St Ishmaels (77-1) put behind them their semi-final exit midweek in the Harrison Allen Bowl to remain top of Division 2 in the pursuit of the Dan Jones Cup, with a nine wicket success on the Dale Peninsula against basement side Burton II (76ao) on Saturday (Jul 19). Burton skipper Jack Evans elected to bat on winning the toss, contributing 13 (3x4) as his side fell to 39-8 before Aled Thomas (18;3x4) and Dan Griffiths (16no;2x4) added 25 for the penultimate wicket. Opening bowler Brennan Devonald took 3-16 before Andrew Pawlett spun his magic with 5-25 to end the innings two thirds the way through their allotted 45 overs. Home skipper Jonathan Pawlett was ted little time in securing victory after a dozen overs as he hit a six and eight boundaries in an unbeaten 50 after Harry Owen (1-13) had dismissed Lewis Rhead (2) on 9-1, opening partner, wicketkeeper Peter Bradshaw struck three boundaries in his unbeaten 17 in support of his captain.
Narberth (235-8) celebrated reaching the Harrison Allen Bowl Final after their midweek win over Saundersfoot by beating Johnston (164ao) at the Lewis Lloyd Ground. Jamie McCormack led the charge with 94 assisted by Rhodri Dyer (55), spinner Nick Davies with 4-72 and seamer Keegan Codd 2-53 wicket takers for the Tigers. The reply never got into full swing, Lee Summons (74) and Lewis Boswell (27) the run gatherers, opening bowler Lewis Jones (2-24), all-rounder Ryan Williams (2-21) and spinner Matthew Johns (2-29) dampened down any spark of a Johnston onslaught.
Close behind the top two are Pembroke (156-9) who failed by one run to overcome fourth placed Hook, who posted 157ao, Callum James (2-42) holding his nerve with the ball for the final over at Treleet where the home side managed 14 of the 16 runs, they needed for victory. An under the weather home skipper Jack Harries batted lower down the order and top scored with 28 (4x4) and wicketkeeper Andrew Hay (24;4x4) before number 9 George Morgan struck a run a ball 24 (2x4) to take the game to the last ball. Left arm opening bowler Liam Miller took 2-4 with the new ball from his allocated eight overs, before teenage seamer Jack Phillips tightened the screw mid innings with 3-17 as the Miners Village side keep their torch alight in pursuit of promotion, the top four all having fixtures between themselves in August to keep the neutrals interest.
Spinner Brace with 4-22 and Morgan (3-19) had kept the Hook batting in check earlier in the afternoon, late order batsman George James thumping three maximums and a four as he top scored with 37, opening batsman Rhys Phelps hooked five boundaries in his 28 as he added 36 for the first wicket alongside elder brother Owen (33; 5x4) before he was run out by Luke Butler. Last man Brennan Martin hit a six and a four in his 18 being the last man out three overs short of the allocated 40 overs for the innings.
Llanrhian (208-5) threw themselves a lifeline at Llandigigie Fawr as they beat the side a place above them in the relegation dogfight, Carew II by 36 runs as the Rooks managed 172-7 in reply. Top order batsman Jack Jones led the way once more for the ‘Cows’ with 79 (2;6;6x4) and Richard Reed an unbeaten 48 (2x6;3x4), with useful contributions from Llion Williams (28; 1x6;2x4) and opening batsmen Peter Lewis, who struck five boundaries in his 21 and Russell Watkins (20; 3x4) as they added 43 before Corey Hall entered the auditorium to remove both in his 3-36 for Carew. Hall was also unbeaten on 33 (4x4) when stumps were drawn after veteran opening batsman Ian Sefton had struck eleven boundaries in his 59, Williams followed up his batting performance to take 3-34.
Llechryd (229-9) overcame Cresselly II (216-9) by 13 runs, the visitors total before tea built around a 70 run opening partnership between Tomos Lewis (24; 5x4) and John Curran, the enigmatic all rounder contributing 86 with a brace of sixes and eleven boundaries off 81 balls, where he added 76 for the fourth wicket with Kevin Evans (50; 2x6;5x4). Corey Lewis led the Doves attack with the new ball, taking 3-36, before spinner Josh Lewis took 3-22, all rounder Jamie Smith contributing 24 (3x4) and veteran former Kilgetty batsman Johnny Lewis, an unbeaten run an ball 21 (2x4).
Skipper Lewis followed up his spinning contribution to the game by blasting three scoring shots over the boundary ropes in his quick fire 26, after his side were 1-2 in the opening over as former Neyland bowler Smith fired in his left arm seamers, where he finished with 3-18. Teenagers Ollie Rowlands (66; 8x4) and Ollie Arthur (61; 4x6;6x4) added 103 for the fourth wicket, Dafydd Davies taking 4-46 for the north county side in the victory.
