Cresselly 1XI (248-8) maintain their top spot in Division One with a convincing win over Lawrenny 1XI (131ao). After losing the toss and being put in to bat, Cresselly seized the opportunity to put up a strong total. Kyle Quartermaine (81) and opener Phil Williams (41) had the two most impressive knocks, the pair only being stopped by Harry Thomas, who dismissed the former with his bowling and caught the latter. Thomas (3-59) was Lawrenny’s best bowler on the day, followed by Jamie Lewis (2-26) and Ryan Morton (2-61). Will Allen also had a notably strong fielding performance, taking three catches. Despite Lawrenny’s fielding efforts, they still only managed to keep Cresselly below 250 going into the break. This proved not to be enough, as Cresselly’s bowling attack – comprising mainly of Tom Arthur (4-27), Griff Jenkins (3-12) and Christian Phillips (2-26) – replied by bowling Lawrenny out for just over half of their total. Oscar Lewis (42) and Will Nicholas (31no) scored the most off the bat in the second innings, Nicholas holding his wicket as his team were all dismissed around him. Cresselly still stands at the top of the table, whilst Lawrenny sit in sixth.
Title chasers Carew 1XI (289-8) secured a sizeable 225 run victory against foot of the division Llangwm 1XI (64ao). Carew won the toss and batted, gunning at maximum points against their winless opposition. They certainly pressed their perceived advantage, as Carew opener Tim Hicks (108) scored over a century in only 69 balls. This was followed up by Noah Davies (100no) who scored a century of his own. Llangwm were not without any resistance however, John Palmer (4-42) put up strong figures whilst also dismissing Carew’s top three. Joshua Davies (2-32) and Oliver Davies (1-91) were Llangwm’s other wicket takers. After the break, Noah Davies (6-5) went on to earn himself the man of the match by also taking six wickets. Llangwm failed to get anything going with the bat when up against the likes of Davies, Shaun Whitfield (1-6) and Iori Hicks (1-18); Llangwm’s Dan Chesmer (29) top scoring with less than 30. Despite a maximum point win, Carew gain no ground on first place Cresselly who also managed full points. Llangwm sink further into the relegation zone, now requiring what would possibly be the greatest escape in cricket history to survive in the division.
Burton 1XI (201-7) beat Neyland 1XI (197-8) at home by three wickets. Neyland batted first after winning the toss, though floundered in the early innings with no one from the top five scoring more than 15. After that, Ross Hardy (123no) rescued the innings with a massive century including 9 sixes. Hardy’s teammates struggled against the likes of John Scale (3-15), Jack Davies (2-67), Morgan Scale (1-16) and Luke Hayman (1-40) who prevented anyone else from scoring more than 25. Burton set out on their chase in the second innings. Toby Hayman (69) put up a half century, which when combined with multiple smaller contributions from his teammates – most prominently Gavin Campbell (26no) – ended up being enough for the Burton train to chug over the line. Burton go away from the game relieved as they move further from the drop, whilst Neyland continue to struggle to find their form from last season.
Whitland 1XI (259-5) won over Saundersfoot 1XI (253-4). Whitland bowled first after winning the toss, setting their bowlers on the opening duo of the Mansbridge brothers. John Mansbridge (72) top scored for Saundersfoot, working alongside teammates Nick Cope (54), Gareth Edwards (38no) and Tom Mansbridge (24) to reach what must have felt like a defendable total. The game was light on wickets overall, with Whitland’s Jonathan Thomas (2-43) the only player on either side to take more than one. After the break, Whitland set out on a fine chase, reaching the total in just under 40 overs. Geraint Jones’s (108no) century and Edward John’s (59) fifty got their side most of the way, with smaller contributions from Ethan Ryan (31) and Jonathan Thomas (23) taking Whitland all the way. On the Saundersfoot side, five people took a single wicket: Tom Mansbridge (1-72), John Mansbridge (1-24), Prashant Gautam (1-41), Mike Bailey (1-40) and Nick Cope (1-44). This win might end up being crucial for Whitland’s survival hopes, whilst Saundersfoot now sit in fourth.
Haverfordwest 1XI’s (91ao) relegation worries continue after Herbrandston 1XI (205ao) beat them by 114 runs. Haverfordwest skipper Chris Phillips won the toss, electing to field. Herbrandston built their total steadily, batting the full 45 overs despite losing the last wicket on the final ball. Opening bat Charlie Malloy (50) put up the biggest total for his side, supported by Nathan Banner (41), Morgan Britton (42) and Dean John (42) who all contributed valuable runs. Herbrandston’s main obstacle was Haverfordwest’s returnee Jake Merry (5-54) who came on second change, dismissing Malloy before mopping up the lower order. Chris Phillips (2-28) was the other bowler to strike more than once for Haverfordwest. After teas, Haverfordwest found themselves unable to carry their form from last week's 304-run performance, in the end falling far short of the total they were chasing. Nathan Banner (4-29) did the majority of the damage for Herbrandston, joined by Harry Nicholas (2-4) and Dean John (2-10) in his success. Haverfordwest opening batsmen Nikhil Mathias (31) put up the biggest total, followed by usual bowler Will Phillips (17). Following victories for Burton and Whitland, the gap between Haverfordwest and safety increases once again. By contrast, Herbrandston now sit in a strong third position.
Photo: Herbrandston run scorers
