Pembroke County Cricket
Division 2
Llechryd 152 for 8 beat Narberth 151 all out
Llechryd closed the gap at the top to only 18 points after their beat promotion rivals Narberth but the village side almost blew it in the closing stages when a middle order collapse caused a few collywobbles.
Thankfully for Llechryd their number seven batsman Andrew Fletcher kept a cool head and a straight bat to see his team through for a very important victory.
Narberth batted first and started well but some excellent fielding produced a succession of outstanding catches with wicket keeper Fletcher taking two splendid efforts. One fine catch from Adam Gilbert at long off to dismiss big hitting batsman Kyle Quartermaine came at a crucial time in the game with Quartermaine on 30 and the visitors threatening to post a score in excess of 200.Teen Tomos Davies also took a fine catch.
Veteran Peter Betterley (2-18) along with Graham Keen and Leighton O Connor(3-28) kept a tight line and length and maintained the pressure and wickets eventually tumbled. Fifteen year old all rounder Loui Davies helped rescue his team and timed the ball beautifully on his way to an impressive score of 28 which included a number of majestic cuts and drives and there were 20 runs also for Richard Adams.
Narberth who like their opponents were missing a few regulars had looked set for a big score at one time but after a good start they found themselves struggling at 47-4 after 18 overs with three wickets falling in very quick succession and for no addition to their score. The visitors eventually had to settle for 151 all out and a total that looked well short. Forty overs later they were probably wishing they had managed to hit twenty more runs as they could well have won.
The hosts whose season depended on this result got off to a poor start when opener Gilbert went cheaply but fellow opener John Curran and Mike Carter steadied things and were in commanding form with excellent running between the wickets and they took full advantage of some sloppy fielding by running several three’s and the score rattled along into three figures and the visitors heads started to go down. However both Curran who hit some cracking boundaries off the back foot for his 44 and Carter 31, disappeared in quick succession just as they were taking the match away from Narberth.
All rounder O Connor came out like a man on a mission and hit a big six before his stumps were scattered and left hander Steve Smith was run out as he ambled in at the bowlers end and all of a sudden Llechryd looked in serious trouble at 139-7 with 11 overs remaining.
Dafydd Ladd was next to go caught behind and Narberth scenting victory piled on the pressure with none better than young bowler Louie Davies (2-25). However Fletcher who was the recipient of some tasty sledging after he double batted to stop a ball bouncing back on to his wickets kept very cool and he and Nick North saw their team through for a two wicket win.
Llechryd are now just 18 points behind the Otters with five games to play. Crucially Narberth entertain leaders Llangwm this weekend and they could well do the Teifisiders a huge favour.
Division 4
Burton 2nds 109 for 6 lost to Llechryd 2nds 112 for 3
Llechryd young guns Joe Mansfield and Jac Davies helped steer their side to a welcome win in a rain affected match at Burton with a fine stand of 40 runs.
The heavy drizzle ensured a shortened 28 over game and the hosts posted a total of 109-6 with Dan Ridge top scoring on 38 and well backed up by Andrew Cromwell who made 31.
Peter Gregory returned the best figures for the visitors with his seven over spell producing three wickets for 24 runs.
In reply Llechryd lost form batsmen Josh Ward early to a good outfield catch but up stepped Joe Mansfield and Jac Davies and they showed great maturity at the crease and shared a 40 run partnership.
Big-hitting all rounder Gregory came in to join Mansfield (37 not out) at the crease and pushed the score along with a few pulled sixes and fours and Llechryd were quickly over the line with five overs to spare ending their innings on 112 for 3 after 23 overs. Gregory was top scorer with 40 not out.
With Crymych and Narberth 2nds not playing because of the wet weather this win leaves Llechryd 2nds in second place in the division 29 points short of the leaders Narberth but crucially 27 points clear of third placed Crymych.
Dan Llewellyn with 2-21 and Kurtis Hicks with 1-37 were the pick of the Burton bowlers.
Llechryd CC would like to thank Wendy Fletcher for preparing the teas and their match sponsor– Clynfyw Apple Pressing Services.
