LLECHRYD returned to form and retained the joint leadership of the Pembrokeshire League Division Three with a 134-run win over Pembroke Dock at Castell Malgwyn.

There is no change at the top with Llechryd, Carew Seconds and Stackpole all banking maximum points but the Teifisiders have traditionally improved during the second half of a season and will be keen to mount a promotion challenge.

Batting first the homesters went along at a steady rate with openers Michael Carter continuing his good form of late with a well-compiled 46 and partner Adam Maehrlein making 29.

Newcomer Alan Betts at number three showed what an acquisition he will be for the club with an innings of 45 while Graham Keen and Steve Smith also made valuable contributions as Llechryd reached 205-6 in their allotted overs.

Malcolm Morris took four wickets but he went for 54 runs.

As Pembroke Dock replied John Camani (31) and Geraint Blair (13) were to the fore but the visitors were never up with the required rate and found difficulty against the pace of James Heneker (2-7) and Graham Keen (3-24) and were dismissed for 71.

Graham Keen and team-mates will hope to build on this success when they visit mid-table Neyland Seconds on Saturday.

In the same division Crymych moved up giving themselves an outside chance of promotion after an eight-wicket away win against Neyland 2nds.

The Neyland total of 202-6 with Gareth Virgo hitting 52, Jason Oakley (38 not out) and Luke Ryan (23 not out) the main run-getters appeared a useful score.

Alan Luke (2-17) and Harri Dunn (2-25) were among the wickets for the visitors.

Then it became the Sam Kurtz show, the right-handed batsman dispatched the ball to all points of the compass in making a brilliant unbeaten 133. He was supported by Richard Thorne (27) and Tomos Lewis who was unbeaten on 26 as the Preselimen reached the target for the loss of two wickets and picked up 28 points.