RUNAWAY Pembrokeshire League Division Three leaders Llechryd were brought down to earth with an almighty bump on their own Castell Malgwyn ground when losing by seven wickets to Carew Seconds.

The heavy defeat by second in the table Carew reduced the Teifisiders’ lead at the top to 25 points and there is no respite this Saturday when the pacesetters visit third in the table Stackpole who the previous week lowered the colours of Carew 2nds.

The Llechryd cause was not enhanced by being without three top batsmen John Curran, Johnny Lewis and Andrew Davies who are likely to make a welcome return for the visit to the village of Stackpole.

Afterwards the Llechryd camp put the heavy defeat down to a bad day at the office and a return to the straight and narrow is the top priority this weekend.

Having first use of a flat track the leaders were all at sea from the word go and despite defiance from Mark Newell, a second team player who showed a degree of batting expertise and fitness in the field, wickets fell like ninepins as they were skittled for 43.

Medium-pacers John Rees (3-18) and Harry Cook (2-10) did the damage for Carew who knocked off the required runs for the loss of three wickets.

In the same division Crymych tasted success for the second time with a nine-wicket win at Hundleton, the 27 points picked up by the Preselimen retaining fifth place in the table.

Batting first Hundleton lost wickets at regular intervals despite a fighting 26 from Paul Fix, and the hosts were dismissed for 82.

Sam Kurtz and Dai Jenkins were the main wicket-takers for the visitors.

In reply Crymych got the runs for the loss of one wicket with Richard Thorne (28 not out) and Marc Thomas (23 not out) leading the victory charge.

Llechryd Seconds fared no better than the seniors as they lost by eight wickets against Narberth 2nds, a defeat that leaves last season’s promoted side bottom of Division Four.