1. Liam Miller (Hook) versus Pembroke Hook’s talented teenager Liam Miller produced a batting performance against Pembroke that even had hold hands like Jamie Phelps and Matthew Holder speechless (a rare event for either!) and saw his team reach their target 119 to win in only 13.2 overs, with him stroking 97 of them before he was caught out going for a six to reach three figures.
Both stalwarts of Hook were so impressed that it was a case of excellent stroke ply, rather then slogging, as he quickly amassed 14 fours and six sixes – and such was his flair that opening partner Jake Wicks, himself no slouch with the bat, had scored SEVEN RUNS when the total stood at 77 for 0!
Liam faced 54 deliveries before he departed just short of the target and then in came brother Lewis, who struck the ten needed in three balls faced!
And a last word from Pembroke skipper Jack Harries, who was suitably impressed as he sportingly told me,
“Let’s put it this way: it was impossible to set a field to, especially those that flew about 20 yards over the boundary!”
2. George Waters & Barry Evans (Carew) versus NarberthOne of Carew’s greatest strengths is the fact that when they have players missing from first team action, they can call on the services of second teamers because they are competing well just a section below with a great mix of talented young players and experienced older hands who are now in their twilight years but still serve the club well.
And that was in evidence as The Rooks entertained Narberth and won by the huge margin of 178 runs as the likes of Morgan Grieve, Rhys Davies, Tim Hicks and Shaun Whitfield got amongst the runs – but without a few first team bowlers they were still able to shoot Narberth out – and seven of the wickets fell to a promising young player and the oldest in the team as George Waters claimed 4 for 14 and was well supported by Barry Evans (3 for 27).
It shows George’s capabilities as a pace bowler and I’m always glad to see ‘Evs’ involved because sometimes he receives stick for bowling ‘pies’ but it is canny slow stuff that he has mastered. So well done you pair and good luck for the rest of the season, whatever side you are in!
3. Nick Koomen (Neyland versus Cresselly):Nick Koomen’s cricket has been severely restricted this season because of working across the border - but he showed what an asset he is when the league leaders comfortable accounted for old rivals at Cresselly.
Cresselly set a fairly challenging target but Nick grabbed 2 for 15 as part of the varied Neyland attack in which skipper Sean Hannon grabbed three wickets and canny slow bowler Andrew Miller added two more to his impressive list this season.
Then after Paul Murray and Patrick Hannon had got Neyland off to a good start it was ‘Mr Koomen’ who stepped in and there was little sign of ring rust as his sparkling 85 not out included four fours and also four big sixes as they won with overs and wickets to spare and keeps his side well clear at the top.
4. Ryan Morton (Lawrenny versus Saundersfoot):
It is sometimes hard for a cricketer to create an immediate influence on his team after a long spell out injured, especially if he is a youngster – and for Ryan Morton there has been an added pressure because he is in his first season of captain at Lawrenny.
But the all-rounder nicknamed ‘The Rhino’ showed his batting power in this match against Saundersfoot, whom they meet in next month’s Harrison-Allen Final, blitzing a vital 76 in their big total but saving himself from his usual bowling stint Harry Thomas followed his 38 runs with a 4 for 33 haul in support.
5. Charlie Arthur (Cresselly v Neyland):
Charlie Arthur has probably made more appearances in this feature than most but he was at it again against Neyland as he top-scored for Cresselly with 86 runs and also bowled well in defeat.
Charlie has also become a regular in the county squad at his very young age and is sure to be around as a key player in his team – and someone who is very modest about his high skill levels. Well done Charlie!
6. Jake Merry (Haverfordwest versus St Ishmaels):The rise in form of Jake Merry has coincided with Haverfordwest’s much improved form of late – and he played a big part in The Town’s win BY ONE RUN down at St Ishmaels. Both teams were desperate for points at the foot of the table and he struck 78 not out in The Town’s 200 for 8, ably assisted by Dan Field (50).
It seemed as if Tish might just reach that total but Jake featured again as he grabbed 2 for 41 alongside youngsters Will Phillips and Finley Lewis as Tish were bowled out just two runs short of victory. Jake is certainly a sporting all-rounder because he is also a first-team regular with Hakin United in the top echelons of Pembrokeshire Football!
7. Scott Newton (Whitland versus Llangwm):Scott Newton was another all-rounder who played really well in defeat as he performed with bat and ball, starting out with a 5-28 haul as his team restricted Llangwm to 151 for 9 and then was one of only three Borderers’ batsmen who managed double figures. Scott is another talented sporting all-rounder because he hails from a very sporting rugby family at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn, following his late father Roy and brother Dan in The Borderers’ back division.
8. Toby Hayman (Burton versus Herbrandston):Toby is another first-time skipper and he took his Burton team for a table-topper at Herbrandston and was again in fine fettle as opening bat as he stroked ten fours in his 98 before being caught in the deep and they looked to chase down the opposition’s useful tally.
He was joined by Joe Kiff, batting lower at No 4 but sadly the next highest score only had 14 and even worse than that was the fact that they needed two to win off the final ball of the match and couldn’t even manage a single to tie! It meant that Herbie leap-frogged over them at the top but for both teams there is still all to play for – and they already look certain to gain promotion.
9. Will Ridge (Burton 2nds versus Fishguard):Will Ridge received a mention recently for his excellent century in a previous game but he fell just three runs short of a terrific repeat as he and Martin James (67 not out) chased down Fishguard’s 178 for 8 without losing a single wicket! Will’s splendid 97 not out included boundaries aplenty and keeps them in a four-way race for the Division Three title. Well done Will bach – you are in a great vein of form – so enjoy it!
10. Jonathan Williams (Hundleton 2nds versus Llechryd 3rds):
Jonathan ‘taffy’ Williams has remained loyal to his home village team when at one time he could have played at a much higher level. And he is still at it today as he plays for the second team and in typical fashion rattled up 71 not out and then grabbed 3 for 19 as his team are now almost 60 points ahead in the table. ‘Taffy’ is one of the game’s genuine and most likeable characters and it is great to see him carry on the family tradition at the club as he follows his brothers Phil and Mark in the cricketing footsteps of his late father John.