Pembroke County Cricket
Division 2
Llechryd 168 for 9 (7) lost to Pembroke 169 for 6 (28) by 4 wickets
Another well crafted innings by Llechryd left hander Steve Smith failed to save the Teifisiders as they fell to a four wicket defeat against Pembroke at the RDM Oval.
The visitors won the toss and elected to have a bowl and this looked a sensible decision as Llechryd lost early wickets at regular intervals and they soon found themselves in trouble at 50-5 with Andrew Fletcher 22 the only top four batsman to reach double figures.
This brought to the crease form player Steve Smith and he played some splendid shots for his knock of 62 which included a dozen boundaries. Joined by skipper Graham Keen who made 30 they managed to stop the rot and build a decent partnership. After seeing off the opening bowlers they looked at every opportunity to increase the run rate but with ten overs of the innings remaining both fell in quick succession.
A late cameo by Adam Betts who made 29 not out brought the final tally to 168-9 to give Llechryd something to bowl at but they knew full well that this total was probably 20-30 runs light and so it proved.
Jon Rogers with 3-36 and Sam Davies with 2-23 were the pick of the Pembroke bowlers.
The visitors got their innings off to a flier and openers Barry Evans with 62 and all rounder Jonathan Rodgers (27) knocked the ball to all parts off the ground. The home bowlers all struggled to contain the talented duo although there was some success for veteran Peter Betterley who took 2-32 and spinner John Curran who bowled with excellent control and variety and managed to slow the run rate down and picked up a couple of wickets. In his 12 overs all rounder Curran finished with 2-21 and he bowled seven maidens. An aggressive knock of 38 from Andrew Hay swung the tie back in favour of the visitors and Pembroke eventually reached their target with a couple of overs to spare.
Division 3
Herbrandston 84 for 3 (27) beat Llechryd 2nds 83 all out (3)
Llechryd suffered a bad start against fellow strugglers Hebrandston and they were never able to recover and slumped to another heavy defeat.
Skipper Ollie Roberts once again led from the front and produced another fine innings but he ran out of partners and he was not helped by a couple of run outs late on in the innings.
The visitors were weakened by the loss of two players to the first team and they proved to be sorely missed. Llechryd were put in to bat in a reduced over match of 34 overs per side due to early morning rainfall and they were soon in trouble with ‘Herbie’ paceman Jack Wilson removing some of the top order, recording figures of 8 overs, 3 wickets for 6 runs.
There was little respite for Llechryd when the bowling was changed with Paul Nicholas taking four wickets for 8 off eight overs. The Llechryd tail rallied slightly for a short while until two run outs ended the visitors innings on 83 all out. Ollie Roberts was again the mainstay of the Llechryd batting with 53 not out.
This disappointing total was never likely to be enough and Herbranston chased down the runs for the loss of jut three wickets. Aaron Bowles got the response off to a start with 32 and Ryan Davies ended the game in the 22nd over with 39 not out.
The Llechryd seamers bowled well and were backed up by some excellent fielding and outfield catching that gave Herbranston nothing in terms of easy runs. However the Llechryd total was never competitive and the game ended in the 22nd over. Peter Gregory managed to pick up one wicket for 19 and Scott Thomas bowled well and deserved better than his single wicket which cost 19 runs. Mal McHugh was the other wicket taker, courtesy of a great catch by Gregory on the boundary rope.
Division 4
Crymych 121 for 9 (5) lost St Ishmaels 2nds 122 for 3 (28) by 7 wickets
In division four there was no joy for Crymych who remain firmly rooted to the foot of the table following another defeat, this time at the hands of St Ishmaels 2nds.
They did though rally well after a very poor start and a few more runs on the board could have seen a very different outcome.
With just seven overs down the Crymych players may have been forgiven for preying for rain as the dark clouds moved in, as they were four wickets down with just 13 runs on the board and their luck did not change there as they were eventually skittled out for 121 and the rains never came!
James George held the Preselimen together with a fine knock of 34 and he was well supported by Ronan Scarlett who was 38 not out at the close with Crymych ending on 121-9.
Jordan Milich was the bowler who inflicted the most damage and he picked up three wickets for just fourteen runs and he found a useful ally in Marc Devonald who returned figures of 2-24.
In reply ‘Tish’ reached the target set thanks to the efforts of all rounders Milich who made 37 not out and Devonald who hit 36.
