Despite a two-wicket defeat at the hands of visitors Carew in the Pembrokeshire Cricket League division one, it was a gutsy performance by Llechryd, who finished on 176 for 7 after 45 overs.

A fourth league defeat, with three games also rained off, leaves the Teifi Valley villagers bottom of the table and seven points from safety.

Yet, there was room for optimism after running Carew so close at the RDM Oval and success at Narberth this weekend provide a boost.

Skipper John Curran, batting at three, led from the front with a a fine knock of 67, after openers Jonny Lewis (20) and Andrew Fletcher (19) had put on the early runs.

Joe Mansfield (14), Tom Davies (16) and Graham Keen (16 no) also made double figures, but the total of 176 for 7 in their allotted overs was not quite enough for Curan and Co to chalk up a first win.

Ceri Brace (2 for 35) and Shaun Whitfield (2 for 36) picked up two wickets apiece.

Carew reached 178-8 in 32 overs, with useful contributions from Nick Davies (34), Nick Scourfield (28), Luke Hicks (29) Shaun Whitfield (25), James Hinchcliffe (13) and Ceri Brace (20 not out).

For Llechryd, medium-pacer Andrew Fletcher (4 for 46 off nine overs) snapped four wickets, with Luke Palmer-Davies returning 2 for 28.

In division four, there was a second defeat for Llechryd Seconds away against their Lawrenny counterparts, who triumphed by six wickets.

Having first use of a flat strip, the visitors reached a respectable 188 for 6 after 40 overs, with Leighton Oliver (50) leading the way with a half century and there fine knocks by skipper Ollie Roberts (31) and fellow opener Tom Lewis (38). Lower down the order Ifan Dow made 19 and Peter Gregory 23 not out.

Medium-pacers Finlay Lewis (2-27) and Rhys Eynon (2-33) both took two wickets.

Steve Campbell was the hero for Lawrenny as he smashed six boundaries in his unbeated 83, and he was supported by Simon Cole (34) and John Bell (20). Peter Gregory returned 2 for 34.

The result left Llechryd one off the bottom, a position occupied by Crymych, whose home encounter against Burton Seconds was cancelled.

Llechryd Thirds brightened up the day for the club with a first win when coming out on top by five wickets in their division five away game against Stackpole Seconds.

Stackpole posted 146 for 5 with Roger Lewis (77) the mainstay while Wayne Marshall (19) and Russell Roberts (18) were also to the fore.

Tom Cartwright (2-29) picked up two wickets and Kelvin Holmes took 1 for 5.

In the reply Richard Fletcher wielded the willow in a fine unbeaten 81 and was given support from vastly-experienced Lauence Harries (38).

Fixtures: Saturday, June 12: Pembrokeshire Division One: Narberth v Llechryd. Division Four: Llechryd 2nds v Crymych. Division Five: Stackpole 2nds v Llechryd 3rds.

Results: Saturday, June 5: Pembrokeshire Division One: Haverfordwest (46-2) ab v Lawrenny (223-7); Llechryd (176-7) lost to Carew (178-8) by 2 wkts; Narberth (229-8) ab v Saundersfoot (146-6); Neyland (67-0) ab v Whitland (151); St Ishmaels (151) lost to Cresselly (237-7) by 86 runs.

Division Four: Crymych (0) ab v Burton II (0); Hook II (192-5) beat Llanrhian II (159-5) by 33 runs; Lawrenny II (189-4) beat Llechryd II (188-6) by 6 wkts; Saundersfoot II (277-2) beat Kilgetty II (87) by 190 runs; Whitland II (199-8) beat Carew III (31) by 168 runs; St Ishmaels (151) lost to Cresselly (237-7) by 86 runs.

Division Five: Cresselly III (187-5) beat Hundleton (149-7) by 38 runs; Neyland III (95-6) beat Pembroke Dock II (94-8) by 4 wkts; Pembroke II (87) lost to Fishguard (180-6) by 93 runs; Stackpole II (146-5) lost to Llechryd III (147-5) by 5 wkts; Whitland III (0) ab v Herbrandston II (0).