Cricket Feature:

 

MCC (187 for 4 in 36 overs) beat Haverfordwest (91 all out - chasing a revised total of 104 in 20 overs)

 
Haverfordwest CC played the MCC in a game to celebrate the club’s bicentenary in a rain-affected match and produced a very good performance against a team drawn from across the country, with the top visiting performance coming from wicket-keeper/batsman Gareth Ansell, who has very strong roots with Carew because his father Barry was their first team keeper and batted well for any years before his work took him away from the county.
 
Gareth certainly enjoyed his return to Pembrokeshire as he led the MCC to a big score of 187 for 4, stroking ten boundaries as he carried his bat throughout the innings before he ended with a special 104 not out and not content with that feat, he also claimed three stumpings and a catch as Haverfordwest were dismissed for 91 after being set a revised target from 20 overs.
 
The MCC batted for 36 overs before a downpour cut their innings short. Gareth Ansell was the star for the MCC, hitting a century in 129 balls and he was well supported by David Kirtley who struck five boundaries in his 44 not out. Wickets were shared for the Town with Adam James, Chris Phillips, James Marchant and Clive Tucker all taking one each. Club captain, Phillips also caught the eye with a great catch to get rid of opener Ben O’Neill, diving at point for the first dismissal, claimed by Adam James.
 
As the rain had soaked the outfield, it was decided to reduce the chase to 20 overs, with 104 the revised target, with Mikey Jones (34)  and  Ben Field (19) leading the chase for The Town but tight bowling on a damp wicket was too much as the MCC bowled the Town out for 91. Typically, the Haverfordwest player in the MCC side took a wicket as Haverfordwest Junior Coach, Simon Williams, had Adam James caught behind off the last ball of his spell.
 
After the match, HCC Chairman Dave Loosmore thanked the scorers (Jayne Cole & John Davies), plus umpires (Bob Fisher & Steve Williams, Hundleton), Pete and Kay for teas, the HCC Groundsmen for preparing the wicket, Natalie Thomas & Simon Williams for helping organise, Chris Phillips and the club’s First XI. Finally, he thanked the MCC players for travelling down to help celebrate the occasion of the club’s 200th year
 
MCC skipper Scott O’Leary gave a speech as well, thanking the club for their hospitality, praising the club’s facilities and how many youngsters were around on a Friday evening. O'Leary presented club Chairman Loosmore with an MCC Commemorative Plaque to mark the club’s Bicentenary, which will take pride of place in the club.



 
MCC Team - Scott O’Leary, Sam Pearce, Gareth Ansell, Alec Holdaway, David Kirtley, Ben O'Neil, Harry Antsee, Craig Barrington, Simon Williams,  Adam Lloyd, Tommy Dolton

Haverfordwest Cricket Club’s Team - Chris Phillips, Jake Merry, Mikey Jones, Ben Field, Huw Scriven, Shan Perera, Adam James, Will Phillips, James Marchant, Jonny White, Clive Tucker, Brandon Dewstowe, Freddie Goodridge
 
SCORECARDS:
 
MCC Batting:
Ben O’Neill ct Chris Phillips b Adam James 4
Gareth Ansell not out 104
Al Holdaway lbw b Clive Tucker 11
Tommy Dalton b James Marchant 0
Harry Anstee lbw b Chris Phillips 5
David Kirtley not out 44
Extras 17
Total (4 wickets) 187
 
Haverfordwest CC Bowling:
Adam James 4-2-6-1; Jake Merry 4-0-17-0; Clive Tucker 4-0-13-1; James Marchant 4-0-17-1; Chris Phillips 4-0-16-1; Will Phillips 4-0-11-0; Freddie Goodridge 2-0-24-0;  Brandon Dewstowe 2-0-18-0; Johnny White 4-0-35-0; Shan Pereira 4-0-25-0
 
Haverfordwest CC Batting:
Mikey Jones ct & b Al Holdaway 34
Jake Merry st Gareth Ansell b Sam Pearce 2
Ben Field lbw b Tommy Dalton 19
Shan Pereira ct Ben O’Neill b Tommy Dalton 1
Adam James st Gareth Ansell b Simon Williams 4
Chris Phillips lbw b Al Holdaway 6
Will Phillips lbw b Al Holdaway 0
Johnny White ct Gareth Ansell b Al Holdaway 8
James Marchant not out 1
Huw Scriven b Al Holdaway 1
Clive Tucker st Gareth Ansell b Al Holdaway 4
Extras 11
Total (all out) 91
 
MCC Bowling:
Ben O’Neill 4-0-22-0; Sam Pearce 2-0-7-1; Tommy Dalton 4-1-8-2; Simon Williams 4-0-20-1; Al Holdaway 3.5-0-14-5; Harry Anstee 2-0-17-1