The exceptional quality of cricket in local schools was demonstrated at the Pembrokeshire Secondary Schools U13 and U15 cricket finals last Wednesday. The competition is organised by Sport Pembrokeshire in association with the Pembrokeshire Association of Cricket Coaches. Over 200 pupils from nine secondary schools took part, with schools initially split into regions. In the north region are Ysgol Dewi Sant, Ysgol Bro Gwaun and Ysgol y Preseli. The mid region consists of Tasker Milward, Sir Thomas Picton and Milford Haven schools, while the south region includes Greenhill and Pembroke schools and Ysgol Dyffryn Taf. Each school played two matches in their region, which resulted in three group winners at both age groups. These were Ysgol y Preseli, Tasker Milward School and Greenhill School. With Tasker Milward unfortunately unable to make it to the finals day, hosted by Carew Cricket Club, Greenhill went head-to-head with Preseli in both age group finals. Greenhill School won convincingly in the U13s final, batting first and scoring 174 for 7. The top scorers were Jack Murphy, who retired on 31 not out, and Sam Butler, who retired on 32 not out. In reply, Preseli scored 60 all out. The best bowling figures for Ysgol y Preseli were recorded by Jack Pepper, taking two wickets. The top scorer for Preseli was Josh Hicks, who retired with 30 not out. Best bowling figures for Greenhill were by Elliot Morrison, who took four wickets (including a hat- trick) in just three overs. Greenhill again won comfortably in the U15s final. The team batted first and scored 140 for 8, with Patrick Elliot the top scorer with 27. In reply, Preseli were all out for 31. Preseli's best bowler was Connor Lloyd, who took four wickets in his four overs. Greenhill's best bowling figures were recorded by Ceri Brace, who took five wickets in his four overs. The Greenhill captains were presented with trophies as winners of Pembrokeshire, and shields were awarded to Preseli as runners-up in both age groups. Ben Field, cricket officer, said: "Both teams had done extremely well to get to the finals. Both finals were played in great spirit with wonderful sportsmanship throughout. The finals day demonstrated the strength of cricket in our secondary schools at present." He extended his thanks to umpires Alan Hansen, Tony Scourfield and John Williams, who umpired several of the schools matches. Clr. Rob Lewis, cabinet member for cultural services, sports, leisure and tourism, said: "I'd like to extend my congratulations to all the schools who took part, in particular Greenhill School and Ysgol y Preseli. "There are obviously some very talented young cricketers in the county." Two other cricket teams from Greenhill School have also enjoyed considerable success, with the Year 7 and Year 9 teams recently progressing to the Dyfed Finals. The Year 9 team came runners-up in the Welsh finals at Pontarddulais, on Thursday, July 17, while the Year 7 team will be playing in the Welsh semi- finals in September. Year 9 squad: Oliver Cole, Dominic Hicks, James Oakley, Jack Murphy, James Hinchliffe (c), Anthony Lewis, David Dunfee, Sam Franklin, Iwan Izzard, Alex Bailey, Sam Butler, Teague Galvin. Year 7 squad: Theo Hughes, Aled Waters, Jack Franklyn, Morgan Slate, Jack Tranter, Dan Allen, Andrew Barnard, George Wilkins, Norton Williams, Lewis Hicks, Oli Parsons, Jake Mahoney, Jerome Mansbridge, Marcus Read, Shaun Whitfield. Indeed, it has certainly been a memorable season for Greenhill, for this latest success means they have become winners of Pembs at Yr 7, 8, 9 and 10, finalists of Dyfed at Yr 7 and 9, and runners-up in Wales at Year 8.
