Pembrokeshire (208 for 3) lost to West Glamorgan (209 for 6)
Venue: Glandy Cross, Crymych
Pembrokeshire entertained West Glamorgan in a friendly U13s game at Crymych Cricket Club recently, where the result was in doubt until the final over until the visitors edged home.
West Glamorgan won the toss and asked Pembrokeshire to bat on a firm wicket kindly prepared by groundsman, Euros Jones as a large crowd of spectators were present, enjoying the cricket and the beautiful, warm weather.
Solid start for County
Pembrokeshire began well with Max Brindley getting off the mark with a crisp boundary through cover point and Che Thomas looking solid at the other end but West Glamorgan’s opening bowlers were quick and didn’t give the batsmen many opportunities for scoring. After six overs the score was 12 without loss but first ball of the seventh over proved disastrous for Max, as he was bowled for 10 and two runs later Che was trapped lbw for 4.
Runs begin to flow
This brought Geraint Rees and James Davies to the crease and the fight back was on, as the pair put on a partnership of 127 with some excellent batting, before James was stumped for a well crafted 46 runs. This brought the hard-hitting Jacob Lay to the crease and he sent the ball to all areas of the ground in an undefeated knock of 47, including 8 fours and a 6. With Geraint Rees adding a career-best 69 not out, including 8 fours, Pembrokeshire attained their best-ever total of 208 for 3 in their 40 overs.
Quick runs for West Glam
After an excellent tea, courtesy of Mrs Eleanor Jones and her helpers, West Glamorgan’s response began rapidly, with N. Dalivaye hitting a quick-fire 32 before holing out at midwicket to Geraint Rees off the bowling of Ben Evans whilst Harry Evans hit 7 fours in his 46 runs before James Davies took a stunning return catch to end his innings.
Good fight back
Some good bowling from James Thomas, Ben Evans and Ewan Griffiths slowed the run rate and suddenly West Glamorgan wickets tumbled as there were two almost identical run-outs, following good fielding by Dan Llewellyn and Nicholas Jones, and Geraint Rees bowled Jamie Howells.
County unlucky in dramatic finale
Max Brindley found the edge of L. Williams’ bat and Kyle Williams took a superb one-handed catch behind the stumps. This left West Glamorgan needing 14 to win off the final over. There was drama as batsman J. Lewis hit to mid-wicket, where Dan Llewellyn caught the ball but unfortunately for Pembrokeshire, he was just over the boundary line, meaning a six had been scored. Another boundary off the third ball along with two dot balls meant four needed off the final two deliveries. Lewis was up to the task as he dispatched the penultimate ball to the square leg boundary and West Glamorgan had won with one ball to spare in a very exciting game of cricket, with Lewis their hero on 44 not out.
Disappointed but looking forward
Pembrokeshire’s players were naturally disappointed but should take heart from their performance, as they played very well and in many ways deserved to win the game. Hopefully the manner in which they played will give them confidence as they travel to participate in the Bromsgrove Cricket Festival next weekend.
Pembrokeshire U13s: Harri Dunn, Capt.(Crymych), Max Brindley (Kilgetty), Che Thomas, James Thomas (Whitland), Geraint Rees, Ewan Griffiths (Neyland), James Davies, Nicholas Jones, Dan Llewellyn (Burton), Jacob Lay (Hook), Kyle Williams, Ben Evans (Narberth).