3rd March 2025
 

Nervy holders Hook keep title hopes alive

 
Hook Ladies won two vital matches as they fended off strong challenges from Cresselly, who were still in the chance of silverware, and Pembroke, who looked in with a real chance of a surprise win with half of their overs left - and although Hook’s nervy play was demonstrated by the large number of extras they conceded their will to win shone through - and tonight (Thursday) if Llanrhian manage to beat Burton then it would nicely set up a title decider with Hook in the final match of the campaign.
 
In other matches played on an entertaining evening, Cresselly gained their expected comfortable win over Tish, who then bounced back to beat Pembroke in a last-ball thriller thanks to the efforts of ‘Little Miss Dynamite’, Linzi Picton!





 
 

Match Three:

Hook 75 for 2 (14) beat Cresselly 65 all out (2) by 10 runs

 
Hook Ladies were really pressed all the way by their counterparts from Cresselly as they batted first and only managed 75 for 2 as their opponents bowled and fielded well, as evidenced by the fact that they only conceded two wides in their eight overs.
 
Regular run-getter Kate Farr departed for 16 (two fours) in seven balls, to a good return catch from Ffion Ashman, before co-opener Jemma Phillips and skipper Sam Rossiter gradually built their tally until Jemma retired after 17 balls, with a six to her name.
 
Sam also retired, having faced only 17 balls, including a six and four, but their final total, without lots of wides, was reasonable but not over-challenging.
 
But Tia Rees struck early as she bowled Meg Arthur and Caitlin Lewis cheaply, the latter to a great catch behind by Kate Farr - but with Zoe Minnett sensibly dropping anchor it was a whirlwind innings by Ffion Ashman that dramatically swung the game in Cresselly’s favour.
 
‘Ashy’ blitzed a six, a four and five threes to retire after only seven balls, undoubtedly the fastest innings this season - and was soon back in action after Lauren Davies and Sophia Cole were run out in quick succession by very good fielding.
 
Fortunately for Hook, but not for Cresselly, the return of Ffion was short-lived as she was bowled by a snorter from Maisy Davies - and it was left to Zoe to take her side home. She did manage a boundary to take her side to within ten runs but then was superbly caught off the ceiling by Sam Rossiter, hitting what was close to a six but ended in dismissal and giving Maddie Potter a vital wicket.
 
Cresselly still had ten balls in hand but undoubtedly the bowling performance of the night came from Hook’s Tia Rees, who ended up with three wickets for only seven runs - and the current champions breathed again!
 
Hook Innings:  Kate Farr 16, Jemma Phillips 25*, Sam Rossiter 25*. Ffion Ashman 1-21 Meg Arthur 0-17.
 
Cresselly Innings: Zoe Minnett 16, Ffion Ashman 28, Maisy Davies 1-13, Tia Rees 3-7, Maddie Potter 1-21.




 
 

Match One:

Cresselly 78 for 2 (14) beat St Ishmaels 47 all out (1) by 31 runs

 
Cresselly had previously started their evening in confident mood as they dismissed Tish cheaply after scoring a total of 78 for 2, thanks to the inclusion of 20 extras.
 
Lucy Johnson was in good form for Cresselly as she opened with a four in her score before she retired after facing 14 deliveries - and there were supporting cameos from teenagers Caitlin Lewis and Sophia Cole, who was undefeated at the end.
 
Tish had a 2 for 21 haul by Rachel Maguire as Charl Coulton-Walker also bowled well but knew they then needed a good start with the bat, which was initially provided by Linzi Picton and Tei Tallett, before the latter was dismissed by Lucy Johnson, who later had Linzi out as last batter to give her fine figures of 2 for 5.
 
But sandwiched in between there was a remarkable eight-ball performance by Sophia Cole as Tish had four successive ducks and she claimed 3 for 6 - with the other Cresselly bowlers in Lauren Davies (0 for 7) and Caitlin Lewis (0 for 18) also worthy of a mention.
 
Cresselly Innings: Lucy Johnson 25*, Caitlin Lewis 12, Sophia Cole 14*, Extras 20
 
St Ishmaels Innings: Linzi Picton 21. Lucy Johnson 2-5, Sophia Cole 3-7




 

Match Two:

St Ishmaels 87 for 5 (12) beat Pembroke 86 for 0 (4) by one wicket

 
Fortunes certainly ebbed and flowed in this exciting tussle as Pembroke batted first and had a great start, with both Kim Barnes and Chloe Jones reaching the retirement target in only 11 and 18 balls respectively.
 
Then Bobby Neale and Ginny Davies were not out at the finish so that Pembroke had built an impressive 86 without losing a wicket in their allotted eight overs, despite accurate bowling by Lucy Patterson and Lola Phillips.
 
Linzi Picton again led the Tish response with her typical enthusiasm before retiring but lost wickets at the other end as only Lucy Patterson managed double figures so that when Ms Picton returned to the crease as the only batter they still needed 15 runs with time running out.
 
But she had a couple of lucky run-out escapes and with 16 extras she finished on a fantastic 42 not out in only 23 balls and there was a single ball in hand when her colleagues joined her in celebrating their win.
 
Pembroke Innings:  Kim Barnes 26*, Chloe Jones 26*, Bobby Neale 21*. Lola Phillips 0-17
 
St Ishmaels Innings: Linzi Picton 42*, Lucy Patterson 12. Summer Russant 1-22, C Jones 1-22, Leanne Picton 0-11.

 

Match Four:

Hook 78 for 4 (14) beat Pembroke 64 all out (3) by 14 runs

 
Hook were forced to endure another challenging match as Pembroke pushed them all the way to enhance their claim to being the most improved team in ladies’ cricket.
 
Sam Rossiter’s squad again made a shaky start as Kate Farr and Maddie Potter departed early, both run out by good Pembroke fielding, and Kate Farr suffered the same fate when she also went after looking really assured.
 
But Maisy Davies showed what a good all-round cricketer she is with a six in her 17 deliveries before she retired and it was left to Sam (again undefeated) as Bobby Neale was the only wicket-taker for Pembroke.
 
Karen Barnes was again top scorer for Pembroke’s fourth game in a row but wickets fell regularly at the other end as Hook turned the screw in the field (despite conceding another massive extras’ total of 28, almost half of their opponents’ score!)
 
Maisy Davies bowled a maiden over for the second week as she grabbed a wicket, whilst Bethan Chapman, Jemma Phillips and Sam Rossiter were again amongst the wickets to remain undefeated - but knowing they must reduce that extras column in the vital last match!
 
Hook Innings:  Kate Farr 19, Maisy Davies 26*, Sam Rossiter 18*, Extras 11, Bobby Neale 1-22
 
Pembroke Innings: Kim Barnes 16, Bobby Neale 14, Extras 28. Maisy Davies 1-5, Bethan Chapman 1-14, Jemma Phillips 1-21, Sam Rossiter 1-5