The first matches of the 2026 Pembroke County Cricket League got underway on Sunday 26th April, with no team returning the maximum points available in Division 1 despite excellent weather conditions.
It was a day to remember for Herbrandston as they travelled to Lawrenny and returned with a stunning 10-wicket victory, all-rounder Charlie Malloy having a magical afternoon.
Lawrenny were bowled out for 135, with Oscar Lewis (20) and Harry Thomas (36) leading the way after the hosts reached 50 without loss. Debutant Rhys Daley chipped in with 11, but once Malloy came on first change, the innings crumbled as he took a remarkable 8-57.
Malloy then opened the batting and struck an unbeaten 53, including a six and nine boundaries. Opening partner Harry Nicolas matched him with an unbeaten 51 as Herbrandston chased down the target in just 18 overs.
Defending champions Carew picked up 19 points with an 8-wicket success at Burton. New skipper Iori Hicks invited the hosts to bat and led the way with the ball, taking 4-16 from his nine overs. Noah Davies (3-20) and Shaun Whitfield (3-44) provided excellent support.
Joe Kiff held Burton's innings together with 44 before they were bowled out for 160, an eighth-wicket partnership of 64 between Luke Hayman (31) and Nick Jones (31) – fresh from his man of the match award in the Senior Cup football final the day before – bringing respectability to the scorecard.
Carew had few problems in reply, with wicketkeeper Morgan Grieve pummelling 68 and Brian Hall finishing unbeaten on 44. Whitfield was also not out on 25 when the game was won in the 33rd over.
At the Athletic Ground, Neyland posted an imposing 256-8 before restricting Whitland to 165-8 for a 91-run victory.
Captain Sean Hannon top-scored with 76 from the opener's berth, adding 90 for the first wicket with Paul Murray (52). Ross Hardy (26) and Alan Webster (25) bolstered the total, with Whitland skipper Gethin Benjamin taking 3-44.
Hardy set the tone with the ball, taking 2-21, while veteran spinner Andrew Miller (2-24) and Sam Laugharne (2-20) kept things tight. Mathew Davies (37) and Che Thomas (45 not out) offered resistance for the visitors.
Saundersfoot set their season marker down with a 7-wicket victory over neighbours Cresselly at the King George V field, chasing down 183 inside 28 overs.
Wicketkeeper Simon Stanford top-scored with 63, adding 75 for the first wicket with Tom Mansbridge (21). Jon Mansbridge (23) and Nicky Cope (36 not out) saw the job through, with all four top-order batsmen reaching 20 or more.
For Cresselly, former Glamorgan paceman Tom Murphy top-scored with 66 before being dismissed with the score on 95-5. Phasant Gautam was the pick of the Saundersfoot attack with 4-19, while veteran wicketkeeper Neilson Cole's unbeaten 46 brought respectability to the Doves' total of 182.
The final game in Division 1 produced the most dramatic finish as newly promoted sides St Ishmaels and Narberth played out a tie.
St Ishmaels posted 122-9 on their home pitch, with veteran all-rounder Steve Williams the pick of the Narberth attack, his off spin taking 3-16. Son Tom snaffled 2-7 with his seamers, while veteran left-arm spinner Andy Pawlett returned 2-24.
Narberth's reply was built around contributions from Jamie McCormack (20), all-rounder Loui Davies (12), Ben Quartermaine (14) and Harrison Allen finalists skipper Lewis Hough (15). Llew Jones (2-11) and Ben Hughes (3-18) helped reduce St Ishmaels to 34-6 before the Williams clan came to the fore.
Steve Williams finished unbeaten on 17, adding a crucial 23 for the last wicket with veteran wicketkeeper Huw Scriven (10 not out). Tom had earlier helped his uncle Andrew (24) add 24 for the seventh wicket.
With St Ishmaels needing to survive the final ball to secure the tie, bowled by Lewis Rhead, Steve Williams dramatically ran out Narberth's Llew Jones to level the scores – a thrilling finish to kick off the season.
Photos: Ashley Britton (Herbrandston CC)
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