Even though there are still ten games remaining in the Pembroke County Cricket League Division Two excitement is mounting in the lower Teifi Valley as unbeaten Llechryd sit on top of the table with followers hopeful of a serious championship challenge and promotion to join the elite in the county.

Although second-placed Narberth gained two points on the pacesetters third in the table Hook lost against Pembroke and now trail the Teifisiders by 41 points.

The next two games could prove vital for Llechryd who visit Narberth this Saturday and host Hook the following weekend.

Despite being held to a draw at Pembroke Dock the leaders banked 28 points with skipper John Curran again the star as he hit a third century – that’s 562 runs in seven visits to the middle.

Curran, aged 23, opened the batting and went after the home bowlers from the start as he cut and pulled shots to all points of the compass, stroking nine fours and hoisting four sixes in a superb knock of 106.

Unfortunately Llechryd will be without their skipper for the game at Narberth as he is attending the Newcastle Emlyn Football Club 50th anniversary celebrations.

Curran and first wicket down Johnnie Lewis (63) shared in a partnership of 160 and at the end left-hander Steve Smith was unbeaten on 37.

The homesters never seriously challenged to chase down the total despite Craig Butland contributing 66 and the innings closed on 162-7.

Medium-pacer Rhys Beard snapped three wickets for 26 runs and his brother Tom picked up two wickets.

Llechryd 2nds sprang a five-wicket win over visitors Burton 2nds in an entertaining Division Four game at the RDM Oval.

Burton posted 172-4 in 40 overs with Ian Batterley top scorer on 19.

With Ollie Roberts again in great form as he made an unbeaten 84 and Rob Mansfield contributing 32 Llechryd reached the target for the loss of five wickets and banked 27 points.