It was inevitable that rain would intervene with the cricket league programme on Bank Holiday Monday; especially as initially the games were scheduled two days earlier for Saturday, April 30, which was one of the finest days of the year.

The programme was changed due to the fixture backlog of the football league after the wet winter, with the county’s executive committee having mixed feelings as to whether cricket should move to accommodate the football.

The general consensus among Pembrokeshire’s sporting folk was that the right decision was made, but those supporting it who didn’t get to play on Monday will perhaps be feeling it wasn’t!

That’s cricket for you, however, and rain can intervene at any stage. Had they not moved it, then Saturday could have been a washout and the Bank Holiday Monday a scorcher fit for ice creams on the beach.

The games most affected by rain were in the lower divisions, with all but one game in division one going ahead as the derby between Whitland and Narberth was abandoned.

The most intriguing game was at Haverfordwest as the hosts entertained Cresselly, who batted first and were bundled out for 71 after Adam James took his second successive five-wicket haul. The only batsman to get to grips with the batting track was Simon Cole, who scored 30.

Cresselly are meant to be fielding a weakened bowling line-up, given they lost three bowlers over the winter to other teams, yet they bowled Tish out in the first game and took seven wickets in Monday’s run chase as the hosts scored 74-7. Sam Harts’s medium pacers took 4-25, while Lyn Richards took two wickets as the visitors almost pulled off an unexpected win.

Carew entertained neighbours Lawrenny who had first use of the wicket in scoring 173-9. New recruit Harry Thomas scored 40, while James Buckle hit 31 in their total after Ceri Brace took 3-38, while Tom Davies and Max Brindley each took two wickets.

In reply, Brace struck a fluent 32 as Rhys Davies hit 46 not out, but Nic Scourfield was the real master at the crease as he compiled an excellent 66.

While Cresselly were struggling for runs at Haverfordwest, it was a complete role reversal at their home ground as runs were being scored for fun. Unfortunately for the hosts, it was Whitland seconds who were scoring them as their crackerjack team of batsmen scored 318-6.

Surprisingly, no-one scored a century in this mammoth total, but they proved what an excellent team they are as Mark Lee hit 80, Greg Sleep 66, Wayne Jones 46 and Matthew Lewis an unbeaten 40 against his former team. Sion Jenkins took 2-73 for the hosts.

In reply, Cresselly seconds were all out for 110 after Lee took 3-33 and Connor Bowen 4-20.

Kilgetty’s great start to the season continued with another win as they secured an eight-wicket victory over Burton, who were all out for 115. Ross Hardy was the star man, taking 5-24, while Kurtis Marsh took 2-14.

In reply, Hardy smashed 37 not out, while Marsh hit 35 and Tom Lewis an unbeaten 18 in their easy victory.

Carew seconds had few troubles in disposing of Pembroke, who batted first and scored 128 at Crickmarren. Barry Evans hit 45 for the hosts and Jack Harries 30 after Harry Cook took 3-26 and Jacob Knox 3-43.

In reply, Knox struck 26, while Dafydd Bevan hit 25 and Chris Cole 28 not out.

The game between Stackpole and Hook was abandoned.

Only three games were played in division three as Llechryd drew with Haverfordwest thirds and Neyland seconds beat Herbrandston, yet at Saundersfoot, Pembroke Dock had the ignominy of scoring the lowest total of the day after the home team bundled them out for just 36. Sam Franklin took 3-6, John Mansbridge 3-14, while Neil Powling and Tom Mansbridge each took two wickets in scuttling the opposition and they had no issues with passing the total after Franklin struck an unbeaten 23.

Just one game went ahead in division four, with Pembroke seconds going down by 43 runs at Llanrhian seconds, who were all out for 146 thanks to Nigel Phillips’s 4-17 and Chris Thomas’s 3-19.

In reply, the visitors were all out for 103, despite Luke Harries’s excellent 43.

The only games in division five to go ahead were Llangwm seconds’ win at Haverfordwest fourths and Neyland thirds losing to St. Ishmaels’ seconds.