Three entertaining games and close finishes

 
Venue: Neyland Community Hub
Umpires: Jonathan Willington and Neill Crawshaw
Scorers: Ffion Ashman and Jane Richards
 

Match One:

 

Neyland C (94 for 3) lost to Cresselly (95 for 3) by 3 wickets

 
Neyland C batted well against Cresselly as they reached a decent score in their allotted ten overs but Cresselly again showed their continued improvement as they chased down their challenge for the loss of three wickets, with seven balls to spare.

For Neyland it was their talented teenagers in Ashley Watkins (retired on 28) and Korey Arran (15 before he was run out) who got them off to a solid start before ‘old warhorse’ John Tennick (1) departed cheaply – but another young player in Charlie French stroked his way to 25 before retiring.

But Cresselly managed to keep things tight as Charlie Arthur (0 for 9) led their bowling and although they conceded 12 extras they would have been quietly pleased to tag their opponents back after such a good start.

When Cresselly batted it was their ‘old timers’ in Tom Rowland and Stef Jenkins who got them off to a cracking start as they sped to 63 in only five overs, with Tom Rowlands confirming his claim to be the most improved batsman in the section with 29 and ‘Jenks’ supporting with 27 before he was eventually bowled by Watkins in a 2 for 15 spell that also saw him remove Archie Hillier-Wood (7) with the assistance of a French catch.

Charlie Arthur made sure that Cresselly kept their noses in front in terms of run rate despite the fact that their other young players in Griff Jenkins and Ollie Rowlands were unable to match the batting skills of their fathers – and Arthur was still there at the end with Mr Rowlands in a good Cresselly win.
 
 

Match Two:

 

 Herbrandston (97 for 4) lost to Hundleton (100 for 2) by 4 wickets

There were more good batting performances as Hundleton beat Herbrandston with an excellent all-round display that saw them reach their target with 11 deliveries to spare.

Herbie started really well via more of the young players making their mark in the game as Atticus Finch had two sixes in his 26 and Charlie Malloy (28) set them on their way but Dai Malloy (5), Johnnie Lewis (6), Robbie Hood (8) and Cayden McGuire (6) were unable to stay long enough to cause real damage, so that it took 18 from Mr Extras to help Herbie to their final tally.

Hundleton also made a good start from openers Steff Williams (24) and Will Lockyer (retired on 27) and although Dylan Davies (4) didn’t stay long a brisk 28 before he retired from big-hitting Craig Williamson saw them go close to their target and the experience of Jonathan ‘Taffy’ Williams saw them deservedly home, with 10 not out, after only 8.1 overs.
 
 

Match Three:

 

Pembrokeshire Seniors (105 for 5) lost to Burton (107 for 4) by 2 wickets

 
There were yet more runs in the final game of an entertaining evening as the Pembrokeshire Seniors reached a useful three-figure score before Burton, even without in-form batsman Morgan Scale, reached their target with Will and Dan Ridge leading the way.

The ‘Vets’ were once again reliant on the superb batting form of opener Kevin Bowen to lead them to their final tally as he blitzed another big score in his two appearances at the crease before being there at the end with 52 not out.

He received some support from David Haynes (again run out, this time for 12), Neal Williams (2 for 16) and Andrew Williams (11) before Stuart Carpenter and Ian Milsom departed quickly in the inevitable chase for runs, with Charlie Malloy the pick of the Herbie bowlers with his figures of 2 for 16.

But the Ridge boys, Will and Dan, again batted well together for Burton as both retired with respective eventual scores of 33 and 25, and Nick Jones marked his return to action with 8 as Bowen took a good catch off Neal Williams and then showed his all-round skills by bowling Matthew Davies (17).

The ubiquitous Mr Bowen added a second catch as Ian Milsom removed Daniel John (13) and then Charlie Kelly (3) was run out – but Burton were seen home by Will Ridge to end a good evening’s indoor cricket.