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Pembrokeshire under 10s
The Pembrokeshire under 10s cricket team recently enjoyed a great experience at the annual Aberystwyth Cricket Festival where coaches Ryan and Matthew Lewis guided the team through four matches, staged over three days at Vicarage Fields and Aberystwyth Cricket Club, where the organisers and grounds men provided excellent facilities.
Great start
On day one the team played a 35-over match against Eryri from North Wales. Eryri batted first, posting 63 all out and Lucas Davies led the way with three wickets, well supported by accurate bowling and good fielding from the whole team as Seth Willington pouched a wicket and a run out.
In reply Pembrokeshire set off positively with the whole top six contributing to a winning total of 66 for 4 with overs to spare – and a great start.
Battling spirit pays dividends
In the first of two T20 matches on day two, Pembrokeshire faced a strong Mid Glamorgan team and batting first the team posted an excellent total of 106 for 6. Evan Watts (52) and Josh Lewis (31) batted superbly, scoring runs all around the wicket, with Shay Philpin adding some late impetus.
In reply Mid Glamorgan built steadily, needing eight from the final over to win but Pembrokeshire showed real character as they took three wickets in that final over, with Mid Glamorgan ending on 100 for 8. The standard of fielding was excellent as Archie Wood kept wicket superbly. Zak Jones had a direct hit for a run out and Iori Humphries was on top form as the team motivator.
Morgan leads by example
In the second T20, a very strong North East Wales batted first and posted 112 for 2 despite a determined bowling and fielding effort from Pembrokeshire. Morgan Lewis led the way in the field, chasing hard and saving runs at every opportunity. Against a tight disciplined bowling attack Pembrokeshire found it hard to build momentum, ending up on 76 for 8. Despite the loss Lewis Miller (12) batted well, supported by contributions all the way down the batting order.
County lose in rain-affected match
Day three pitted the team against Cardiff and Vale in a rain affected match reduced to 22 overs. Cardiff batted first and set a competitive 103 for 2. Ben Callan was the pick of the bowlers with an excellent spell deserving of more reward. The Pembrokeshire openers found it hard to get away against tight bowling but Iori Humphries (18) came in and batted very positively to push the score on and Ellen Miller ended the match not out as she batted with real determination, putting away any loose deliveries. Against a strong attack and despite a valiant effort, Pembrokeshire closed short on 66 for 7.
Performances bode well for the future
The young team enjoyed the tour immensely, playing good cricket against quality opposition whilst demonstrating a great team spirit. All of the team produced performances that bode well both for next year’s festival (half of the team qualify for the under 10s again next season) and for the future of cricket in the county.
Pembrokeshire:
Evan Watts (Haverfordwest), Shay Philpin (Narberth), Josh Lewis, Morgan Lewis (Cresselly), Ellen Miller, Lewis Miller, Lucas Davies, Seth Willington (Hook), Iori Humphries, Ben Callan, Zak Jones, Archie Wood (Hundleton).