Congratulations to Neyland on becoming champions of a Pembrokeshire Cricket for 2013 with two weeks still to go of their campaign.
Their enforced inactivity because of the horrible weather which swept across the county on Saturday means that they have a 63-point lead over Haverfordwest with just two matches to play and even the most ardent supporter of any team in the county would have to say that Neyland were absolutely worthy champs.
Gregg’s guided them home
It means that skipper Gregg Miller celebrates his first season at the helm with an historic treble, the first in the club’s history, of the Dr Morris Cup, the Harrison-Allen Bowl and now the James Morris Memorial Cup as league champions.
“We would have liked to win the title out on the pitch,” said Miller, “but after winning ten and drawing our other four matches I think we have shown our all-round strength.”
“We have also played one game fewer than all our rivals so I am delighted with our success and would like to thank my team for the way they have battled hard all season.
“We used to be accused of not having enough bottle to take silverware but I think this season we have shown we certainly have it now!”
Battle for second spot – and to avoid relegation
The battle for second spot seems to be between Haverfordwest (287 points) and Cresselly (269), with Carew (243) battling into fourth place despite their awful start to the campaign. St Ishmaels and Narberth are locked on 235 points and from there down there is still the dreaded issue of relegation.
Whitland (213) and Lawrenny (205) lurk just above the bottom two of Llangwm and Llanrhian, the latter already almost doomed to yo-yo back down. Llangwm, who reached the finals of both the Harrison-Allen Bowl and DR Morris Cups, are really under threat but they do have the possibility of an escape hatch.
Successful Seasiders
Village sides doomed
Stackpole and Lamphey are almost certain to drop down into division three and replacing them will be Hook and Llechryd, with the only issue being whether Hook (362) or Llechryd (352) go up as divisional champs. There is still a real battle at the other end of the table though, because Llangwm 2nds look likely to be relegated but could be joined by any one of Johnston 2nds, Narberth 2nds, Herbrandston, Pembroke Dock or Camrose!Neyland seeking more silverware
In Division Four, Neyland 2nds (307) and Kilgetty (304) are the front runners and favourites, but one can’t discount the promotion chances of Haverfordwest 3rds (286) or Burton (275) as Neyland seem to have the easiest run-in whilst the other teams meet each other at some stage.
The relegation issues in this section are definitely between Cresselly 3rds (109), Fishguard (111) and St Clears (115)!
Hundleton heading in the right direction
Congratulations to Hundleton on being runaway winners of Division Five and the likely promoted side alongside them appears to be Herbrandston 2nds – always provided that Herbie 1sts don’t get relegated from the third division, that is!
Camrose 2nds seem likely to make the dreaded drop into Division Six unless Gelly James’ Gang can close the gap on Narberth 3rds and Llanrhian 2nds.
Average points decide
Finally, the disparity in the number of fixtures played in division six, where there only seven teams, means that although Hundleton 2nds have 295 points their average of 21.0) puts them behind likely winners Llechryd 2nds, whose 262 points have been achieved at an average of 26.2.