St Ishmaels (129-6) continue their march to a swift return to the top echelon as they lead the race for the Dan Jones Cup in Division 2 after they travelled north to the RDM Oval and defeated hosts Llechryd (127ao) by 4 wickets after skipper John Curran elected to bat. Curran (34;5 5x4) and fellow opening batsman Kevin Evans (25; 5x4) added 61 for the first wicket before spinner Andrew Pawlett entered the fray to dismiss both as his 8 overs reaped 4-15. Brother Jonathan Pawlett took 2-10 and spinner Lewis Rhead had the opposition chewing toffees with his 2-18, late order batsman Graham Keen (16; 2x4), and Tom Beard (11no; 1x4) adding late runs.
Wicketkeeper Peter Bradshaw swapped his pads and gloves to opening the innings for the Mice, with a single four in his 21, fellow opening batsman Owen Thomas swapping his goalkeeping gloves for batting ones with 23 (4x4), Rhead striking a six and four boundaries in a top score of 27. Teenager Charlie Welsch showed his maturity with an unbeaten 20 (3x4) to see his side home, James Heneker the leading light with 4-20 for Cardigan based village side.
Harrison Allen finalists Narberth (225-8) sit seven points adrift in second position after they defeated promotion rivals Pembroke (90ao) by 135 runs at Treleet. Having been invited to bat, skipper Lewis Hough donned the pads and opened the innings with 61 alongside Louie Davies (31) as Ben Quartermaine also struck 48. Seamers Sam Davies (2-10) and Billy Wood (2-38) worked hard alongside Richard Pulman (2-44) for the home side. Quartermaine then took 2-18 and fellow seamer Ben Hughes (2-10) to stifle the run chase and with it the promotion hopes of Pembroke, skipper Phil Hay top scoring with 19, spinner Mathew Johns then parking the bus to end the innings with three wickets for 1 run.
Hook (225-6) remain in contention for promotion after they recorded a 155 run victory having been invited to bat by relegation haunted Llanrhian (70ao) skipper Simon Bachelor at the Recreation ground. Opposite number Aled Phelps top scored for the village side, his 59 including eight boundaries after opening batsmen Liam Miller (36; 4x4) and Rhys Phelps (21; 3x4) had added 55 for the first wicket. Jacob lay with an unbeaten 36 (3x4) and George James (22;3x4) helped their skipper take the score to 191-5 before he became one of Gwynant Watson 4-47 return.
The Cows opening batsman Russell Watkins scored 22 (5x4) of his sides opening 29 runs before he was the second wicket to fall on the same score, opening bowler Brennan Martin (2-10) joined by all rounder Callum James in the ripping the heart out of the response, seamer James taking 6-9 from his 8 overs, with four maidens, Don Harty unbeaten on 13 (2x4) when the game ended in the twenty fifth over.
Llanrhian find themselves 14 points from safety behind Carew (211-5) who lost to Cresselly (213-3) at the Gerald Hicks Memorial ground after being invited to bat by Dove’s skipper Josh Lewis who was one of seven bowlers used in an attempt to curtail the run scoring of Scott Richards (73; 1x6;8x4), Wales age group international Simon Wood (54; 3x6;1x4), teenager Logan Hall (29no; 4x4) and Gareth Lewis (23; 1x6;2x4).
Returning after a two year sabbatical, former first team skipper Iwan Izzard top scored after tea from his opening berth with an unbeaten 103, which included three maximums and nineteen boundaries. He was joined by teenagers Lewis Mason (27; 3x4) in adding 71 for the second wicket and Ollie Arthur (46; 6x4) in taking the score to 167-2, before Steff Jenkins (23no; 3x4) helped him blow the whistle on proceedings with an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 66.
The final game in the division saw basement side Burton II (116ao) lose a nail biting encounter at Oatfield Park by one wicket to visitors Johnston (117-9) who were indebted to former Carmarthen Wanderers and Llangwm top order batsman Steve Mills who plundered nine boundaries and three maximums in an unbeaten 77 to lead them home, Gary James also delivering double digits with his 12 (2x4) after opener Lewis Boswell ducked out early on due to his lack of speed between the stumps.
Opening bowler Aled Thomas took 4-24 alongside new ball companion, Harry Owen (2-21), Dan Griffiths had top scored with 28 earlier in the afternoon after Burton elected to bat, veteran left hander Phil Rees and Joe John adding 16 apiece, spinner Nicky Davies taking 4-23 and all-rounder Lee Summons 3-27 for the triumphant Tigers.
