Cresselly extended their lead at the top of the table to six points as they put 352 runs past Llangwm at Pill Parks. The game saw two centurions, as the league leaders won the toss and batted first. Phil Williams top scored for Cresselly with a magnificent score of 128 in a merciless knock for the visitors. Charlie Arthur joined him as a centurion in the match, continuing his fine form with a score of 106. Tom Murphy was the other man to pick up a 50+ score, adding a further 71 to the score. Gareth Brawn was the pick of the bowlers for a struggling Llangwm side, finishing 2-54 as Cresselly finished on 352-4 off 45. Ollie Davies top scored for Llangwm in return scoring 41, however he was no match for the bowlers in Cresselly’s arsenal. Tom Arthur was pick of the bowlers once again for Cresselly, picking up the impressive figures of 5-29. Christian Phillips (3-25) and Charlie Arthur (2-59) also combined to ensure Llangwm were bowled out for 132, resulting in a 220 run win for the league leaders.
Carew ensured that they remain hot on the heels of the leaders with their win over in-form Burton. Burton won the toss and chose to bat first at the Gerald Hicks Memorial ground. With Carew starting strongly due to Iori Hicks’ (3-30) impressive bowling limiting the Burton batsmen to 51-3. This meant Luke Hayman (40) and Jack Davies (57no) combining with a partnership of 92 to help see Burton reach 208-6 after 45. Carew got off to a strong start with the bat too, with Tim Hicks (46) and skipper Rhys Davies (34) combining with a partnership of 78 for the first wicket. This was until veteran Jonny Scale (2-35) saw Davies clip one through to keeper Martin James for the opening wicket. Ian Sefton (38) and Morgan Grieve (34) added further runs before Gareth Lewis (30no) and James Hinchcliffe (14no) remained at the crease to see Carew over the line, with the latter hitting a six with the scores tied to guide Carew to victory. 18 points for Carew, as they keep the pressure on neighbours Cresselly.
Haverfordwest remain under pressure at the opposite side of the table, as they were defeated by Lawrenny. Haverfowest, playing away from home, chose to bowl after winning the toss, with skipper Chris Phillips throwing the new ball to Clive Tucked and Will Phillips. However it was Simon Williams who picked up the best figures for the town, delivering the figures of 3-32. This didn’t halter Lawrenny too much though, as they reached 269-6 off their 45. Rhys Eynon (68) Harry Thomas (58) and Finley Lewis (50no) all picked up half centuries for the home side. In return it was Shan Perera (49) to top score for the visitors. He combined with Paul Tough (24) with a partnership of 43 for the second wicket with the score at 62. Captain Chris Phillips also contributed with a further 32, however Haverfordwest were to fall short by 87 runs as they were bowled out for 182. Oscar Lewis made up for his early dismissal with the bat with a four wicket haul for the hosts (4-43), accompanied by Ryan Morton (3-30) as the two picks of the bowlers for Lawrenny. Lawrenny pick up their eighth victory of the season and add 19 points to their league total, with Haverfordwest having a big task ahead if they are to secure survival in the top division.
Herbrandston continued their impressive season with an away victory over Whitland. They chose to bat in the Hendy-gwyn sunshine, with opening batsman Harry Nicholas continuing his rich run of form. He scored 62 to get Herbrandston off to a great start, sharing a partnership of 69 with top scorer Nathan Banner (86) before Nicholas fell for the third wicket. It was Whitland opening bowler Geraint Jones to put an end to Nicholas’ knock during his second spell with the ball. His 3-48 cemented him as the best bowler for the home side in this match. Herbrandston reached the impressive score of 264-6 off their 45 overs. In reply, Herbrandston started strongly with the ball. Robin Hood (2-43) picked up the first wicket of the innings in the first over, before two further wickets saw the Whitland scoreboard showing 86-3 in the 22nd over. Whitland top scorer Jonathan Thomas (66) and opener Gethin Scourfield (31) shared a partnership of 49 for that third wicket, with Glopal Ramasamy later arriving at the crease to add a quick 32 with a 200 strike rate, including three sixes. It was Nathan banned to put an end to the latter’s fire power, his first of two wickets (2-43) to go along with his runs in the first innings. Whitland were dismissed held to 207-9 after their 45 overs, seeing Herbrandston remain within eight points of third place as they continue their impressive return to the first division.
Saundersfoot’s win kept them above Herbrandston as they faced Neyland at home. Neyland won the toss, making it five out of five for away sides winning the toss this match day in Division one. They chose to bat first and were limited early on by the Saundersfoot bowling attack. With the score at 26-1 thanks to an early Tom Mansbridge (3-27) breakthrough, Andrew Miller, promoted to number three in the order, came to the crease for Neyland. He added 58 for his side, remaining at the crease until he fell for the eighth wicket after helping his side reach 191. Dai Davies also added 31 for Neyland as they finished 191-8 off their 45. Tom Mansbridge (27) also helped the home side get off to a good start with the bat. He built a partnership of 84 with fellow opening bat Gareth Edwards (49) before the first wicket fell. It was Brad Mcdermott-Jenkins to dismiss Saundersfoot top scorer Edwards, as he picked up the best figures of anyone in the Neyland team (2-20). Nic Cope remained at the crease for the home side, with his 53 not out helping Saundersfoot to pass the target in the 36th over. Saundersfoot remain in third place, with Carew slightly out of reach above them in second.
Photo credit: Saundersfoot Cricket Club Facebook
