Division Two’s unstoppable force of Hook 1XI (167ao) managed to push the league’s immovable object in St Ishmaels 1XI (164-9), the former scraping out their eighth consecutive win by only three runs. Hook chose to bat first after winning the toss, building a steady innings in which every batsmen had to partake. Owen Phelps (44;5x4) top scored, joined in his efforts by Aled Phelps (38;6x4) and opener Liam Miller (35;5x4). Lewis Rhead (4-22) was the bowler to watch for Tish, dispatching the hook middle order for few runs. Brennan Devonald (3-20) also took three, with Steven Williams (2-45) bringing a further two. After the break St Ishmaels set out on their chase, managing to just miss the total despite batting the full 40 overs. Opener Peter Bradshaw (76;3x6;7x4no) watched for the entire innings as his teammates came and went, the rest of the team collectively getting less runs than he did. Tish fell mainly to great opening bowling by Brennan Martin (4-13), alongside Aled Phelps (3-29) who dismissed batsmen eight through ten. St Ishmaels remain top of Division Two despite the loss, but are now closely tailed by Hook by 7 points.
Carew 2XI (117-3) put up a comfortable victory against Burton 2XI (115ao). Burton won the toss, electing to bat. Aled Thomas (21) and Jack Evans (20) scored the two biggest totals on the Burton side, the team in general unable to muster a strong attack of the Carew bowlers. Jeremy Griffiths (5-13) took advantage, bowling excellently to secure a cheap fifer. Carew made relatively quick work of passing the total, doing so in 26.3 overs. Logan Hall’s (41no) unbeaten near half century alongside Nic Scourfield’s (29) assistance did the damage for the winners. Burton sink yet further into the relegation zone whilst Carew sit right on the cusp at eighth.
Ninth in the league Llanrhian 1XI (143ao) pulled off a surprising upset win over third place Narberth 1XI (100ao). Llanrhian batted first after winning the toss, a collaborative effort from the likes of Jack Jones (26), Rhodri Owen (24no) and Russell Watkins (21) brought them to a respectable, if perhaps beatable, total of 143. Narberth’s bowling was as collaborative as Llanrhian’s batting, with four men taking two wickets each: Llew Jones (2-12), Ryan Williams (2-31), Lewis Jones (2-36) and Harry Phillips (2-30) respectively. In the second innings, Llanrhian proceeded to put up a strong defense of their total, ultimately putting Narberth down 43 runs short of their goal. Llion Williams (4-17) and Don Harty (2-15) gave Narberth too much trouble for them to hit the ground running, Shay Norcross (31) and Jack Tucker (18) putting up the most fight. Llanrhian will be hoping that this win can spark an end of season survival campaign as they try to close the 15-point gap between them and eighth place Carew. Narberth remain third, still within touching distance of promotion.
Pembroke 1XI (203-5) beat out Cresselly 2XI (174ao) by 29 runs. Pembroke batted first upon winning the toss, opener Ceri Brace (74;11x4) finding success early. He was supported by Paul White (37;3x4) and Gareth Long (60;5x6;4x4no) who scored his 60 from only 27 balls. Cresselly struggled to dispatch the Pembroke batsmen with Lewis Mason (2-39) the only bowler to strike more than once. After teas Cresselly failed to make the total, the last wicket falling in the 32nd over. Griff Jenkins (75;2x6;12x4) put up a commendable effort, though it was not enough to drag Cresselly over the line. Callum Davies (2-22), Richard Pulman (2-37), Sam Davies (2-28) and Ceri Brace (2-33) all struck twice, ensuring through a consistent stream of wickets that Cresselly could not reach their total. Pembroke sit in fourth following the win, whilst Cresselly are secure at seventh.
Johnston 1XI (228-7) defeated Llechryd 1XI (174-9) by 54 runs in a confident display. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Johnston were led by Lee Summons (100no), who anchored the innings with a composed 100. He was supported by Lewis Boswell (55) and Gino Cleal (15), who put up important totals. Tom Cartwright (2-35) and Duncan Blackburn (2-35) provided two double break throughs for Llechryd, the side’s best figures on the day. In reply, Llechryd struggled to gain momentum as Johnston’s bowling attack maintained pressure throughout. Despite an unbeaten knock from Joe Mansfield (77no), the visitors fell well short, 9 wickets fallen after 45 overs. Nick Davies (3-19) was particularly effective, supported by Liam Boswell (2-60) in his efforts. Johnston now tail Llechryd by a singular point, the former sits in sixth whilst the latter are placed fifth.
