Without top-form skipper John Curran and classy left-handed batsman Steve Smith it was a day to forget for Llechryd who tasted defeat for the first time in a top of the table clash with Narberth in the Pembroke County Cricket League Division Two.

The Teifisiders were knocked off the top by their rivals who leap-frogged them and drew eight points clear.

There was a further setback when third in the table Hook beat Carew 2nds by seven wickets and closed the gap on Llechryd to 16 points.

The second and third clubs go head-to-head at the RDM Oval this Saturday, the result of which is likely to have a major bearing on the championship and promotion races.

Llechryd struggled to get the ball away against tight bowling and sharp ground fielding and but for a gallant effort by top order batsman Johnnie Lewis (59) the visitors would have been skittled. As it was a total of 103 was nowhere near enough to trouble the homesters.

Mike Reekie snapped three wickets for just four runs, there were also three wickets for Ben Quartmaine and two apiece for Loui Davies and Lewis Hough.

In the Narberth reply Richard Adams set the ball rolling with 30 runs while Hedd Luff (36 not out) and Kyle Quartermaine (34 not out) saw their side safely home for the loss of three wickets. The winners banked 30 points while there were just three for the visitors for whom seamer Graham Keen picked up two wickets for 17 runs.

Llechryd 2nds fared better than the seniors as they won for the fifth time in Division Four when coming out on top by nine wickets against Carew 3rds at the RDM Oval.

Having first use of a good strip the visitors put up little resistance as they were bowled out for a paltry 46 with all the batsmen failing to reach double figures.

After Neil Croucher took three wickets for six runs Llechryd sauntered to victory for the loss of one wicket.

In the same division Crymych swept aside visitors Hook 2nds by 122 runs at Glandy Cross where home batsman Richard Thorne was the hero of the hour with a brilliant innings of 124.

The Preselimen posted an imposing total of 267 in 40 overs and in reply the visitors were bowled out for 145.