PROMOTION SEALED

Pembroke County League

Division 2

Llechryd 61 all out lost to Haverfordwest 2nds 62-1

The failure of Llechryd to secure promotion in the final few weeks of the season was probably a blessing in disguise on the evidence of this match as the Teifisiders would have struggled in division one with their current squad.

It has been apparent for some time that Drewy Davies and his batting line up were not quite strong enough and this was most obvious on the weekend when a Haverfordwest side bolstered by a few first teamers was far too strong for a visiting team that could only muster 61 runs before collapsing in dramatic fashion.

The writing had been on the wall for several weeks following a stream of mid order collapses but this is not a huge concern for this well organised village side who say they are more interested in building for the future, as club secretary Dewi Davies explains: ”The club strategy this season has been to maintain the 1st team’s position in Division 2 after gaining promotion last year and to get the 2nd team up into Division 3.

“The main objective being that the teams play against a similar standard of opposition regularly next season, thereby helping our junior and youth development programme.”

So objectives achieved for Llechryd as the first team have made further strides this term and have been genuine promotion candidates and the 2nds completed promotion on Saturday following a winning draw over Hook 2nds.

Opponents Haverfordwest 2nds who have been struggling near the bottom of Division 2 for most of the season drafted in a number of first teamers to help consolidate their position in the second tier and there were none better for them than Ben Field who top scored with 43 not out.

Losing a vital toss Llechryd struggled from the word go, and against some lively opening bowling they saw wickets tumbling regularly and stuttered to a total of 61 all out in 25 overs with home seamer Kieran O’Connor returning the excellent figures of 5-19 and Adam James picking up two wickets.

The gulf in class between division one and two was highlighted as Haverfordwest knocked off the runs for the loss of no wickets inside 15 overs, with Ben Field, a regular in their first team scoring an aggressive 43 not out and his opening partner Dan Cole 17 not out. All rounder Keen with 15 and Josh Ward with 14 were the only visiting batsmen to hit double figures.

This weekend Llechryd entertain Whitland 2nd’s at the RDM Oval for the final game of the season.

Division 4

Llechryd 2nd’s 148-8 -Hook 2nds 133-9. Winning draw for Llechryd.

Llechryd 2nds secured promotion to division three with a winning draw against Hook 2nds following a very entertaining match played on a tricky damp track and outfield.The match was in doubt due to the recent wet weather, with hard working chairman Laurence Harris working overtime to prepare a pitch at the very last minute, before umpiring the whole match.

With both clubs fielding regular second team players and both also pushing hard for promotion from Division four Hook 2nd’s won a good toss and decided to bowl first. The hosts opening partnership was a very solid one albeit a little slow,with just 60 runs on the board at the halfway mark after 20 overs, in conditions that suited the bowling side. Openers in skipper Andrew Fletcher who made 42 and young Joe Mansfield with another good innings of 28 to back up his fifty from last weekend gave their side a solid platform. Fletcher and co continued to make good progress in the last 20 overs, despite losing wickets steadily along the way and the run rate was once again assisted by some lusty hitting from all rounder Peter Gregory which took the league leaders to 148-8.

Hook also made steady progress despite losing wickets at regular intervals with Brennan Lay making 29 and Keith James 26, but with tight bowling and fine fielding the visitors could never quite keep up with the required scoring rate.

It looked good for a Llechryd win with Hook at 105-9 however, a fine last wicket partnership frustrated Llechryd who were unlucky not to take the final wicket, with Hook finishing 15 runs short on 133-9.

The hosts bowling was very tight with veteran Malcolm McHugh being the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-30 and he was well supported by Andrew Fletcher with 2-29 and Peter Gregory 2-7.

Llechryd remain top of the league, just 5 points ahead of second placed Narberth and the title race will be decided this weekend but both teams are guaranteed promotion.

Llechryd CC would like to thanks loyal supporters “Elgan and Merv” for sponsoring the match.