil Nicholas and Will Allen, but Herbie skipper Robbie Hood (3 for 27) and Nathan Banner made a welcome return to bowling with 2 for 24 along with Harry Nicholas (2 for 37) and a wicket apiece from Charlie Malloy and Dean John as Herbie kept their nerve in a tense finale to take the verdict.
Burton win derby tussle
BURTON won their local derby against LLANGWM who have now lost all three games and sit at the foot of the table, as Dan Llewellyn’s top score of 56 was supported by Luke Hayman (40), Morgan Scale, Joseph Kiff, Jonathan Venables, and ‘Mr Extras’. Despite two wickets each from Llangwm’s Matthew Kiff, Steve Mills and Toby Asson in support of main strike bowler Noah Davies (4 for 30) they managed to reach 181 all out.It was a reachable target on an excellent batting track at Oatfield Park but Llangwm slumped to 4 for 2 and needed a rescue act from Noah Davies (25), and Chris Inward (46) before there were supporting roles for David Lewis, Matthew Kiff and Johnny Palmer.
But they were always behind the clock as Morgan Scale’s spin (4 for 32) and Luke Hayman (3 for 54) were the chief wicket-takers as Jack Davies and Jack Bevan gave support in restricting Llangwm to 151 all out. caused them problems.
Comfortable win for Neyland
Current champions NEYLAND were comfortable winners at thanks to match-winning performances with the bat by Paul Murray and with the ball from Jack Joh that saw them beat. WHITLAND in a high-scoring tussle for a second-successive win after a disappointing early loss.Murray led the way with an imperious 83 (14 boundaries) where a century looked almost a certainty at one stage, and with excellent support from co-opener Gregg Miller (37), Ross Hardy (23), Dai Davies (58) and Andrew Miller (43 not out) they reached 265 for 4.
Gopal Ramasamy claimed two of the home team’s wickets before Kevin Pearce got them off in the batting stakes with 67, followed by Geraint Jones (30) and Scott Newton (five 4s and four 6s in his 54) and help with 21 extras.
But Jack John showed his genuine pace with his splendid 6 for 30 haul, plus 2 for 8 from Hardy and a wicket each for skipper Scott Hannon and Tom Pritchard to give Neyland victory by 47 runs.