The Pembrokeshire U11s cricket squad recently returned from The Royal Medical School, Holbrook, near Ipswich, with no wins to their credit, but having taken part in a quality cricket festival against class opposition and, in most cases, gave a good account of themselves.

Playing, and staying, in wonderful conditions at this prestigious public school, the boys found their talents being compared with such powerful cricket playing counties as Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Bedfordshire, Norfolk, as well as the host county of Suffolk, who they played on the first day.

DAY 1: v. SUFFOLK

Pembrokeshire captain, Scott Arthur (Hundleton) won the toss and asked the opposition to bat in sweltering conditions that were to prevail throughout the festival. Masses of barrier cream and frequent drinks intervals were the order of the day as Suffolk lost their first wicket in the seventh over, when the pace of Rhys Davies (Narberth) got the first wicket with the total on 17.

Opening bowlers Davies and the left-armed Scott Helmich (Cresselly) were eventually replaced by Matthew Kiff (Llangwm) and another Rhys Davies, this time from Carew.

Whilst not taking any wickets, this pair continued to bowl economically and, after 18 overs, Suffolk were 29 for 1.

The introduction of spin bowling saw Nick Davies (Johnston) bowl opener Will Stott with one of his off-breaks for 13.

He was replaced at the crease by Suffolk's big hitting Joshua Davey, who immediately increased the tempo with some attacking flair, which resulted in boundaries to all parts of the ground.

Meanwhile wickets continued to fall at the other end to Nick Davies and young Iestyn Scourfield (Whitland), who has another year at this age.

Rhys Davies (Narberth) came back to claim another wicket, before the Suffolk innings closed at 167 for 5 after the allotted 46 overs, Davey finishing undefeated on 80.

For Pembrokeshire, Rhys Davies (Narberth) impressed with 2 for 20 off eight overs, while his namesake from Carew went for just eight runs off five overs. Off spinner Nick Davies stuck to his task well, taking 2 for 31 off nine overs.

One area for improvement was the extras, which amounted to 33 and included 19 wides, although the phenomenal heat did not help this cause.

In reply, Pembrokeshire were soon in trouble, and at 21 for 3 new batsman Jacob Davies (Cresselly) and opener Scott Arthur had a mountain to climb. These two, however, put their backs to the wall and took the score to 54, before Davies was bowled for a very useful 13, which included two 4s.

This brought Scourfield to the wicket, who showed why he's been picked for Wales at U11, with some early boundaries. The score progressed to 84 after 30 overs, before the batsmen decided, with four wickets down, to try to play out time for a draw. This they did to such good effect that, with an unbroken partnership of 57, the Pembrokeshire innings closed at a very creditable 111 for 4 after the allotted 44 overs.

Skipper Arthur played the anchor role, carrying his bat for 19 runs (two 4s), while Scourfield finished on an undefeated 31, which included five 4s.

A well earned draw, with Pembrokeshire showing a lot of character, and in almost unbearably hot conditions.

Pick of the host county's bowlers was paceman Jonathan Absalam with 1 for 8 off eight overs.

DAY 2: v. NORFOLK

Pembrokeshire won the toss and invited a very strong Norfolk team to bat first. Pembs made a great start by capturing the wicket of Robert Newton, who had scored a century in their first match, well caught by rookie Jonathan Thomas (Whitland) off the left-armed pace of Scott Helmich for four.

A catch behind by young wicket-keeper Phillip Cockburn (St. Ishmaels) off the bowling of fellow opening bowler, Rhys Davies (Narberth), soon had the Norse Folk in more trouble at 20 for 2. However, there then followed a remarkable stand of 160 between Jaik Mickleburgh and Angus Barton, before Rhys Davies (Carew) had Barton well caught by Kiff for a fine 76.

Davies followed this up with a second wicket, before Helmich returned to the attack to remove Mickleburgh for 87, the innings closing on a formidable 218 for 5 after the allotted 46 overs.

In reply, Pembrokeshire were never in the hunt and were bowled out for a very disappointing total of 47, scored in 24 overs, thanks to a late flourish by Jonathan Thomas, Rhys Davies (Narberth) and Lee Summons (Johnston).

DAY 3: v. BEDFORDSHIRE

Once again temperatures of 30-plus greeted the teams for the third and final day of the festival. Put in to bat first, Pembrokeshire openers Arthur and Cockburn got off to a steady start, taking the score to 20, before Cockburn was trapped leg-before for six in the ninth over.

Young Jonathan Thomas was promoted to come in at number three and, together with Arthur, continued to further the Pembrokeshire cause with some solid batting.

At one drinks interval, both batsmen asked for a bottle of water each and promptly poured it over their heads, such was the temperature in mid-afternoon!

They took the score to 68, before Thomas was bowled for a very useful 16. Arthur was eventually dismissed for a watchful 21 (2 fours) with the score on 87 for 4.

Bedfordshire leg-spinner Hitesh Patel then proceeded to tie down the batsmen to such an extent that only 27 runs were scored from the next 13 overs, before Kiff (13) with two 4s and Davies (Narberth) with nine (two 4s) got Pembrokeshire to 122 for 7 after the allotted overs.

Bedfordshire also found runs hard to come-by when they started their innings to the accurate Pembs. attack of Helmich and Davies (Narberth).

It was Davies (Carew), however, who made the first breakthrough by bowling Tom Wilmore for three in the 13th over. Number three batsman Sam Nicholls joined Patel to take the total to 73, before the latter holed out to Helmich off the tantalising spin bowling of Nick Davies for 27.

At 98 for 2, Bedfordshire looked set for a comfortable victory, but a tremendous effort from bowlers and fielders alike, saw a further five wickets fall to Helmich (2), Kiff and Davies (Narberth), with the irrepressible Joe Allen (Narberth) collecting an impressive run out with a direct hit, as well as a late catch. This all had the double effect of slowing the score rate.

Despite this great fight-back from a very tired squad, Bedfordshire eventually passed the Pembs. total on the fourth ball of the last over of the match.

Although returning without a victory, the Pembrokeshire boys can reflect on a festival in which they demonstrated a lot of courage and team spirit against strong opposition and in testing conditions. They will have benefited enormously from their experiences, and will be better placed in the future to put their natural skills, of which they have plenty, to better use.

The two opening bowlers, Scott Helmich (Cresselly) and Rhys Davies (Narberth), improved visibly during the festival and, if they continue to work at their skills, should develop into a formidable opening attack for the county in years to come. Off-spinner Nick Davies (Johnston) showed character by sticking to his task well in conditions that were not really helpful to his type of bowling, while Iestyn Scourfield and Jonathan Thomas (both Whitland, and a year young) showed promise with both the bat and ball.

Scott Arthur (Hundleton), led from the front, keeping wicket in two of the matches and opening the batting in all three – no joke in the heat prevailing! Despite this, he was at the crease batting for an incredible 92 out of a possible 114 overs.

There were notable performances in the field, particularly from Joe Allen (Narberth), who looked as good as any fielder at the festival. Tom Richards (Narberth), James Salter (St. Ishmaels) and Lee Summons (Johnston) also showed ability in this important department of the game. (Incidentally, Joe Allen also impressed everybody in a first night six-a-side football competition in which the county came second).

Throughout the festival, the Pembrokeshire boys were a credit to themselves, their families and their county, competing and mixing with boys from other counties on and off the field. The only problem the management had was getting Nick Davies up in time for breakfast!

The squad was expertly coached by Nigel Arthur (Hundleton), with some assistance coming from Rob Simons (Narberth) and Ray Kane (Pembroke), while Chris Richards (Narberth) did an excellent job with the baggage and transport.