JUDGEMENT DAY FOR LLECHRYD

Pembroke County Cricket League

Division 2

Llechryd  79-2 beat Pembroke Dock 75  all out  by 8 wickets

Another crucial captain’s innings from Llechryd all rounder John Curran helped steer his team to a comfortable victory over Pembroke Dock and a step closer to clinching the division two title.

Curran came to the crease with his team in trouble at 10-2 after the early loss of openers Mike Carter and James Betterley but the home skipper got his head down and saw his team home with plenty to spare.

The league leaders face second placed Narberth this weekend in the title decider but Llechryd have a seventeen point lead and an advantage that will surely be good enough to see them capture the silverware for the first time in over 20 years.

Curran lost the toss and the visitors elected to bat first but their early progress was thwarted by some very tight bowling from the reliable duo of Rhys Beard and Curran with both picking up an early wicket each and after 14 overs Pembroke Dock had only 8 runs on the board, with the pair bowling eight consecutive maidens.

First change bowlers Peter Betterly (2-11) and Graham Keen (2-14) also kept things tight and with the ball seaming all over the place and Pembroke Dock needing to pick up the pace, wickets began to tumble and there was a first senior success for Luke Palmer Davies who snapped up two wickets.

Runs were very hard to come by throughout with 49 of The Dock’s 75 runs provided by No 6  batter Thomas Grimwood, who hit six boundaries and finished unbeaten – just missing out on the half century. His excellent knock helped his team recover from 16-6 but the visitors total was well short.

The leaders though did not get off to a good start as they stuttered to 10-2, with Billy Wood (2-36) having James Betterley (4) caught behind by Griffiths and then clean bowling Mike Carter (6). But Joe Mansfield and John Curran steadied the ship, Mansfield hitting four fours in his 26 not out and Curran with six fours and a huge six to end unbeaten on 39.

In a fitting end and with just 10 runs required, Curran smashed a six and a four to win the game and put Llechryd into the driving seat ready for next week’s league title decider at the RDM Oval.

Llechryd CC would like to say a big thank you to Pembroke Dock for their support of young Llechryd cricketer Trystan Beard with their generous donation towards his fund.

Division 4

Burton 2nds 160 all out drew with Llechryd 2nds 113 for 5.

There was no such luck for Llechryd seconds as they played out a losing draw away at Burton 2nds. The hosts made 160 with Rob Griffiths top scoring with 28 and others to make starts were  Dan Ridge (27) and Dan Griffiths with 17.

Peter Gregory was the best of the visiting bowlers and he took 3-34 and Kelvin Holmes took 2-14.

All rounder Gregory also impressed with the bat and top scored for Llechryd with 33 not out and there was a useful contribution from Simon Newlands with 30 but the visitors were never up with the run rate and their innings ended at 113-5 with Dan Griffiths the pick of the Burton bowlers with 2-20.

Crymych 66 all out lost to Saundersfoot 2nds 231 for 6  by 165 runs

Not a good afternoon for Crymych as they were forced to chase a formidable total of 231 set by Saundersfoot 2nds for whom John Mansfield bagged a ton and Sam Franklin hit 63. In reply the Preselimen were all out for 66 with Hari Nicholas top scoring with 18.