County youngsters battle hard in defeat

 

Pembrokeshire under 12s travelled to Cardiff Cricket Club to take on Cardiff and the Vale under 12s in a friendly where the home county proved too strong on the day.

 

 

Pembrokeshire Under 12s won the toss and chose to bowl first but, due to illness, they travelled one man light so found it tough going in the field on a lovely hot summer’s day. Noah Davies and Harry Nicholas opened the bowling for Pembrokeshire and Noah got the breakthrough with John Mansbridge taking a lovely catch at point.

Ollie Wheeler bowled a lovely tight line taking 2 wickets for 18 runs but it was Noah Davies who was the pick of Pembrokeshire's bowlers, ending with 2 for 21 off his 7 overs. Jonny White was Pembrokeshire's other wicket taker.

 

Sam Hopkins was the pick of Cardiff's batsmen. He finished on 48 not out, very unlucky not to claim a deserved half century. Lewis Rees-Zammit was also unbeaten at the end on 28 not out as Cardiff posted 191 for 5.

 

 

Pembrokeshire's reply got off to a bad start, losing opening batsmen Ollie Wheeler for 4. Wickets fell at regular intervals in the first 15 overs as all of Cardiff's attack chipped in. John Mansbridge batted sensibly for his 17 as he secured one end. Noah Davies showed his class for Pembrokeshire, though, and he was desperately unlucky not to claim his half century, ending on 48 not out (8 fours). Noah shared a 50 partnership with Harry Nicholas (27) as Pembrokeshire ended on 133 for 8. 

 

Pembrokeshire, despite being well short of Cardiff's total in the end, showed plenty of promise in their first game of the season. The Under 12s play West Glamorgan away next Sunday at Tata Steel Cricket Club before playing Gwent at Haverfordwest Cricket Club on Wednesday 22nd of May.

Pembrokeshire Under 12s: Harry Nicholas (Captain, Neyland), Jack Nicholas (Neyland), Ollie Wheeler, Nathan Coaker (Narberth), Jack Scriven, Jonny White (Haverfordwest), John Mansbridge (Saundersfoot), Aled Phelps, Lloyd Bartlett, Noah Davies (Hook).