The Pembrokeshire U13 representative team returned triumphant from Llantwit Fardre recently after pulling off a fine victory against their counterparts from Mid Glamorgan: a strong regional side who, despite trying to hold on desperately for a draw, were finally undone in the last over of the match, courtesy of yet another medium fast swinging delivery from Rhys Davies (Carew), who returned match-winning figures of 4 for 16.
Earlier, county debutant Nick Kooman (Neyland) had scored an impressive 43 runs to help the visitors to a useful 150 for 7 after their allotted 40 overs.
Put in to bat first, Pembrokeshire got off to a good start, with the regular opening pairing of Scott Arthur (Hundleton) and Davies putting on 28, before Arthur played-on for a useful 13 runs.
He was replaced by Kooman who, after a nervous start, settled into a well-adjusted innings of all-round stroke-play. However, with the total on 65 and his own score 16, Davies was caught in the deep trying to increase the run-rate.
The next batsman in, James Salter (St. Ishmaels), fell foul of a short ball that simply didn't bounce, and was bowled trying to pull, for one.
Matthew Kiff (Llangwm) also perished in the search for quick runs, with his total six. This brought Lee Summons (Johnston) to join Kooman and, between them, they amassed 42 runs in the space of just seven overs, before Summons was run-out for a cameo 15 runs.
Rhys Davies (Maenclochog) replaced Summons and, together with Kooman, added 17 to the total before the latter was bowled in the penultimate over for an inspiring 43 runs.
Tom Richards (Narberth) was caught going for runs in the last over, leaving Davies not out eight and new county leg-spinner Charlie Welch (Llechryd) not out one, at the close.
With the respectable total of 150 for 7 on the board, the bowlers certainly had something to bowl at.
Left-armer Scott Helmich (Carew) and the right-armed Davies (Maenclochog) provided a well-proven and varied pace attack for Pembrokeshire, the latter bowling opening batsman Jones in the fourth over.
Kiff replaced Helmich and quickly took the wicket of Russell for 16, well caught by Tom Richards. Davies (Carew) joined Kiff, completing the change to swing‚ bowling as a means of attack. He immediately had the important wicket of Welsh international Evans caught by Summons for 16 and followed this up by bowling Stacey.
Summons (2) and Salter (1) continued the emphasis on swing bowling and were soon amongst the wickets, reducing Mid Glam to 68 for 7 after 20 overs.
There then followed a fine partnership of 46 between Thomas and Hoey, and with the score on 112 for 7, with just three overs to go, a draw seemed inevitable.
However, Davies (Carew) had other ideas, returning to the attack to bowl Thomas for nine. Kiff subsequently had Huish well caught by wicket-keeper Arthur, leaving the hosts on 119 for 9 entering the last over.
Davies then delighted his team-mates by removing Hoey's off-peg with the first ball of the last over of the match, to leave Pembrokeshire victors by 39 runs with five balls to spare.
Credit must be given to the whole team for their fighting spirit right to the end, which sent Nigel Arthur (coach) and Russell Jones (manager) home very happy and eager for the next match against the very strong Cardiff and the Vale‚ regional representative team, at Barry Cricket Ground.
Improved display by Kilgetty U13s
A much improved Kilgetty side played a strong Carew line-up last Monday for Kilgetty's second match in the Under 13 League.
Josh Bevan bowled Tom Davies with the score on 17, but Welsh international Scott Helmich and Dyfed School's Rhys Davies knuckled down with a partnership of 35 before Scott was bowled by Alan Townsend.
James North bowled M. Whitfield, who was judged not out by the umpire, allowing a 23 partnership, before Rhys was retired, having scored the maximum 30 runs.
Kilgetty were slow starting the chase, facing the bowling of Scott and Rhys, and lost the wickets of captain Josh Bevan and all-rounder Andrew Evans with the score on 10.
Townsend stabilised the innings, before skying a ball which was easily pouched by wicket-keeper M. Whitfield.
In the 10th over, with the score on 28, Whitfield caught a brilliant reflex catch off Richard Cope's batting, forcing North to the crease.
Opener Jake Marsh and James North then held the Kilgetty players and supporters captivated as they gave it their all and attempted to get the 50 runs required. Unfortunately, James was bowled on the last ball of the match, with 14 runs still required.
Jake Marsh was Kilgetty's man-of-the-match with 27 not out - it surely won't be long before Kilgetty will start winning games.
Kilgetty team: Josh Bevan, Jake Marsh, Andrew Evans, Alan Townsend, Richard Cope, James North, Grant Watkins, Chris Watkins, Matthew Smith, Ryan Howells and Alex Waters.