The Pembrokeshire Under 12s squad left Pembrokeshire at about 10.30 pm on Saturday, August 6, to drive to Weymouth to board the ferry for St. Hellier, to take part in the Jersey Festival. They arrived at their hotel some 12 hours later. After a quick swim in the pool, they had a three-hour net session using video equipment, which was followed by another swim. After the inevitable visit to a burger bar, an exhausted team slept very soundly that night. The team must say that the TotalFinaElf sponsorship and Sportsmatch funding which enabled them to purchase the video facility has been terrific - they now have video footage of most of the tour for expert analysis, and it was invaluable for their pre-season work as well. Day one - Monday, August 9 v Jersey at Farmers CC: Skipper Sam Kurtz won the toss and invited the opposition to bat. Steffan Davies and Sam Kurtz took the first two wickets for 46, but it was not until the 31st over that Sam Kurtz bowled their opener with 154 on the board and David Richards had the number four well caught by Scott Newton at 203, the score at which they declared for six wickets. In reply, Pembs. lost Patrick Bellerby (5), before David Lewis (10) and opener Steven Mills (26) saw the score to 62. Scott Newton (13) came in at number nine to boost the score somewhat, and the final score of 146 showed Pembs had a little stickability, but unfortunately not enough. Sam Kurtz was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 8-0-38-3 and David Richards with 5.5-1-22-2 Day two - Tuesday, August 10 v Dorset at Les Quennevais: Skipper Sam Kurtz again won the toss, but learned from the previous day and told the openers to get the pads on. Steven Mills (46) again opened and did a great job of underpinning the batting until he was caught with the score on 121. Scott Newton (11) and Brinley Toms (19) made very valuable contributions, with Morgan Scale (16 not out) and David Richards (5 not out) seeing Pembs on to 162 for 8 after their 43 overs. A better performance all round, in that the team had steadily built the innings from the start. The bowling attack was also much improved, keeping the batsmen well pinned down and giving away fewer extras. The fielding was also much sharper. The bowlers shared the honours, with Steffan Davies 8-1-23-2, Morgan Scale 10-1-29-2 and Steven Mills with 8-0-30-2. The openers gave their opponents a solid start, but once parted, apart from one somewhat belligerent cameo innings, their batsmen were under Pembs. control. They finished on 129 for 7, and Pembs. were in little danger of their score being passed. Day three - Wednesday, August 11 v North Hampshire at Les Quennevais: Ace caller Sam Kurtz again won the toss and got the team at the crease to try to set a handsome target for the opposition. Steven Mills was the natural choice to open and was out off the last ball of the match for a tremendous 92. He was well supported by James Cromwell (7), Morgan Scale (19) and David Lewis (25 not out) to set the considerable total of 223 for 7. An early strike by Steffan Davies was followed by a steady but slow loss of wickets to see their opponents at 143 for 5, after which they decided to see the overs out, finishing on 174 for 9 - Pembs couldn't winkle out their last man in spite of using eight bowlers. Patrick Bellerby had figures of 2-0-13-2, Rhys Morgan bowled well for little return 7-0-23-1, and Morgan Scale tossed them up in the air beautifully to return 7-1-26-2. Scott Newton, David Richards and Steffan Davies had one wicket each. Day four - Friday, August 13 v Jersey Beans at Farmers CC: 'Sam the man' won the toss again! Worth his place for his calling alone. Naturally he chose to bat first, and Steven Mills (15) and Patrick Bellerby (18) shared a half-century opening partnership, before Steven was well caught, giving him 179 runs from his four innings. David Lewis scored a spirited 24, with Morgan Scale (8), Brinley Toms (8) and David Richards (8 not out) adding some more. Pembs.' final total of 136 was disappointing, but the bowling had been the best they had faced. An early wicket in the third over lifted the spirits, and with another when the score was on 37, the team thought they may be able to spring a surprise. It was not to be as their opponents' next two batsmen settled well and scored steadily. One more wicket fell, so that their number five could come in and finish things off in the 21st over. Sam Kurtz, Morgan Scale and Steffan Davies were the only bowlers to draw any sting, but that was by no means enough. The Jersey Beans were an accomplished side and deservedly won the match. Summary: The team's target was to create a good team, who would work for each other continuously, and at the same time improve their own personal performances. Undoubtedly, both goals were achieved, and it was a happy minibus-load that returned to Pembrokeshire. Even the singing improved under the tutelage of the tour chorister, Ray Kane, who also umpired every game in his usual impeccable style. Team coach Nick Evans was unable to go with the team to Jersey, but his fine contribution during the season was enhanced by tour coach, Elaine Scale, who added her own special flair to produce good all-round performances as well as some very memorable ones.