Defending champions Carew (111-0) took a march on their rivals on a rain-impacted league programme on Saturday (May 2) with a 10 wicket success at the Gerald Hicks Memorial Ground over visitors St Ishmaels, who were dismissed for 110 having been asked to bat by home skipper Iori Hicks.
The Mice could not gain any momentum in their scorecard, losing vice captain Lewis Rhead the first of four catches behind the wicket for man of the match Morgan Grieve, James Hinchcliff the bowler (1-13) before he was unable to bowl due to injury, his replacement Tim Hicks taking 3-18, including top scorer Brennan Devonald (22; 4x4) and number 3 batsman, teenager Tomos Williams (19; 3x4). No other batsman reached double figures, Shaun Whitfield taking 3-14 and teenager Logan Hall 2-17, skipper Hicks returning to the attack after using the new ball, to return 1-10.
Grieve then opened the innings stroking a maximum and seven boundaries in an unbeaten 54, Tim Hicks also recording the same array of boundaries in his unbeaten 55, the victory achieved inside 14 overs and before the rain fell, Carew leading the top echelon by 9 points from Saundersfoot.
The Seasiders had totalled 205-7 at the King George V Field before the rain prevented visitors Neyland from batting, opening batsman Tom Mansbridge with 46 (2x6; 3x4) and Nicky Cope with an unbeaten 78 (4x6; 7x4) the mainstays of the home side's innings, all rounder Scott Helmich striking four boundaries in his 21. The 'All Whites' had a brace of wickets apiece for new ball bowlers Ross Hardy (2-32) and Jack John (2-22), before veteran all rounder Alan Webster took 2-34.
Lawrenny find themselves bottom of the table despite having posted 297-7 at Springhill, Whitland, where the hosts reached 10-0 before the rain interceded. The Gavanyards' innings was built around captain Fin Lewis' 84, where he scored 66 in boundaries (7x6; 6x4). He added 105 for the fourth wicket with Wil Nicholas (48; 7x4) after Joe Kidney (26; 5x4) and opening batsman Harry Thomas (14; 1x6; 1x4) and Oscar Lewis (18; 4x4) had set the foundations. Former skipper Ryan Morton also took centre stage, thumping four balls over the boundary ropes with another three across the deck in his 48, Gethin Scourfield (2-47), veteran Mathew Davies (2-41) and Gethin Benjamin (2-61) the most successful wicket takers for the 'Borderers'.
Just above Lawrenny are neighbours Cresselly, the Doves were 30-2 before they were led off the field in their pursuit of the 203-7 set by visitors Burton, captain Dan Llewellyn leading from the front with 37 (4x4) before all rounder Nick Jones was unbeaten on 61 (4x6; 4x4). Martin James (18; 2x4) and Jonathan Venables (22; 4x4) at the top of the order contributed also, all rounder Charlie Arthur recording 3-38 having taken the new cherry, spinner Mike Shaw getting his teeth into the batting order with 3-41.
The final game of the day in Division 1 saw Narberth score 301-7 in their encounter at the Lewis Lloyd Ground, visitors Herbrandston 51-0 without loss when stumps were lifted.
Top order batsman James McCormack rifled 104 (4x6; 14x4) from 69 deliveries having come in first wicket down after Shay Norcross (55; 2x6; 9x4) and fellow opening partner Loui Davies reached 99-1, Davies wandering to 84 with ten boundaries as the hosts reached 249-1. Teenager Dillon Lewis stepped up with 2-23 alongside fellow 16 year old Morgan Britton (2-58), the Herbrandston reply was led by Harry Nicholas (32no; 4x4) and Charlie Malloy (11no).
