Pembroke County Cricket League
Division 4
Llechryd seconds were crowned champions of Division four after they defeated Saundersfoot 2nds by ten wickets.
The leaders were just five points clear of Narberth 2nds in the runners up spot going into this final game and needed a good win to ensure promotion as champions of the division.
The visitors won the toss and put Saundersfoot in and Ollie Roberts took an early wicket, with Drewy Davies taking a smart catch at slip, and the wickets continued to fall regularly after this with Steve Cook with 27 the only player to make any real impression as his side were dismissed for 72.
Llechryd rotated the bowling effectively to ensure Saundersfoot never got too comfortable and all bowlers chipped in and took wickets with Malcolm McHugh with 4-26 and Scott Thomas 3-10 the best of the bunch.
In reply openers Josh Ward with 35 and Ollie Roberts 28 were patient and comfortable and the runs came quite easily and the visitors were able to pass 72 without losing a wicket after only 20 overs.
An excellent end to a successful season and another solid performance to take the division title and promotion to Division Three. Rivals Narberth failed to win at Kilgetty and ended up as the division runners up.
Crymych also ended their season with a comfortable win after they overcame the challenge of Pembroke 2nds by six wickets. The South Pembrokeshire side were skittled out for 60 with Hari Dunn taking four wickets for just two runs and the Preselimen knocked off the runs for the loss of four batsmen.
Division 2
Llechryd who were missing a number of regulars for this final game of the season looked to be heading for an early shower after they were tottering on the brink at 70-6 chasing 131 but they rallied and came extremely close to snatching an unlikely victory.
The visitors who needed to win to give themselves any chance of staying in division two were put in to bat and Greg Sleep gave the hosts innings a decent foundation with a splendid knock of 45 although he was dropped when on single figures.
Geraint Phillips with 16, Jack Bowen on 11 and Gethin Scourfield 11 and Ben Harvey 16 not out were the other run getters for the Borderers.
Peter Betterly at the tender age of 69 was once again the chief wicket taker with 4-25 and he had good back up from Graham Keen with 3-29, Steve Smith 1-15 and Johnny Lewis 2-25.
There were times where Whitland seemed very comfortable at the crease but they never really got themselves into a position to kick on to reach a large total and they ended their innings on 130 all out.
Llechryd looked a good bet to end the season with a comfortable win especially as they had ten extra overs to chase the score down but some decent batsmen got themselves out cheaply at crucial stages of the match.
Mike Carter holed out at deep cover when he was on 18 and in control. Left hander Steve Smith was bowled all over the place after going for a big yahoo and the end of season barbecue planned for after the match looked like starting early with Llechryd in deep trouble. However Dewi Davies calmed things down and Adam Maeirhlein with 13 and Keen with 28 and Andrew Fletcher with 25 got the home team to within single figures before they were bowled out on 122 with the departure of Keen proving to be the turning point. This was though a great effort late on.
Llechryd Cricket Club would like to thank Wendy Fletcher for preparing the teas all season and to Robert Davies Motors for his sponsorship.
