League leaders Carew had a frustrating end to their match with Whitland as they failed to whittle out the visitors' batting in enough time to secure the win and had to settle for a draw, which could prove costly to their title challenge, against a side which was equally eager for points at the other end of the table and understandably determined to battle all the way in squeezing out every point they could for themselves.
With Carew being invited to bat, having lost the vital toss, Whitland made the best possible start as Mike Phillips clean bowled Ian Sefton from the first ball of the match. From there, Nicky Scourfield and Robert Hicks batted cautiously for the next 12 overs, advancing the scoreline to 22 for 1 as Mike Lee gave away a miserly 17 runs in his 12 overs.
Both batsmen eventually fell to skipper Paul Webb, Scourfield coming back to good form with 48 (five 4s and a six) and Hicks bowled by his rival captain.
Despite the fact that Steve Cole (22), James Owen and Darren Thomas all managed double figures, the final Carew tally of 157 for 9 was certainly within Whitland's reach, thanks to the tight bowling of Webb (4 for 38), Huw Devonald (1 for 34) and Paul Davies (3 for 26).
However, Whitland also struggled to get the ball away against Darren Thomas and James Owen, who finished with 4 for 26, scoring just six runs in the opening nine overs. Paul Webb (18), Dave Lee (26), Paul Davies (20) and Colin John did not surrender and Huw Bevan's unbeaten 22 left Whitland on 160 for 6, just short of the maximum draw points, but enough to keep them out of the bottom three places.
Meanwhile, a superb century by rising star Daniel Sutton saw current champions Lamphey to a relatively comfortable six-wicket win over near neighbours Pembroke at Treleet, and further close the gap on Carew at the top of the table.
After being put in to bat, Pembroke had a slow start as Nathan Gage bowled six maidens in his first seven overs. They lost Spencer Harries, caught by stand-in keeper Craig Nutty for 10 (two 4s) off Gage, leaving Pembroke 51 for 1 after 20 overs.
But then Ian Kerrison shifted Hughie Davies for 16, well caught by Daniel Sutton - and the eager Steve Vale struck as he bowled Matthew Mitchell and anchor man Barry Evans, who had faced 99 deliveries for his 33 runs, meaning that Pembroke stood at 96 for 4 with only 10 overs left.
The visitors were content to adapt to a containing game so despite the fact that Mark Fraser scored an unbeaten 29 and Gareth Scourfield struck 14 before losing his patience and being bowled by Dave Lovell, they were still only able to reach 149 for 5.
It was a target that was well within Lamphey's reach and Sutton showed he was in good form from the outset as he played a powerful hook shot for four off Spencer Harris's first over and followed up with a string of drives and cuts that had Pembroke on the back foot.
He reached 50 in just 43 balls and his century came off an impressive 81 deliveries, and with cameos from Craig Nutty and Brian Hall at the other end, it was all over bar the need for Nathan Gage and Ian Kerrison to knock off the last few runs in another brilliant all-round display.
The Lewis Lloyd Ground saw the clash of two teams struggling for points in the Ocky White Pembrokeshire County Cricket League - Narberth and Burton.
Batting first, Narberth struggled to make any headway as they lost in-form Wayne Howells for two as he pushed a Mark Griffiths delivery straight to opposing captain Richard Hayman in the covers. Griffiths also bowled Davy Johns for 14, but Mike Johns (43) anchored the innings well and shared a solid stand with Marc Hughes (33), who became another of Hayman's four catches.
Richard Adams chipped in with 25 and Ian Hughes was 11 not out as Johnnie Lewis claimed 2 for 18, Mark Griffiths (3 for 33) and Johnnie Scale 2 for 34.
Burton's innings followed a similar pattern as they lost wickets fairly regularly, but managed to keep up with the required run-rate against Wayne Howells (3 for 60) and Ian Hughes (1 for 40).
Other useful contributions came from Roger Burns (32), Ollie Shelldrake (30), Johnnie Lewis (24) and Chris Campbell (19).
Having seen Geoff Martin claim wickets off the third and fourth deliveries of Burton's 45th over, they were left with one run to tie and two to win and it was all down to veteran all-rounder Steve Jones.
Jones, always a danger with the bat, managed to scrambled a leg bye with Johnnie Scale, leaving Burton with a slight hope of avoiding the big drop back into division two.
A splendid 101 not out by Lawrenny opening batsman Chris Vincent, his second in recent weeks and third of the season, sent his side to an easy win against Folly Farm Kilgetty, who had batted first and reached a relatively healthy score of 189 for 7.
Kilgetty had reached such a respectable score thanks mainly to Windsor Royall and Simon Wood, who joined forces after Ian Poole (6) had departed with the score on seven and Geraint Davies going for 17 in the 11th over. Both players threw up some lovely shots as they added 81 runs in good time.
Woods departed having stroked eight boundaries in his 46 before he touched a Rob Williams lifter into Chris Phillips's gloves and Royall had advanced his score to 52 before being bowled by Steve Lewis.
Despite good bowling courtesy of Lewis (3 for 58) and Lawrenny skipper Rob Williams (37 for 3), a late flurry by Phil James (13) and Mark Wood (25 not out) launched the Folly Farm lads into the 200 mark.
But then the powerful stroke-player known to all at Lawrenny as 'Vinny', showed just why he is one the of the top run-gatherers in the county as he plundered a magnificent 13 fours and five big sixes.
'Vinny', pressing for a selection in the county team, was joined with Adrian Harries (22) in an opening stand of 90, and later Steve Lewis provided the perfect foil for Vincent as he rattled up 47 not out (five 4s and two 6s) to see the side home with more than six overs to spare.
Clive Tucker was the instigator of Cresselly's middle order collapse, as he grabbed 4 for 32, after they had stood strong on 91 for 2 in only 19 overs in pursuit of the Town's tally of 201 for 9, before slumping to 131 all out.
Tucker received good support from Steve Phillips (3 for 19) after brother Andrew had laid the foundations for Haverfordwest's total as he scored 94 not out.
The Town had made a good start with the bat, with skipper Johnathan Twigg and Andrew Phillips sharing a stand of 66 before Twigg, having struck five 4s, was bowled by highly talented teenager Mark Harris, as was Karl Rhead (10).
Paul Thomas again looked in good nick and he blasted three fours in his 21 as he helped Phillips take the score to a healthy 120 for 2 before he was bowled by Lyn Richards, who typified the Cresselly effort, bowling a good line and fielding well.
Fortunately for Haverfordwest, Phillips was in form, with 10 boundries and a six before he ran out of time just six runs short of what would have been a well deserved century, with home skipper Richard Harries taking over from son Mark as the main wicket-taker as he grabbed 4 for 41 in 11 overs. Regardless of this, the Town were still able to pass the 200 mark thanks to their first four batsmen.
Cresselly set off in reply without a contribution from Julian Arthur, normally an aggressive run-maker, who was bowled and caught by Adrian Griffiths for a duck with the score on five.
Phil Williams and Simon Cole added 41 runs, before Williams was well caught by Danny Potter off Steve Phillips for 17.
The Cresselly momentum was maintained, however, as Ryan Lewis joined Cole and started to attack the bowling. He looked a huge threat alongside the class of Simon Cole and they appeared to be forming a formidable partnership, taking the score to 92 in 19 overs, before Lewis was caught by Paul Thomas at long-on.
Clive Turner then claimed the prize scalp of Cole for 41 with the aid of a catch by 'keeper Huw Scriven and from then on it was only a matter of time as Adrian Griffiths also grabbed a brace of wickets and Darren Brick helped Tucker wrap up a disappointing Cresselly innings.
Results
Division One: Kilgetty (6) 189-7 lost to Lawrenny (28) 192-2; Pembroke (6) 149-5 lost to Lamphey (27) 150-4; Carew (19) 157-9 drew with Whitland (12) 120-6; Narberth (9) 172-10 lost to Burton (30) 173-9; Cresselly (8) 131-10 lost to Haverfordwest (30) 201-9.
Division Two: Neyland (29) 138-4 bt Narberth II (6) 137-10; Spittal (8) 178-7 lost to Hook (28) 180-7; Haverfordwest II (17) 138-9 drew with Johnston (12) 111-7; Llangwm (29) 122-5 bt Stackpole (6) 121-10; St. Ishmaels (30) 192-6 bt Carew II (6) 110-10.
Division Three: Fishguard (6) 126-10 lost to Llechryd (29) 128-5; Saundersfoot (26) 50-3 bt Herbrandston (2) 48-10; Hundleton (3) 57-10 lost to Cresselly II (30) 196-4; Lawrenny II (14) 151-6 drew with Cardigan (18) 163-8; Haverfordwest III (11) 109-7 drew with Llanrhian (18) 148-8.
Division Four: Burton II (9) 163-8 lost to Llangwm II (29) 164-8; Hook II (30) 171-4 bt Pembroke II (5) 118-10; Maenclochog (28) 0-0 0 St. Ishmaels II (0) 0-0; Crymych (23) 224-3 drew with Kilgetty II (5) 127-6; Whitland II (9) 155-8 drew with Manorbier (23) 225-7.
Division Five: Stackpole II (29) 137-10 bt Letterston (7) 65-10; Lamphey II (22) 223-7 drew with Spittal II (7) 126-4; Llanrhian II (18) 144-8 drew with Dinas (13) 120-9; Llechryd II (8) 93-10 lost to Neyland II (28) 100-10; St. David's (7) 131-7 lost to Burton III (27) 132-6.
Division Six: Pembroke III (8) 93-10 lost to Crymych II (28) 96-10; Herbrandston II (1) 40-10 lost to Llangwm III (26) 43-0; Letterston II (8) 99-10 lost to Whitland III (29) 149-10; Johnston II (28) 95-8 bt Saundersfoot II (7) 91-10; Stackpole III (7) 77-10 lost to Haverfordwest IV (30) 157-10; Pembroke Dock (28) 101-4 bt Hundleton II (5) 100-10.
League tables
DIVISION ONE
P W D L Bt Bl Pts
Carew 10 7 2 1 41 41 246
Lamphey 10 7 2 1 48 33 244
Lawrenny 10 4 3 3 47 33 190
Cresselly 10 2 6 2 46 35 178
H'west 10 3 2 5 42 35 158
Kilgetty 10 3 4 3 42 37 154
Whitland 10 3 4 3 40 34 141
Pembroke 10 3 3 4 38 32 137
Narberth 10 2 2 6 42 29 129
Burton 10 2 0 8 41 24 105
DIVISION TWO
Hook 10 8 2 0 42 44 271
Llangwm 10 7 1 2 40 38 233
St. Ishmaels 10 6 1 3 39 42 212
Neyland 10 4 4 2 36 42 189
Carew II 10 5 1 4 38 35 183
Stackpole 10 4 2 4 40 35 171
H'west II 10 1 6 3 43 29 130
Spittal 10 2 1 7 36 26 106
Johnston 10 1 3 6 32 34 100
Narberth II 10 1 1 8 30 25 76
DIVISION THREE
Llechryd 10 6 1 3 34 40 209
Llanrhian 10 5 3 2 38 33 194
S'foot 10 4 4 2 40 39 189
Fishguard 10 5 1 4 38 38 187
Cresselly II 10 4 3 3 40 34 182
Herb'ston 9 5 0 4 26 30 161
Cardigan 10 3 3 4 36 33 157
Hundleton 10 3 1 6 35 27 137
Lawrenny II 9 2 3 4 33 28 116
H'west III 10 0 5 5 39 28 87
DIVISION FOUR
Maenclochog 10 5 4 1 40 44 226
Crymych 10 4 5 1 43 36 213
Manorbier 10 3 5 2 39 38 199
Burton II 10 5 2 3 39 39 190
Llangwm II 10 5 1 4 39 33 175
Whitland II 10 4 3 3 33 35 157
Kilgetty II 10 4 4 2 34 32 155
Hook II 10 3 3 4 42 35 150
Pembroke II 10 2 1 7 38 30 119
St Ishm'ls II 10 1 0 9 25 20 65
DIVISION FIVE
Stackpole II 10 8 0 2 35 45 240
Lamphey II 10 6 2 2 35 42 225
Dinas 10 5 3 2 38 31 203
St. David's 10 4 2 4 36 38 166
Llanrhian II 10 3 4 3 32 35 164
Letterston 10 3 2 5 27 45 153
Neyland II 10 3 3 4 25 39 142
Spittal II 10 3 2 5 31 35 130
Burton III 10 2 3 5 35 39 130
Llechryd II 10 1 3 6 26 28 84
DIVISION SIX
Pem Dock 8 6 2 0 31 35 200 Crymych II 7 6 1 0 19 35 181
Narberth III 7 3 4 0 31 29 176
Carew III 6 5 1 0 29 28 172
Whitland III 8 5 0 3 28 32 160
Hundleton II 8 4 1 3 23 29 134
Johnston II 7 4 0 3 19 28 127
Letterston II 8 3 0 5 19 34 113
H'west IV 7 3 0 4 23 25 108 Stackpole III 8 3 0 5 16 28 104
Llangwm III 8 2 0 6 19 23 82
Pembroke III 7 1 2 4 19 20 60
S'foot II 6 0 0 6 14 22 41
Herb'ston II 7 0 1 6 14 14 28
Fixtures
Tomorrow's (Saturday's) fixtures are as follows:
Division One: Kilgetty v Pembroke; Lawrenny v Cresselly; Haverfordwest v Burton; Whitland v Narberth; Lamphey v Carew.
Division Two: Neyland v Spittal; Narberth II v St. Ishmaels; Carew II v Stackpole; Johnston v Llangwm; Hook v Haverfordwest II.
Division Three: Fishguard v Saundersfoot; Llechryd v Haverfordwest III; Llanrhian v Cardigan; Cresselly II v Lawrenny II; Herbrandston v Hundleton.
Division Four: Burton II v Hook II; Llangwm II v Whitland II; Manorbier v Kilgetty II; St. Ishmaels II v Crymych; Pembroke II v Maenclochog.
Division Five: Stackpole II v Lamphey II; Letterston v St. David's; Burton III v Neyland II; Dinas v Llechryd II; Spittal II v Llanrhian II.
Division Six: Pembroke III v Johnston II; Crymych II v Pembroke Dock; Hundleton II v Llangwm III; Neyland III v Whitland III; Saundersfoot II v Carew III; Narberth III v Letterston II.