ROBERTS AND KURTZ IN FINE FORM

Pembroke County Cricket League

Excellent wins for Crymych and Llechryd

Division 4

Llechryd 2nds 173 for 5 (27) beat Burton 2nds 172 for 4 by 5 wickets.

Following a delayed start at the RDM Oval Llechryd again showed they are capable of chasing down totals as they overtook the target with several overs to spare.

Skipper Ollie Roberts (above) batting at three was again the man of the moment as he provided another inspirational knock of 84 runs and there were several other fine performances.

Rain caused a late start and play was reduced to 35 overs per side and Burton lost an important toss and were asked to bat on a drying wicket and perhaps more importantly a quickening outfield.

The Llechryd opening bowlers picked up a bit of swing and effectively contained Burton, but getting wickets was a challenge. Luke Palmer Davies bowled well taking one wicket for 32, in two good spells and Richard Davies was tough to get away and bowled six overs for just 21. However the visitors batting went up a gear at around 25 overs, with Colin Picton getting 56 not out, with some powerful hitting, especially in the last ten, aided by Rob Griffiths with 32 and the Burton innings closed at 172 for 4 off 35 overs. Mike Dunkeld was the main wicket taker with 2 wickets for 41 and Peter Gregory also proved hard to get away by taking 1 wicket for 11 runs.

Andrew Davies and Rob Mansfield opened for Llechryd and got off to a positive start with Davies (11) showing his normal willingness to take it to the opposition bowling and with Mansfield (32 ) providing some powerful hitting the scene was set for a close run chase. However Luke Palmer-Davies (21) upped the tempo when he arrived at the crease after a few cheap wickets had fallen and he and Roberts saw their side safely home to record a fine win at 173 for 5 off 31.1 overs. Dan Griffiths with 1-56 and Dai Murphy with 3-56 were the wicket takers.

Saundersfoot 2nds 130 for 6 (6) lost to Crymych 131 for 4 (28) by 6 wkts

Crymych coasted to a comfortable six wicket win thanks to some excellent batting from Sam Kurtz and Richard Thorne and some inspired bowling by James George.

Saundersfoot made 130-6 to set the Preselimen a modest target despite the damp conditions with George (3-34) instrumental in keeping the run rate down with some important wickets along with Thorne 2-22 and Rob Couzens 1-19. Paul Morris was the top run getter with 57.

In reply Thorne produced a patient innings of 43 not out but Kurtz was the man of the moment as he chipped in with 74 runs to see his team through for a well deserved success and a third win of the campaign.