PHOTO:
Lauren, Megan and Lleucu outside Haverfordwest's clubhouse

 
When Cresselly Thirds took on Fishguard’s first team The Racecourse in Haverfordwest last weekend it left local pundits scratching their heads if there had ever previously been a league match in which one team had three females in it!
 

Girl power – and family matters

 
Cresselly Thirds had Megan Jenkins as skipper, and she was joined by Lauren Arthur and Lleucu George against a Fishguard team which has made its temporary home on The Racecourse’s third pitch – and there might have been a fourth female because Rebecca Williams shares the vice-captain’s role with Lauren but was unavailable for this particular tussle.
 
There could also have been an even more unique occasion for Megan because also playing were her father Clive and brother Sion – and there might have been a family quartet if other brother Stefan had played as well! The family connection is soon to be further continued because Megan is getting married in August to Scott Arthur, a prolific run-maker in the second team.
 

New skipper – eager to see girls play a part

 
It was Megan’s  second game as captain after taking it on a few weeks ago and she opened the bowling and completed nine straight overs, four of them maidens for figures of 1 for 23 – no mean feat because an experienced Fishguard rattled up a huge score.
 
“Lleucu George also opened and bowled six overs,” Megan told us, “then came back on afterwards for her final three, finishing with a creditable 1 for 54, whilst Lauren Arthur then came on for the final two  overs as an extra bowler (her first time bowling against men) and took an excellent 2 wickets for 16 runs.
 

Talented young cricketers in their own right

 
“Lleucu has recently transferred to Cresselly after Crymych ladies folded two weeks ago due to not having enough girls. She had been a great transfer and so I wanted her playing for the men on Saturdays, hopefully every week from now on, as she also plays for Wales in her age group and Llangennech Ladies on Sundays.
 
“Lauren Arthur has been travelling back from college to play and has helped me coach previously with the county under11s. She represented Pembs when younger and had trials for Wales, playing a bit in the development squad.”
 
None of the girls managed to score many runs against the pace of Anthony and Rob Couzens, plus Gary Delaney, but isn’t it great to see a big club like Cresselly encouraging girls to play at this level?
 

PHOTO:
Lauren, Megan and Lleucu outside Haverfordwest's clubhouse