Bellerby ‘ton’ features in Neyland’s big run chase

Cresselly (230 for 7) lost to Neyland (231 for 2) by 8 wickets

 
Umpires: Trefor Evans & Arthur Brady
Scorers: Cerys Jenkins & John Laugharne
 
Neyland made sure that the league title race goes right to the end of the season as they chased down a challenging total set by Cresselly in what turned out to a run fest and set up a fascinating end to the campaign as they entertain leaders Lawrenny knowing that victory would prevent the opposition from taking the trophy for the first time.
 
Patrick Bellerby and Nick Koomen set off in pursuit of Cresselly’s 230 for 7 knowing the importance of a good start and they achieved just that in a productive partnership of 151 before they were separated – and they reached their target with eight wickets and 47 balls to spare.
 
After being asked to bat first, Cresselly were soon into their stride, after the early loss of Matthew Morgan, via Dan Sutton (eight fours in his 45) before he was stumped by Sean Hannon off Andrew Miller.
 
Skipper Iwan Izzard was also a key batsman with his imposing 86 before he was caught by Patrick Hannon off Patrick Bellerby having thumped eight fours and four big sixes. Simon Cole (13) and Christian Phillips (16) also chipped in but the vital late impetus came from No 6 Alex Bayley, as he returned to form with a blistering 59 not out that contained five huge sixes and a four.
 
For Neyland, Patrick Hannon (1 for 35), Andrew Miller (1 for 25), Brad McDermott-Jenkins (1 for 25 before he went off injured) and Patrick Bellerby (2 for 39) claimed wickets for Neyland, whilst skipper Sean Hannon also took off his gloves and pads to take 2 for 39 late on.
 
After the interval between innings, Koomen struck six fours and two sixes in his 71 before he was caught by Simon Cole off Christian Phillips but home hopes of a batting collapse were soon ended as Ashley Sutton joined Bellerby and provided the perfect foil for him to reach 105 before he was also caught by Cole, this time off talented teenager Ollie Berry, with 10- fours and four sixes to his name – and with his 50 coming from 66 balls and his reaching three figures in 112 deliveries.
 
Sutton finished with 37 not out and Nathan Banner was there with him at the end on 6 not out, as Neyland eased home with the minimum of fuss.






 

Skipper stars as Borderers hang on to survival hopes

Haverfordwest (132 all out) lost to Whitland (184 for 5) by 52 runs

Umpires: Neil Thomas & Allan Hansen
Scorers: Jayne Cole & Ann-Marie Jenkins
 
Whitland went in to their match at The Racecourse knowing that defeat could end their aspirations of staying in the top echelon but with Jonathan Thomas leading them by example with both bat and ball they stay marginally ahead of St Ishmaels in the battle to join Llechryd in making the ‘Dreaded Drop’.
 
Put in to bat by Haverfordwest skipper Dai Davies, Whitland made relatively slow progress early on as they stood at 41 for 1 in 20 overs – but after setting the solid base Wayne Howells and skipper Jonathan Thomas managed to increase the tempo in a stand of 93 before the veteran Howells was caught for a gritty 43 (two fours).
 
Scott Newton batted well for his 30 and Dylan Blain contributed double figures but it was Thomas, with a classy 79 (eight boundaries) that took his side to a very respectable score before he was caught late on by Ashley James off Johnny White as he went in search of more runs.
 
James bowled well for his 2 for 42 in the inexperienced Town attack alongside White (1 for 38), Jake Merry (1 for 42) and Archie Thomas (1 for 38).
 
Haverfordwest’s reply was based almost entirely on their three most experienced players as current captain Dai Davies (34) and previous skipper Danny Potter (26) joined ex-vice-captain Ben Field (44) at the top of their batting list.
 
But Whitland skipper Thomas had most of The Town batsmen in a bit of a dither with his canny slow stuff, which earned him fine figures of 6 for 23, supported by Scott Newton (2 for 33) and Gethin Scourfield (1 for 17) as Haverfordwest were dismissed in 43 overs in what has turned out to be a very disappointing season for them.





 

Morton and Marsh again feature in Lawrenny’s derby success

Lawrenny (126 for 5) beat Carew (125 all out) by 5 wickets

 

Umpires: Dave Bonner & Richard Merriman
Scorers: Malcolm Thomas & Julie Davies
 
Ryan Morton and Kurtis Marsh have been key figures in helping keep Lawrenny at the top of the table with one match left next weekend – and both were heavily involved as they won their local derby against Carew with wickets and overs aplenty to spare.
 
Morton certainly starred with the ball as he grabbed 5 for 33 in his nine overs alongside Marsh (3 for 22), Harry Thomas (1 for 31) and Rob Williams (1 for 11) so that only Tim Hicks (48, including four fours and a six), Sion Jenkins (17), Brian Hall (11), James Hinchcliffe (11) and Iori Hicks (a late 21 not out) took The Rooks to their less than challenging final tally.
 
But it soon assumed greater proportions as Lawrenny lurched to 2 for 2 and were still a little shaky at 42 for 3 as Rooks’ skipper Shaun Whitfield claimed 3 for 40.
 
Hinchliffe (1 for 17) and Ceri Brace (1 for 29) also claimed wickets for The Rooks but Morton managed double figures and Marsh maintained his superb form this season, which sees him with a three-figure average as he ended up unbeaten again on 65 (eight boundaries) as Lawrenny reached their target in 32 overs to set up that mouth-watering ‘winner takes all’ clash at Neyland next week!
 

Pawlett powers Tish to a vital victory

St Ishmaels (205 for 7) beat Saundersfoot (187 for 5) by 18 runs

 
Umpires: Dave Brandon & Gareth Brace
Scorers: Wendy Bradshaw & Adge John
 
St Ishmaels kept alive their hopes of survival in the first division with this win over  Saundersfoot where the visitors also had their chances of taking the verdict in a tense match which had minor interruptions for rain and was ultimately competed for over 40 overs per side.
 
And perhaps the key change of fortune came in the final ten overs of the Tish innings after they had scored 124 for 4 up until then – but Jonathan Pawlett was joined by a late 20 not out apiece from Andrew Pawlett and Andrew Williams as they scored 81 runs in that short time.

Put in to bat, Tish lost Peter Bradshaw second ball and Dan Richards also departed for a duck to leave them reeling – but Karl Rhead put his experience to good effect with 25 and Brennan Devonald set Tish on the road to recover with 49 (five fours and two sixes.
 
Then Jonathan Pawlett really went on the attack as he blasted nine fours and two sixes in his 83 to take his side to a challenging 205 for 7 despite the bowling of Tudor Hurle (4 for 30), Sam Franklin (1 for 10), Neil Powling (1 for 38) and Tom Mansbridge (1 for 64).
 
To be fair to The Seasiders they really gave chase via Danny Caine (six fours in his 55), Nick Cope (45), Franklin (12) and Yannik Parker (33) but although Paul Mansbridge (22 not out) and Dominic Green (11 not out) were unbeaten in a sixth-wicket stand they simply ran out of time to leave St Ishmaels as worthy winners!
 
 

Rain forces no action at Llechryd

 
Llechryd v Narberth (Match cancelled)
 
**Llechryd had been unable to cover their wicket the previous day because of very high winds and so the pitch was too wet for any play to take place.