Carew sealed the Division One Title with victory over Neyland. Carew knew heading into the match that a 20 point victory would guarantee that the title would be heading back to the Gerald Hicks Memorial Ground. Neyland, playing away from home, won the toss and decided to bowl. The opening batting pair of Adam Chandler (63) and Tim Hicks (30) started strongly with an opening partnership of 73 for the hosts. This was until Dai Davies (2-53) caught Tim out off his own bowling. Davies’ other wicket dismissed Shaun Whitfield, who batted well for his 57 off just 32 balls. Ross Hardy was the key bowler for Neyland however, with his figures of 3-47 the best of any of his teammates, as Carew reached the tea break 278-8. Maximum batting points in their quest for the title, now was the time to secure the silverware with the ball. They started off strongly too, with wickets from Iori Hicks (2-46) and Shaun Whitfield (3-11) in the first two overs restricting neyland to 10-2. Rhys Davies (2-15) and James Hinchcliffe took further wickets of key Neyland batsmen, with Danny Potter the standout performer with the bat for the away side as he finished 40 not out. This saw Neyland bowled out in the 43rd over, with Carew sealing the title by 11 points.

Cresselly did everything they could on the day, as they were also on the winning side of a 20 point victory. They travelled to Herbrandston for their final game and chose to bat first. Tom Murphy helped get Cresselly off to a strong start, scoring 43 from the opening position before being dismissed by Dean John (3-52). In at number three was Charlie Arthur, who added yet another half century to his tally for the season, scoring 53 off 39 balls to help take the tally to 164-3 before he was dismissed. He made way for Alex Bayley, who went on to top score for the visitors from number six in the order. Bayley hit 63 off 53 balls without dismissal, sharing an 82 run partnership with Simon Cole (43) for the sixth wicket. Harry Nicholas was the other Herbrandston bowler to take wickets, as he finished with 2-44. However, Herbrandston were unable to prevent Cresselly from breaching the 300 run mark, as the visitors reached 308-6 at the tea break. Cresselly started strongly with the ball, with openers Charlie Arthur (3-30) and Dan James (2-39) restricting Herbrandston to 45-5 after ten overs. Dean John was the only Herbrandston batsman to surpass a score of 15, with his 60 off 42 balls by far the best score for the home side. His knock was put to an end when he was dismissed by Tom Arthur (3-17), with Christian Phillips (2-28) picking up the remaining two wickets. This saw Herbrandston bowled out for 118, as Cresselly fell agonisingly short of the title. As for Herbrandston, a positive campaign for them as they returned back to the top flight, as they finished fifth in the table.

Haverfordwest had to beat Burton on the final day to have any chance of remaining in the division for next season. They won the toss at Oatfield Park and decided to bat first. Opening bowler Luke Hayman (3-45) got straight to work, taking two early wickets to leave Haverfordwest 29-2. Haverfordwest opening batsman Paul Tough top scored for the visitors, picking up 58 runs before he was run out. Similar story for their second top scorer, Dan Field, who scored 32 best also being ran out. Jack Davies (3-44) and Gavin Campbell (2-51) picked up further wickets as Haverfordwest were bowled out for 194. In similar fashion to Haverfordwest, Burton also saw their second top scorer ran out. Toby Hayman opened well for his 36, before he was dismissed leaving the score at 71-2. He shared a 41 run partnership with Joseph Kiff, with the Burton number three smashing 78 off 68 balls to take Burton to 158-4 before his dismissal, with the home side needing 37 to win. Clive Tucker was the pick of the bowling for the visitors, with his 2-26 including the key wicket off Kiff. Dan Llewellyn entered at number six and added a further 21 runs, aiding his side in passing the target. For Burton, they secure their most wins in a Division One season and finish in seventh place, as for Haverfordwest, a return to Division two beckons for the Town.

Llangwm posted their highest total of the season, as they made the relegation battle between Whitland and Haverfordwest go right to the wire. With Llangwm playing at home, skipper Ollie Davies decided to bat first after winning the toss and went on to open the batting with wicket keeper Dai Lewis. Davies (27) was the first to fall, as he shared a 58 run partnership with his fellow opener. Lewis (49) also shared partnerships with Iwan Griffiths (35) and Jon Palmer (25) before falling for the third wicket with the score at 139. It was Jamie Thomas who took the key wickets of the Llangwm top order, as he dismissed both Lewis and Griffiths as part of his 3-48. Mike Williams also contributed with 29 from number eight in the Llangwm order before being dismissed by Wayne Howells, the pick of the Whitland bowlers with 4-38. This saw Llangwm bowled out for 224 in the 42nd over, an impressive total considering their struggles this season. In response, Whitland started extremely strongly with the bat. Ed John (42) and Gethin Scourfield (33) got the visitors underway, sharing an opening partnership of 72 before John was dismissed. Llangwm spin bowler Callum Jenkins (3-42) was the man to dismiss Scourfield, picking up his first of three wickets. This left Whitland 132-2. Whitland number three and wicket keeper Stefan Jones top scored for the visitors, smashing 67 off 37 balls before he was also dismissed by Llangwm’s Jenkins, leaving the score at 175-3. Iwan Griffiths also contributed wickets to go with his 35 with the bat, taking 4-26 in an attempt to restrict Whitland further. However, the damage made by the top order proved too much, as Ethan Ryan added a further 24 to help his side pass the target for eight wickets in the 32nd over. Whitland survive by 24 points, whereas Llangwm’s inevitable relegation was confirmed.

In the only match which didn’t affect either promotion or relegation, Lawrenny hosted Saundersfoot. The home side chose to bowl first, a decision which eventually paid off. Ryan Morton (6-24) and Oscar Lewis (3-14) shared the wickets as Saundersfoot were bowled out for 97, with Jon Mansbridge (29) the only batsman for the away side to reach a 20+ score. Sam Joseph (3-21) did his best to make life difficult for the home side, taking three of the four wickets for Saundersfoot. However, Finley Lewis (34no) and Troy Purslowe (32no) remained at the created to insure the six wicket victory for Lawrenny. This result saw the home side overtake Saundersfoot and finish in third place, with the away side finishing in fourth.

Photo credit: Carew Cricket Club