Pembroke County Cricket League

Don’t write us off – that was the clear message from the Castell Malgwyn ground after bottom of the pile Llechryd opened their account in Division Two with a full-of-fight showing in springing a three-wicket win over relegation rivals Whitland 2nds.

Having won the toss and elected to have first use of a first-rate batting strip Whitland went along merrily with Jack Bowen coming in at first wicket down hitting eight fours and a six in a fine innings of 65 while opener Paul Webb made 56.

A number of the Whitland batsmen made valuable contributions in an innings which closed on 199-8 after the allotted 45 overs.

Jack Bowen at first wicket down got 65 which included a six and four fours while left-handed opener Pau Webb contributed 56 runs.

Medium-pacer James Heineker bowled line and length in his 12 overs as he returned figures of 3-38 while skipper John Curran snapped up two wickets and Rich Connelly got one.

There must have been some trepidation among home fans in the knowledge that their favourites had previously reached three figures on only three occasions, their lowest score being 42.

But on this occasion things went the way of the Teifisiders with skipper and opener John Curran leading by example with a superb innings of 65, which included one towering six and five fours. He was given great support from Gwion Howell who stroked five boundaries in his 42 and shared in a century stand with 19-year-old Curran as they ran superbly between the wickets

The villagers reached their target for the loss of seven wickets with Josh Townsend (22) and experienced left-hander Steve Smith (18) seeing their side safely home.

Llechryd will be hoping to continue on the straight and narrow when they visit Burton on Saturday for the start of the second half of the campaign.

Crymych have hit a rich vein of form in Division Three, the Preselimen completing a hat-trick of successes with an eight-wicket away win over relegation-haunted Saundersfoot 2nds.

Batting first on a flat strip the homesters found it tough going against accurate bowling and sharp fielding and were dismissed for 99. Toby Papapara (43) was the only Saundersfoot batsman to offer real resistance as Andrew Thomas returned figures of 4-27 and Alan Luke picked up three wickets.

In the Crymych reply Richard Thomas was again in fine fettle with a well-compiled half century and the visitors reached the target for the loss of two wickets and picked up 28 points to move into fifth.

To cap an excellent day for Llechryd the club’s seconds took over fourth spot in Division Five after a 121-run win over Stackpole 2nd which enabled them to move into fourth in the table.

The visitors made a more than useful 169-7 with Adam Williams top scoring with an unbeaten 41 and another notable contribution came from Steve Welch (36). Huw Morris snapped up four wickets for Stackpole.

The homesters struggled from the word go and despite a fine 33 from Iori Roberts were dismissed for 48. Mark Newell, Jason Williams and Craig Williams took three wickets apiece for Llechryd.