This week Observer Sport takes a further look at the cricket averages compiled by Whitland cricket club skipper Paul Webb for the clubs in division one last season. Neyland and Whitland are the clubs under the spotlight this week. Neyland finished sixth in the division one table and Whitland were fifth. Neyland had three batsmen represented in the top 20 last season. Skipper Andrew Miller led the way with 400 runs at an average of 30.76, followed closely by his brother Greg with 390 runs at an average of 24.37. Stylish right-hander Paul Murray was not far behind with 388 runs at an average of 24.25, but apart from the leading three batsmen, none of the other Neyland batsmen topped the 200 mark. On the bowling front, Neyland were represented by two spinners in the top 20. Gary Lloyd took 20 wickets at an average of 22.25 and Phil Davies took 19 wickets at an average of 20.05. The quicker bowlers in the side were not quite so successful last season, although Andrew Phillips and John Jones did not play that many matches. Two left-handers Paul Davies and Paul Webb led the Whitland run scoring and were the only two in the top 20. Paul Davies scored 439 runs at an average of 36.53 and Paul Webb scored 407 runs at an average of 29.07. Opener David Lee scored 310 runs at an average of 22.14 and student Edward John another of the left- handers at the Whitland club scored 250 runs at an average of exactly 25. As was the case at Neyland the spinners led the way at Whitland. Skipper Paul Webb took 26 wickets at an average of 16.57 with his off spinners and the evergreen Meyrick Rowlands took 20 wickets at an average of 17.30. Opening bowler Mark Lee took 18 wickets at an average of 24.55 and student Robert Merriman will remember the season for his match winning performance at Cresselly with bowling figures of 7 for 33. One of the telling statistics for Neyland was that they were dismissed by the opposition eight times and only bowled out an opposing team four times. Although Neyland had three batsmen in the top 20, the team only topped the 200 mark on two occasions. Whitland fared a little better in that they were only bowled out three times and managed to bowl out the opposition five times. Whitland also topped 200 on just two occasions. Both clubs have been keen to develop young cricketers in recent seasons and a number of the younger players have made significant contributions in league cricket. However, one problem both clubs have to face is that a fair percentage of the younger players are students so that their availability can be limited. In addition they are likely to move away when they have completed their studies. Nevertheless, both clubs have a squad not only capable of ending the new season in a mid-table position, but also of challenging the big three of Haverfordwest, Carew and Cresselly.
