Pembrokeshire U11s talented cricket team finished off their season at the Minor Counties Festival at the Royal Hospital School in Suffolk.
Although they did not win any of their three games, the quality and standard was of a very high level, with the best young cricketers at his age in the country attending this prestigious festival.
The festival was organised by the former Essex all-rounder and former Zimbabwe coach, Don Topley.
The results were as follows: North Essex 128 for 5 Pembrokeshire 73 all out; Lincolnshire 159 for 7 Pembrokeshire 72 for 6 (rain stopped play); Norfolk 134 for 8 Pembrokeshire 131 all out.
Day One - Pembrokeshire won the toss and put North Essex into bat. Tom Murphy bowled his best spell of the season with pace and accuracy and was very unlucky not to take a wicket, but finished with figures of five overs, three maidens, 0 for 6.
The spinners played a big part in this game. Phil Llewellyn and Kurtis Marsh bowled well, but with no wickets, while Toby Poole continued his excellent leg spin with figures of four overs, 2 for 13.
The Pembrokeshire team fielded superbly, with two excellent catches by the improving Ben Palin.
Pembrokeshire lost wickets too often in their innings and did not build on any long partnerships to get the run chase going. Toby Poole was looking in for his 12, but was caught at mid-off driving.
The only other batsmen to score were Kurtis Marsh, with 13, and Liam Cullen, who stamped his authority on the game with 18 before he was caught looking for quick runs.
On the second day, the boys were up against a very strong Lincolnshire side, who won the toss and batted first to a good total of 159 for 7 in 45 overs.
Tom Murphy continued his form with two wickets, while the off-spin of Phil Llewellyn took three wickets.
Sean Coaker bowled with accuracy as normal and was well backed up by Ben Palin, Oliver Richards and Callum James.
Kieran Griffiths top scored for Pembs with 25, backed up by Murphy with 15, but with the side sx wickets down, the rain came and put an end to a very hard, but enjoyable game.
Final day of the tour and the boys were up to try and get a win when they faced Norfolk.
The boys were a little excited as the former England opening batsmen Nick Knight was watching this game as his nephew plays for Norfolk.
Norfolk batted first. Again the Pembs lads fielded and bowled excellently, with the spinners playing a big part - Llewellyn six overs, 2 for 8, and Poole six overs, 2 for 10.
Murphy and Coaker bowled well in their spells, backed up by Liam Cullen and Harry Phillips.
Pembs had a good start to their batting, with Kieran Griffiths and Phil Llewellyn putting on 60 for the first wicket.
Llewellyn went for 18, followed by Griffiths for 27.
The boys kept going, but were struggling to build partnerships, until the talented Kurtis Marsh hit a magnificent 34 not out, but he and the very courageous Harry Phillips fell short by three runs with two balls to go.
The large crowd enjoyed a fabulous game to finish the tour, but unfortunately the boys could not quite pull off what would have been a great victory.
All the tour party received certificates from Don Topley and went home very proud of their efforts and hopefully gained a lot from the very high standard of cricket that was played.
DISAPPOINTING DEFEAT IN regional semi-final
Radyr Cricket Club was the venue for the recent Welsh regional semi-final between Pembs U11s and Cardiff and The Vale, bringing together two of the strongest counties in Wales on what was a lovely day.
Unfortunately it was not a victory for the county boys, as they finished 86 all out, while Cardiff and The Vale managed 131 for 2.
Pembrokeshire captain Toby Poole won the toss and elected to bowl.
Pembs got off to a good start and Murphy and Coaker bowled very accurately in their opening spells, but without looking like taking a wicket.
Pembs spinners Llewellyn and Poole slowed the runs down, but with few chances going to hand in the field.
Ben Palin was the most consistent, with only 18 runs being knocked off him.
At tea, Pembs felt comfortable with the total they had to chase in the 40 overs.
Kieran Griffiths batted superbly for his 38, until he was caught, but again Pembs did not bat well enough in partnerships and were always chasing the game.
Liam Cullen got to 12, but the Pembs innings fell short with eight overs to spare, which left the coaches and team disappointed.
Nevertheless, the boys did well to reach this level as they won all games this season in their regional group.
The coach and manager would like to say a big thank you to the boys and parents for an excellent season in 2010.