A FEW weeks ago Llechryd were more than 40 points clear at the top of the Pembrokeshire League Division Three but defeats at the hands of promotion rivals have whittled away the advantage.

An eight-wicket reversal at third in the table Stackpole left the Teifisiders sharing the lead with Carew 2nds who turned them over the previous week.

Against a strong Stackpole battling line-up the 130 posted by the visitors on a flat track was nowhere near enough to mount a victory challenge.

Llechryd were without top batsmen John Curran and Andrew Davies for a second week but the return from university of Michael Carter was a bonus as the opener produced a fine knock of 49. He will obviously strengthen the batting in the weeks ahead.

Medium-pacer Lewys Gibby snapped four wickets.

Targeting a very gettable total the south Pembrokeshire side went along at a rate of knots with Huw Cox (73 not out) and Richard MacKay (42 not out) guiding their side to a comfortable victory.

Turning in a far superior showing than their seniors Llechryd Seconds beat Division Four leaders Johnston by 28 runs at Castell Malgwyn.

The Teifisiders made good progress as Dewi Davies scored heavily in making 70 and was given excellent support by skipper Paul Beasley who contributed 24 in a total of 165.

Medium pace bowler Nathan James was best of the visiting bowlers as he picked up three wickets.

The pacesetters were never up with the required rate and despite Andrew Page (31) and Stephen Price (25) making significant contributions were all out for 137 as medium-pacer Rob Mansfield snapped three wickets.

Crymych came to grief in Division Three when going down by 132 runs against fellow mid-tablers Pembroke Dock at Glandy Cross.

Having first use of a flat track the visitors made hay while the sun shone with Scott Brunton making a fine unbeaten 64, Jake Griffiths hitting 52 and Nick Daley contributing 49.

Alan Luke took three wickets for the Preselimen and Steffan Williams picked up two but between them went for nearly a hundred runs.

In reply the homesters were dismissed for 92 despite Marc Thomas getting his head down and making an unbeaten 66. For the visitors Nick Daley followed up his fine innings with figures of 3-25 and John Cwmani picked up two wickets.

Crymych host Llechryd this Saturday.