Neyland draw but increase their lead at the top

Neyland (234 for 8) drew with Whitland (186 for 9)

Umpires: Rob Cousins & Peter Perry
Scorers: John Laugharne & Janice Brick

Neyland were extremely disappointed that they failed to winkle out the last two Whitland batsmen in their high-scoring match at the Athletic Ground but then news filtered through that nearest challengers Haverfordwest had been thumped at Carew so Gregg Miller’s Men actually increased their lead at the top of the table to 38 points.

But they could still look at the fact that had they shifted Whitland’s ‘Tail-end Charlies’ Mark Lee and Scott Newton in the final four overs of the game they might actually have put their quest for the title beyond all reasonable doubt.
Neyland started impressively through Paul Murray and Gregg Miller before the latter departed for 31, with Ashley Sutton Four fours in his 50) replacing the Neyland skipper and sharing a stand of 92 with Paul Murray, who topped the Neyland batting chart with 11 fours to his name before he was out for 75.

Nathan Banner also contributed 34 against Dan James (1 for 28), Jonathan Thomas (3 for 69), Mark Lee (1 for 48) and Scott Newton (2 for 58) as the current league leaders finished their 45 overs on a challenging 234 for 8.
Steffan James (62) and Paul Davies (48) led the Whitland counter attack but only Ed John and Iestyn Scourfield, with 14 apiece, managed double figures outside this pair and with Nathan Banner (4 for 32), Nick Koomen (1 for 39) and Andrew Miller (2 for 44) amongst the wickets, Whitland did well to get so close in the final analysis.

*Neyland were sponsored by Scott John.

Ashley Sutton on the way to a half century for Neyland

 

Amazing contrast to start of both innings

Llanrhian (148 all out) lost to Narberth (175 all out)

Umpires: Les Hastings & Arthur Brady

Narberth showed their best battling skills as they twice fought back from adversity at thestart of each innings to beat Llanrhian at Llandigige Fawr.

The alarm bells were quickly in evidence after Narberth had been invited to bat first and they lurched to 10 for 6 in seven overs and Llanrhian made an excellent start in their innings with 100 for the first wicket – but Narberth still won by 27 runs.

Llanrhian’s Christo Arundel had a hat-trick that contained the prize scalps of Ben Quartermaine, Simon Cole and Arran Keane as part of a haul which eventually earned him figures of 6 for 25 as the key man in Narberth’s early demise. Luke Jones (1 for 19), Gareth Davies (1 for 29) and Nigel Delaney were the other Llanrhian wicket-takers but Narberth showed their resilience with excellent recovery batting by Mike Scale, Ian Hughes and Ben Hughes.

Scale had eight boundaries in his 46 as he shared a vital stand of 99 with Ian Hughes, whose terrific 69 included ten fours and a six. Ben Hughes added a brisk 30 not out at the tail-end of the innings and Narberth’s final tally was one that looked totally out of reach during that early batting mayhem.

Gareth Davies (11 fours in his 64) and Ben Jones (37) then took Llanrhian into three figures and with only 48 runs needed and ten wickets in hand they again looked certs - but Ian Hughes completed a terrific personal performance with 3 for 21 alongside talented youngster Sean Coaker (3 for 22), Wayne Howells (2 for 22) and Simon Cole (1 for 22) to earn Narberth victory.

*Llanrhian were sponsored by Alun Davies Art Gallery, Porthgain

Ian Hughes - excellent form with bat and ball for Narberth

 

Carew coast to big win over The Town

Carew (133 for 1) beat Haverfordwest (131 all out)

Umpires: Huw Davies & Allan Hansen
Scorers: Jayne Cole (Haverfordwest)

Carew showed that their early-season lack of form is behind them as they comfortably beat second-placed Haverfordwest by nine wickets.

Nitin Mathias (42) led the Haverfordwest batting after they had collapsed from 32 without loss to 38 for 4 as Steffan Davies looked the pick of the Carew bowlers with his eventual 4 for 26 haul alongside Rhys Davies (2 for 33), Martin Scourfield (1 for 19), Rob Scourfield (1 for 5) and Tim Hicks (1 for 2).

There were cameos for The Town from Huw Scriven, Nigel Morgan and Dan Cole (all with 15) and 14 by Mikey Jones as they were eventually bowled out for 131 runs.

Josh Wilment struck early for Haverfordwest straight after tea as he removed Ian Sefton in his first over but then Nick Scourfield and Brian Hall took complete control as the latter blasted ten fours and two sixes in his excellent 88 not out, with Scourfield as the perfect foil with his 36 not out that contained five fours and help Carew to 28 points whilst Haverfordwest could only pick up five points in response.

*Haverfordwest were sponsored by Maggs Optics

Brian Hall - slammed 88 not out for Carew

 

Llangwm batting crashes again

Cresselly (68 for 2) beat Llangwm (66 all out)

Umpires: Trefor Evans & Rob Bellerby
Scorers: Dave Richards & Janice Brick

For the second week in succession Llangwm’s batting failed to function and they were shot out for only 66 runs before Cresselly strolled to victory for the loss of two wickets – hardly the ideal preparation for Llangwm before the Harrison-Allen Bowl on Saturday.

Llangwm were quickly in trouble against Sam Harts and Bobby Webb as they lurched to 12 for 4 and although there were double figures for James Venables, Huw and Richard Brock no-one could stay long enough to build a decent score against Harts (4 for 25) and Webb, returning his best first team figures for Cresselly with 5 for 29.

Ryan Lewis (1 for 4) finished things off for Cresselly and although Andrew Harries (1 for 19) and Matthew Kiff (1 for 21) claimed wickets for the visitors it was soon over as Matthew Morgan started out with 22 runs before Simon Cole (26 not out) and Iwan Izzard (14 not out) eased Cresselly to victory.

Bobby Webb - first five-wicket haul for Cresselly bowler

 

Bradshaw boosts Tish’s play

Lawrenny (136 all out) lost to St Ishmaels (248 for 3)

Umpires: Dave Brandon & Tony Scourfield
Scorers: Malcolm Thomas & Wendy Bradshaw

A superb unbeaten century by opening bat Peter Bradshaw helped St Ishmaels to victory at Lawrenny to end his side’s recent run of three successive defeats.

Bradshaw shared in an opening stand of 150 with teenager Daniel Richards, who had four boundaries in his 48 before he was adjudged lbw off Steve Lewis’s bowling, and the momentum was maintained as Danny Flynn hit a quick-fire 14 before getting run out, and skipper Andrew Palmer belted a late 37 not out.

His innings contained three fours and a big six in another useful partnership with Bradshaw, who remained undefeated on 131 after 45 overs, a fine innings that included 13 fours and three sixes. Rob Williams (1 for 64) and Steve Lewis (1 for 51) were the only Lawrenny batsmen to pick-up any wickets.

Brad McDermott-Jenkins top scored for Lawrenny with 39, bravely returning to complete his innings after retiring hurt early on, He was supported by Steve Lewis (19) and Phil Cole (20 not out) but no-one else was able to stay long against accurate bowling from Andrew Palmer (2 for 31), Dean John (3 for 38), Danny Flynn (2 for 11), Andrew Pawlett (2 for 11) and Andrew Williams (1 for 23) as Tish were able to celebrate victory 112 runs.

*St Ishmaels were sponsored by Jean & Tony Williams

Peter Bradshaw - superb 131 not out for St Ishmaels opener