At this early stage in the season it appears promoted Llechryd could face a demanding campaign in division one of the Pembrokeshire Cricket League after a 97-run defeat in a bottom of the table game at Whitland.

The Borderers made a disappointing start to their innings when Dylan Blain fell lbw to paceman Dave Dunfee and Kevin Pearce failed to trouble the scorers after being caught by Graham Kean off skipper John Curran.

But cometh the hour cometh the man, in the form of Geraint Jones at first wicket down, who wielded the willow to great effect as he plundered eight fours and seven sixes in his 85, before being caught by Tom Beard off Andrew Fletcher.

Jonathan Thomas (20), Scott Newton (23), Gwion Howell (16) and Wayne Howells (18) all pitched in as Whitland reached a respectable total of 202 in 44.2 overs.

Curran (3 for 47 off 8.2 overs) and Fletcher (3 for 35 off 9 overs) snapped three wickets apiece, and there were two for Rhys Beard (2 for 35 off 5 overs). David Dunfee bowled 3 maidens in his 1 for 33 off 9 overs.

The Llechryd top order didn’t last long as James Betteley was run out, Lewis was caught by Gethin Scourfield off a Wayne Howells delivery, and Curran clean bowled by the same bowler.

Wickets continued to fall, despite a battling 39 from Dunfee at five, which included two fours and two huge sixes. He was finally stumped by Dylan Blain, with Thomas the bowler.

Tom Davies in the middle order contributed 22, with a four and a six, before being caught and bowled by Thomas - and that was basically that as the visitors were dismissed for 105 in 32.3 overs.

Scott Newton returned 3 late wickets for 16 off 4 overs, after Thomas had returned 2 for 19 off 6, and Wayne Howells took 2 for 23 off 9. Conor Bowell had 3 maidens in as he returned 1 for 12 off 5 economic overs.

Defeat left Llechryd in the lower reaches of the league after six batches of fixtures, three of which were cancelled due to the weather.

Meanwhile, in the Pembrokeshire division four, basement boys Crymych failed to fulfil their away fixture with Kilgetty Seconds while in the same division the match between Llechryd Seconds and their Whitland counterparts was abandoned.

Put in to bat on a tricky track, Llechryd Seconds made good progress, with skipper Ollie Roberts and 14-year-old Tom Lewis sharing in an opening stand of 60, and setting up the homesters to post a score of 136 for the loss of six wickets - before a belt of rain caused the game to be abandoned.