PHOTOS:
Nathan Banner took three wickets and scored 47 not out for Neyland
Simon 'Doc' Holliday plays a sweep shot for The Town

Neyland's last pair seals superb success

Neyland (170 for 9) beat Haverfordwest (169 for 9) by one wicket

Umpires: Trefor Evans & Richard Merriman
Scorers: John Laugharne & Jayne Cole

There were scenes of jubilation at the Athletic Ground as current champs Neyland came back from what seemed almost certain defeat by Haverfordwest to win this top of the table clash by one wicket as Nathan Banner hit a six off the penultimate ball of the match.

Banner, who can justifiably lay claim to being the best all-rounder in the county, had already taken three wickets and when keeper Sean Hannon came to the crease Neyland were in a parlous state at 110 for 9. But Hannon is no mug with the bat and he and Banner gradually took Neyland to victory as the visitors gradually let the game slip away.

Batting first, The Town lost early wickets as Banner (3 for 42) and Gary Lloyd kept things tight, assisted by good ground fielding, but Simon Holliday kept the visitors’ innings from falling apart as he stayed until the 42^nd over for a gritty 67 that contained ten fours and a six.

Ajay Revu (33) and skipper Danny Potter (13) were the only other Town batsman to look anywhere near settled as Nick Koomen (2 for 46) and Andrew Miller (4 for 31) also bowled really well for Neyland as Haverfordwest were forced to settle on 169 for 9.

Sutton (30), Andrew Miller (32) and Nick Koomen (16) had been the only home batsmen to enjoy any success as Adam James claimed 4 for 46 and Nigel Morgan marked his return to the first team with 4 for 33 alongside slow bowler Ajay Revu (1 for 27).

But Hannon (15 not out) did his support job well alongside Banner (47 not out) so that they needed 12 off Revu’s final over and Banner belted a four, two and then that vital six to take his side to an amazing win that puts them 33 points clear at the top.
 

 Kyle leads Narberth to a winning draw

Carew (206 for 5) drew with Narberth (253 for 2)

Umpires: Denis Chiffi & Huw Davies
Scorers: Julie Davies & Peter Hughes

Narberth batsman Kyle Quartermaine showed what a talented batsman he can be with a splendid innings of 138 not out in a high-scoring draw at Carew, who did well to claim the draw as they responded with over 200 runs of their own after the visitors had amassed 253 for only two wickets.

Ritchie Adams (31) and the in-form Marc Hughes helped Narberth to a decent start before Tom Davies (1 for 45) and Rob Scourfield (1 for 13) claimed wickets for Carew – but then it rained runs for Narberth as Jordan Howell confirmed his potential with the bat as he stroked a boundary-sprinkled 51 in an unbroken stand of 190 with Kyle Quartermaine.

It was Quartermaine who caused the bulk of the damage when he smashed four big sixes and 13 fours as he sped into three figures and ended up on a splendid 138 not out.

Nick Scourfield (51), Tim Hicks (55), Tom Davies (30) and especially Rhys Davies late on, with 48 not out) made sure that Carew didn’t allow Narberth to get totally on top, although they did manage useful bowling by Ian Hughes (1 for 39), Kamal Sharma (1 for 54) and Richard Howell, helping out because of players being unavailable and showing he can still cut the mustard with 2 for 48.

Kyle Quartermaine salutes his superb unbeaten century for Narberth

 

Cresselly too strong overall for Seasiders

Cresselly (178 for 4) beat Saundersfoot (177 for 9) by six wickets

Umpires: Arthur Brady & David Loosmore
Scorers: David Richards & Adge John

Cresselly moved quietly into second place in the table as they gained a six-wicket home win over Saundersfoot, who are still condemned to bottom spot despite an improved performance.

The Seasiders have struggled to score runs of late but at least set a challenging total of 180 runs for Cresselly to chase thanks to James Caine (61, including seven fours), Nick Cope (four fours and two big sixes in his 50), and Jamie Morgan (36 not out late on).

For Cresselly, the most successful bowlers were Tom Murphy (2 for 38), Stefan Jenkins (2 for 21) and Simon Cole (2 for 13).

When Cresselly batted after tea they had a good start with an opening stand of 59 from Matthew Morgan (20) and skipper Phil Williams (31) before Simon Cole (45) and Damien Arthur (39) made sure that Cresselly would win with a little in hand – and talented teenager Harry Thomas rounded things off nicely with a brisk 28 not out at the end.

James Caine on his way to 61 for Saundersfoot

 

Lawrenny’s good form continues

Lawrenny (163 for 5) beat Llanrhian (160 all out) by five wickets

 

Umpires: Dave Brandon & Mervyn John
Scorer: Malcolm Thomas

Lawrenny maintained their good form of late as they restricted Llanrhian to 160 all out on a good batting track and then reached their target in the 45^th over, safe in the knowledge that they still had three of the opposition’s overs to use if they wished.

Ben Jones continued his recent form for Llanrhian with top score of 46 (five boundaries), supported by Dominic Wright (27), Gareth Davies (25) and Paul Lewis (23), whilst for the homesters the wickets were claimed by Rob Williams (2 for 32), Tim Mills (3 for 35), James Phillips (2 for 15) and Jamie Lewis, who celebrated his birthday with figures of 2 for 40.

Dominic Wright posed a threat for Llanrhian as he returned splendid bowling figures of 5 for 20 in his allotted 12 overs but no other Llanrhian bowler was able to provide the necessary support as Andrew Cole (30) and Patrick Elliott (30) laid the foundations for the home side and Ian Jenkins (38 not out) and Joe Kidney (14 not out) saw Lawrenny to a deserved victory.

Ben Jones top scored with 46 for Llanrhian

John and Thomas shine for Whitland

Whitland (264 for 3) drew with St Ishmaels (227 for 7)

Umpires: Allan Hansen & Rob Cousins
Scorers: Janice Webb & Wendy Bradshaw

The batting was certainly on top of the bowling at Whitland throughout the game as the home side amassed a huge 264 for 3 and St Ishmaels did well not to crack under pressure as they held out for the draw.

Paul Davies (26) played well alongside Ed John before getting out and then Jonathan Thomas again showed what a fine stroke player he is as he shared a partnership of 183 with John, who looked a certainty for a century as he struck 11 fours and a six in his 94 but was then caught by Daniel Richards off Tish’s new recruit Kevin L. Bowen.

Jonathan Pawlett (1 for 25) and Jordan Milich (1 for 14) also picked up a wicket apiece for Tish but Thomas moved sweetly to a superb 105 not out with 14 fours and a six as Whitland advanced to a huge total of 264 for only three wickets.

Peter Bradshaw (ten fours and a six in his 61) and Dan Howells (23) made sure there were no early alarms when Tish batted and although wickets fell to Mark Lee (2 for 26) and Scott Newton (5 for 61) there was useful batting by Brennan Devonald (24) before Andrew Williams (46 not out) was joined by Daniel Richards, making a welcome return from injury with an unbeaten 30, to ensure that Tish didn’t lose.

Jonathan Thomas contributed with an excellent knock of 105 runs for Whitland