Division One

Carew have narrowed the gap just one point behind the leaders St. Ishmaels in Division One of the Imperial Garages Pembroke County Cricket League. Tish have 250 points, Carew 249 points and Cresselly 236 points in third place. On Saturday Tish were at Narberth and held the home team to a total of 113 for nine without the help of all rounder Steven Williams who was rumoured to be rejoining the club from Carmarthen Wanderers. Tom Richards however had rejoined Narberth in the week from Llangennech. Richards held the Narberth innings together with an excellent knock of 42 from 73 deliveries with two sixes and two fours before being caught by Tish skipper Peter Bradshaw behind the wicket off the bowling of spinner Daniel Flynn. The Hughes brothers opened the Narberth innings and were the only other batsmen in double figures. Ian Hughes scored 16 before being caught by Andrew Palmer off the bowling of Andrew Williams and Marc Hughes was run out for 12. For the visitors opening bowler James Salter and all rounder Andrew Williams both took two for 29 and Daniel Flynn two for 30. Tish also had an indifferent start in reply. Openers Peter Bradshaw and Andrew Salter both fell leg before wicket to Ben Quartermaine who also had Andrew Palmer caught by Daniel Hughes for one as the visitors were reduced to 40 for three. Jonathan Pawlett scored 19 before giving a return catch to Richard Howell but it was Stewart Kimpton who won the game for Tish with an innings of 52 not out from just 48 deliveries. Andrew Williams tied up one end when the pair came together with the Tish total of 65 for four as Kimpton set about the bowling. He hit two sixes and six fours and with the help of Williams steered St. Ishmaels to a six wickets win to keep the club at the top of a competitive table. Ben Quartermaine finished with figures of three for 47 and Richard Howell bowled very well to take one for 18 in his ten overs. Whitland caused something of a surprise in defeating Haverfordwest in a close game at Whitland. The visitors arrived without four key players with skipper Adrian Griffiths and all rounder Phil Kirkby attending different weddings, Karl Rhead unavailable because of work commitments and Simon Williams injured. Nevertheless Harfat fielded a strong side and were 94 for three after 25 overs following a second wicket partnership of 81 between Danny Potter who scored 30 with five fours and David Davies who scored 49 with seven fours. Richard James had been caught and bowled without scoring in the first over by Iestyn Scourfield. The Whitland bowlers started to make inroads into the Haverfordwest innings and although Stephen Phillips scored 33 and his brother Andrew 11 the visitors were bowled out 151 in the last over. Scourfield finished with excellent figures of four for 23 from ten overs, Mark Lee took three for 38 and Paul Webb two for 29. The Whitland reply had something of a chequered pattern. Openers Paul Webb and David Lee put on 41 for the first wicket before Paul Webb was caught behind by Huw Scriven off the bowling of David Davies for 23. Lee went on to score 32 before being bowled by spinner Nick Dyer but had a second wicket partnership of 47 with Paul Davies who scored 30. Kevin Pearce and Owain Davies had cameo knocks of 15 and 14 respectively but, when Pearce was stumped by Scriven standing up to paceman David Davies and Owain Davies was bowled by an unplayable ball from Clive Tucker, nerves became a little ragged in the Whitland camp. Batsmen played indiscreet shots or took risky runs and eight wickets were down when Mark Lee and Bobby Webb needed seven runs to win off the last over. Lee had taken most of the strike but Webb plundered a four to midwicket off the penultimate ball to give Whitland an exciting two wickets win with one ball of the match remaining. Lee was 11 not out at the end. For Haverfordwest acting skipper Nick Dyer had an excellent spell of three for 18, Clive Tucker gave nothing away in taking two for 17 from 12 overs and David Davies took two for 49. Lawrenny travelled to Carew without wicket-keeper batsman Christian Phillips following the premature death of his father David, the Lawrenny secretary and a former well-known football referee. The visitors were bowled out for 140 after a number of batsmen had got in but got out before going on to have big scores. Andrew Cole scored 32, Hugh Griffiths 31 and skipper Steve Lewis 26 with the other batsmen in double figures being Chris Buckle with 15 and Phil Cole with ten. All rounder Simon Wood took five for 28 in seven probing overs, Tim Hicks took three for 30 and spinner John Canton took two for 37. In reply Carew scored 144 for four to win by six wickets with almost two overs of the match remaining. Openers Wayne Cannon and Nick Scourfield had a first wicket partnership of 70 with Cannon scoring 43 including six fours and Scourfield 23. There were useful contributions of 17 and 19 by Brian Hall and Simon Wood respectively before Tim Hicks with 20 not out made sure of a Carew win with some help from Phil Jones in an unbroken fifth wicket partnership. Skipper Steve Lewis ended with figures of two for 37 for the visitors. As always the Carew cricketers were keeping an ear out for the scores 'Up the Hill' at Cresselly where the visitors Neyland scored 155 for eight. Skipper Andrew Miller top scored with 59 before being bowled by Huw Neale after hitting seven fours and was well supported with an undefeated 36 by the experienced Phil Sutton in a fifth wicket partnership of 64. Lee Summons chipped in with 23. For Cresselly opening bowler Huw Neale took two for 43, Richard Harris had a tight spell in the middle of the Neyland innings to take two for 22 from his 12 overs and the irrepressible Ryan Lewis picked up two wickets in the last over to finish with three for 22. Damian Arthur returned to the Cresselly first team at the expense of his brother Julian. Batting at number five Arthur scored 33 not out and had a key fourth wicket partnership of 59 with Adam Chandler who scored 33 in Cresselly's six wickets win. Arthur found the boundary six times in a fluent innings. Earlier Simon Cole scored 32 with five fours and Phil Williams 30. Henry Durant, Gary Lloyd, Patrick Hannon and Andrew Miller each picked up one wicket for the visitors. In the basement battle at Pembroke the visitors Burton scored 160 for six after a delayed start. The match was reduced to 38 overs a team because of the wet outfield. The Venables brothers had a second wicket partnership of 118 with Jonathan scoring 73 including nine fours before being bowled by Nigel Phillips who broke the partnership. James Venables went on to score 45 before being run out and there was supporting knocks of 15 by Richard Scriven and 11 not out by his brother Will in a Burton total of 160 for six. Chris Thomas took two for 47 for the Pembroke team who secured a draw with a total of 132 for six. Not for the first time skipper Barry Evans held things together with a rear guard innings of 58 not out. Evans had a partnership of 55 for the first wicket with Phil Stephens who scored 21 and Rob Weston scored 19. For the visitors evergreen all rounder Steve Jones took four for 40 and Mark Griffiths two for 27.

Division Two

Carew Seconds continued their resurgence with a commanding win away to Fishguard who were bundled out for just 62 chasing a Carew Seconds total of 145 for six. Openers Adrian Harries with 24 and Tom Davies with 31 gave the visitors an ideal start with a first wicket stand of 60. Steve Ive continued the good work with 24 and experienced all rounder Aled Davies maintained the momentum in his knock of 35. Nigel Morgan took four for 18 in 12 accurate overs for Fishguard. Brilliant bowling by Steve Ive who took eight for 24 backed up by two run outs gave Fishguard no opportunity to challenge the Carew total. Saundersfoot totalled 121 for nine in their away match against mid table rivals Hook. Mike Franklin scored 24, James Caine 22 and Ian Poole 18. For Hook Brennan Martin took four for 29 and Jamie Phelps three for 26. This season Phelps has been doing well with both bat and ball and once again top scored with 38 as Hook snatched a three wickets win upon reaching 122 for seven. He received more than useful support from Ben Field with 31 and Keith James chipped in with 13. Saundersfoot skipper Chris Parker took four for 37 and Danny Caine three for 35. Lamphey made the long journey north to Llechryd where the home team collapsed from 102 for four to be bowled out for 125 after winning the toss and electing to bat. Llechryd skipper Steve Smith top scored with 40 with six fours before being caught by Paul White off the bowling of acting Lamphey skipper Steve Vale. Dewi Davies backed up with 23. However Steve Vale took five for 33 and Jason Oatley two for 16 in 12 tight overs to prevent the Llechryd batsmen from breaking loose. Chasing the total after tea Lamphey were also well placed on 95 for five. However opener Paul White was bowled by James Heneker for 51 and it triggered a major collapse despite the efforts of Grant Cole, the only other batsman to get into double figures with 11. Consequently Lamphey lost by 21 runs after being bowled out for 104. Three Llechryd bowlers picked up three wickets each. Both James Henniker and Steve Curran took three for 24 and Alex Harding took three for 29. In other Division Two matches the leaders Llangwm were brought down to earth by struggling Stackpole who won by three wickets at Llangwm after the home team were bowled out for 167. There was also a bit of a shock for Haverfordwest Seconds who retained second place in the table despite crashing to defeat at home to Llanrhian. The visitors scored 153 for nine and then dismissed Haverfordwest Seconds for 101.

Division Three

Cresselly Seconds kept in touch with the Division Three leaders after having a "winning draw" away to Neyland Seconds. The visitors were bowled out for 123. Nick Davies scored 23 and Jim Kinnear 21. For Neyland Seconds all rounder Scott John took three for 15 and Mark Sutton two for 18. John was also on form with the bat and led the Neyland victory bid with his innings of 37 supported by Nicholas Kooman with 29. However wickets fell as Steve Thomas took six for 16 and Neyland Seconds settled for a draw upon reaching 99 for nine. A fine innings of 78 by Ross Edwards enabled the Burton Seconds to top the 200 mark and finish their innings on 214 for nine. Chris Stapleton took two for 13 for the visitors Hundleton who got to 141 for six in their 40 overs. Joe Dickson was the pick of the Burton bowlers and finished with figures of three for 42. Whitland Seconds were bowled out 100 away to Camrose and Spittal in reply to the home team's total of 124 for nine. Simon Davies took four for 29 for Whitland, Daniel Newton two for 17 and Rob Merriman two for 13. Mike Williams scored 28 of the Camrose and Spittal runs backed up by opener David Morgan with 23 and Phil Rees with 19. Three Whitland batsmen made useful scores. Duane Reynolds reached 32, Carl Stephenson 23 and opening batsman Meyrick Rowlands 20. However David Crane took three for 21, Darren Osborn two for 21 and James Griffiths two for 22 so that the visitors lost by 24 runs. Asher Stanford and Emyr Jenkins had a second wicket partnership of 56 for Narberth Seconds in their away match at Johnston. Stanford scored 38 and Jenkins 40 in an innings which included two sixes and three fours. However the pair lacked the necessary support and Narberth Seconds were bowled out for 123. For the Johnston team Gary James took four for 15, Steve Jenkins three for 21 and Steve Mills Junior two for 25. Although Narberth skipper Gary Hughes took three for 36, Chris Goodridge with 48 supported by Ross Dewstowe with 26 not out and Richard Davies with 17 not out took Johnston to a winning total of 124 for four.

Division Four

Pembroke Dock lost their top of the table spot following their surprise defeat at home to Maenclochog. Hog skipper Gary Nicholas set the example for his team with an undefeated innings of 54 including six fours after opening the innings for the visitors. He received support from Aled Davies with 22, Rob Nicholas with 16 and Jack Mason 13. For the Dock Neil Hallett took three for 29 and Nick Daley two for 25. None of the Dock's batsmen was able to get going against the visiting bowling attack. The Dock were dismissed for 79 chasing the Hog total of 134 for eight. Skipper Peter Kingdom and Steve Hartley scored 13 and Jonathan Davies 12 but there was a steady procession of batsmen to and from the crease as Rob Nicholas took three for 28, Aled Davies two for eight, Dai Jenkins two for 16 and Wayne Jones two for 22. St. Ishmaels Seconds have taken over pole position in Division Four after getting the better of a drawn game at home to Manorbier who were held to 82 for nine in reply to a Tish total of 148 for nine. Adam Davies scored 62 and Philip Cockburn 25 for Tish but the visiting batsmen found runs hard to come by in reply. Mark Meyrick's knock of 16 was the leading individual score for Manorbier. The match between St Florence and Llangwm Seconds ended in a draw. Put in on a damp soft pitch, the Llangwm batsmen did well to reach 119 for right. This was thanks to contributions from Sean Waller with 20, Chris Thomas with 30 and a good unbroken ninth wicket stand which saw David Lewis finish on 25 and Oliver Davies on 15. The wickets were shared amongst the Saints attack with Geraint Lewis taking two for 24, Ashley Smith three for 30, Peter Hall two for 20 and Steve Wilkins one for 26. St Florence started steadily in reply but when Peter Hall was dismissed for 24 the Saints were 37 for four. Geraint Lewis was then joined by skipper Steve Wilkins and the Saints were going nicely at 66 for four in the 28th over, when the Saints suffered a set back. Geraint Lewis having made 29, swung hard at the ball, over toppled and dislocated his knee, demolishing his wicket in the process. There then followed an agonising wait for the ambulance, which was swiftly on the scene. After careful treatment his knee popped back in and he was able to be taken to Withybush for further tests. The St Florence players and all cricket lovers wish Geraint a speedy recovery. Understandably the Saints then shut up shop as Steve Wilkins marshalled the lower middle order. Wilkins himself was out off the penultimate ball as he tried to hit a six which would have given St Florence the extra bonus point and the Saints finished on 85 for eight. The pick of the bowlers for Llangwm was Jonathan Brock with his delightful left arm spin giving him figures of four for 24 and Chris Thomas took two for 14. Lawrenny Seconds were bowled out for 62 in reply to a Crymych total 168 all out. Eurig Lewis hit three sixes and four fours in a quick scoring innings of 55 for the visitors supported by Osian Wyn with 49 including seven fours. In addition Murray Briggs contributed 19 to the total. For Lawrenny Seconds Willie Morris took three for 15, Alun Evans three for 30 and Simon Webb two for 41. Phil Williams was the only Lawrenny batsman in double figures with 14 as the Crymych bowlers took wickets at regular intervals. The experienced John Williams maintained his rhythm over eight overs to take four for 11, Murray Briggs took three for eight and Eurig Lewis three for 31. Haverfordwest Thirds reached a total of 170 for five at home to Pembroke Seconds. Matthew Thomas led the way with 62 and Ian Lloyd scored 27. Charlie Allen took two for eight for Pembroke Seconds who reached 106 for seven in reply. Two experienced players had the bulk of the runs. Colin Kaijaks scored 43 and skipper Simon Smith Wrench 24. Matthew Vaughan took three for 24 for Haverfordwest Thirds.

Division Five

At Llanddewi Velfrey, the local derby between Narberth Thirds and Whitland Thirds ended in a draw. Both teams share the ground and on this occasion Whitland Thirds were the visitors. Neil Rossiter held the Narberth innings together with a commanding innings of 62 which included five fours and he was backed up by a young hard hitting batsman, Brinley Toms who scored 28 in the Narberth total of 110 for nine. Ashley Evans took five for 25 for Whitland Thirds supported by Carl Smith with three for 14. Gwyn Phillips made sure that the visitors would hold on for a draw as he applied himself to score 32. Nathan Evans contributed 16 and there were 19 extras as the visitors held out on 98 for eight. For Narberth Thirds Brinley Thomas followed up his batting to take three for 12, Richard Evans took three for 21 and Huw Simpkins two for 24. Johnston Seconds got their heads down to score 137 before being dismissed away to Carew Thirds. Mike Davies scored 37 Gary Stephens 30; Steve James 30, Steve Badham 11 and Michael Court 11 not out. Carew leg spinner Daniel Rowlands a chip off the old block took four for 19. In reply Carew Thirds were in deep trouble at 59 for seven and were soon 72 for eight. However two old heads got together in an unbroken match saving partnership of 49 for the ninth wicket so that the Carew team finished on 121 for eight to earn a draw. Mark Hicks was 25 not out and Gareth Brace 22 not out and the pair defended well for 16 overs to save the day after the early collapse. Earlier in the Carew innings Joe Kidney scored 14 with Richard Cope and Guto Griffiths both scoring 12. For the visitors Michael Court took five for 36 and Nathan James two for 20. At Lamphey the visitors Llechryd Seconds reached a total of 144 for nine. Phil Leighton top scored with 42 supported by skipper Ian Carter with 24 and former skipper Steve Welch with 19. For Lamphey Seconds promising teenager James Skeels took three for 38, a slightly older teenager Lewis Haines took three for 22 and Andrew Dodd two for 23. Lewis Haines showed the benefits of playing most matches for the first team this season in a fine innings of 59 which included nine fours and skipper Andrew Skeels supported well with 36. For the visitors Malcolm McHugh took four for 27 and fifteen year old Dan Moulster two for ten. Just when it seemed that Lamphey might hold on for a draw John Quinney cleaned up the innings by taking four wickets in 11 balls without conceding a run so that Lamphey Seconds were bowled out for 115.

Division Six (a)

Saundersfoot Seconds picked up their third win of the season after defeating the visitors Hook Seconds by eight wickets. Sam Rossiter scored 24 and David Petrie 14 but lacked support for their colleagues as Hook Seconds were bowled out for 77. Grant Hardy took five for 25 and Chris Williams two for 15. Experienced opener Roger Stanford grafted for 32 valuable runs, Richard Thomas backed up with 18 and Toby Smith continued the good work with 20 not out, mostly in boundaries with one six and three fours. David Petrie bowled well for Hook in a tight 12 over spell and only gave away 17 runs. However once the batsmen saw him off, victory beckoned.