Cricket News . . . from PembrokeshireSport.co.uk

page revision date: 25th September 2008

Cricket Statistics 2008 : and Photo Slide-Show

William and Nick top the charts

William Beresford and Nick Dyer are the king pins of division one cricket for the 2008 season as the talented young Llangwm batsman and the veteran Haverfordwest spin-bowler were the respective top run gatherer and ace wicket-taker in the recently completed campaign.

Beresford scored 474 runs in 14 innings, only six ahead of Carew’s Brian Hall, whilst Phil Williams, who was ahead at the half way stage, had to settle for third spot another eight runs adrift but having batted twice fewer than his main rivals. Paul Murray (Neyland) was fourth and all four batsmen achieved a century, with Murray enjoying the section’s highest of 122. Fifth-placed Simon Cole (Cresselly) had a highest score of 74 but was consistent throughout with five half centuries, well ahead of anyone else.

Tom Richards (Narberth), Johnny Pawlett (St Ishmaels) and Richard James (Haverfordwest) were the other centurions whilst the best average fell to 16th-placed Phil Kirkby, who was just a run short of averaging 50 since he had five ‘not outs’ in 11 innings.

Dyer claimed 34 victims in what appears to be the last campaign for the ex-Scottish international and former World Cup player, skippering Haverfordwest to the title and finishing up five wickets in front of Paul Webb (Whitland) and Darren Brick (Llangwm). Ryan Lewis (Cresselly) became the third slow bowler in the top for and Narberth cousins Ian and Ben Hughes were in the next two slots. Brick had the highest bag in one match as he grabbed 8 for 27 whilst Dyer was close behind with a match-winning 7 for 4 spell against Whitland.

Simon Wood can still lay claim to being the county’s top all-rounder since he is the only player who appears in both charts, an unusual feature since there are usually three or four players who achieve the feat. But no-one else has starred with both bat and ball so ‘Woodie’ carries the all-rounders flag alone – well done Simon!
What is also good to report is the fact that so many younger players are beginning to make the break through for their clubs – and in the next few years, providing that Janice and Paul continue their excellent work, we should see a number of these youngsters climbing to the very top!