The awful weather on Saturday meant that there were fewer games than usual but teams battled on and produced results that could be vital by the end of the season in terms of silverware and the ‘Dreaded Drop’ – and as well as all the players who enjoyed a game that at one stage appeared unlikely, credit must also be given to those hardy umpires who braved the elements alongside the scorers sat there in the abject conditions.
 
Indeed, when one smashing scorer from the first division spoke to me with the result, she could hardly speak she was so cold and they all deserve a medal or special recognition at the end of the campaign!
 
Despite the smaller number of matches there were still plenty of terrific performances and this week we highlight the best of them, with apologies to others who played really well but we ran out of space or simply couldn’t find a photograph of them!
 




 

1. Brennan Devonald (St Ishmaels):

Brennan scored 58 not out in helping Tish beat Llangwm and might not normally make our ‘Top Performers’ but more important was the fact that he scored them so quickly that he and Karl Rhead (22 not out) hit off the total needed in only 13 overs at the time the rain could have returned and saw the game abandoned. Brennan lashed  six fours and three big sixes to steer his team home by ten wickets!


 





 


 
2. Rhys Davies (Carew):
 
It was a similar story at Cresselly as Carew skipper Rhys Davies top-scored with 61 as The Rooks chased down a sizeable score made by their near neighbours. Rhys is a knowledgeable player so he knew how important this victory was in this early stage of the title race where both are involved and he stroked 13 fours to keep the running between the wickets out of the equation – and his team reached their target of 181 for the loss of only four wickets with over 11 overs still in hand.
 


 
 






3. Lee Summons (Johnston):
 
Lee Summons is having a terrific season at Glebelands as his performances with bat and ball have helped Johnston reach a creditable fourth place in the table as the season is now a third over. Lee’s 96 included nine fours and four sixes and he also claimed two wickets. It continues an amazing run of good form because as well as being a regular wicket-taker his last four scores before this were 76, 55, 56 and 81, which any player in the county would be proud to have under their belt. Giving Lee every support as they chased down a sizeable target of 172 was  Lewis Boswell (49 in a stand of 122). Just one question Lee – when are these scored going to converted again into three figures?
 
 




 
 
 
 
4. Chris Fitzpatrick (Johnston):
 
The other principal architect in Johnston’s victory at Lamphey was spin bowler Chris Fitzpatrick, who claimed outstanding figures of 5 for 21, no mean feat in a Stag’s score of 171 all out, ‘Fitz’ is now an experienced all-rounder and he is now a strong cog in the Johnston cricketing machine!
 
 
 
 





 
 
 
5.  David Blackwell (Lamphey):
 
David Blackwell found himself top scoring for Lamphey with a classy 76 (including 15 boundaries) to show what a good player he is. David is renowned for his fitness for someone in his late 40s and his running between the wickets is an object lesson for young players. Another point of interest about this popular member of the Lamphey squad is the fact that in the winter months he is one of the top snow boarders in his age group across the county!
 
 
 
 
 














6. Joseph Kiff (Burton):
 
Since Joseph Kiff joined Burton at the start of the season he has formed a potent opening partnership with skipper Toby Hayman, who departed cheaply on this occasion but still proved too strong on the day for host club Pembroke in this top of the table clash. Joe’s sparkling 79 included 13 fours and two sixes and it follows other big scores over recent weeks.
 
 
 
 
 












7. Jack Harries (Pembroke):
 
Top scorer of the day in the match at Treleet was Pembroke skipper Jack Harries, who sportingly admitted afterwards that his team had no complaints about defeat on the day. Jack is beginning to re-find the kind of form he showed last season and certainly in the indoor league and a century seemed on the cards as he reached 85 with the inclusion of six fours and two sixes. But then he hit a low full toss from Jack Bevan to Luke Hayman at square leg and he was on his way back to the pavilion! Never mind Buddie, this pundit predicts that three figures are not too far away!
 
 
 





  
8. Harry Nicholas (Herbrandston):
 
Harry Nicholas plays alongside his twin brother Jack and dad Paul for Herbrandston and all three featured at Carew 2nds as Jack  chipped in with 30 and Paul (known to all as ‘Pickles’) claimed a miserly 2 for 11 – but it was Harry who again led the batting, as he’s done mostly this campaign. He had boundaries aplenty before he again sped past 50 and had reached 81 in helping Herbie to a huge 201 for 7 and an eventual win by a massive 113 runs to keep them in second spot in the section table.
 
 



 
 



 
9. George Davies (Cresselly 2nds):
 
George Davies top scored for Cresselly Seconds as they gained an easy eight-wicket win over their counterparts from Burton and in doing so maintained their position as runaway leaders of Division Three. George opened the batting with Damien Arthur and they put their team in a good position to chase down Burton’s score on a wicket invariable made sticky after so much bad weather and he was finally out with 78 to his name. Well done George, your efforts were praised by grateful senior colleagues!
 
 
 
 








10. Gareth Edwards (Saundersfoot 2nds):
 
In the past I had teased Gareth Edwards about being a slogger but I had to change my view after seeing him bat for Saundersfoot and watch his powerful straight hitting that was almost out of the coaching manual! On Saturday he played for The Seasiders’ second string as they chased down Pembroke Dock’s useful tally of 152 for 6 for the loss of only one wicket – and he had scored an unbeaten 113 for them that sixes and fours galore. So I admit I got it wrong Gareth – but I still think you were a better Tenby rugby player than you are cricketer!
 









 
 
 
 
11. Peter Kingdom (Pembroke Dock 2nds):
 
Peter Kingdom is not only a very useful cricketer with Pembroke Dock but is a great club man who does a range of jobs off the pitch. Known as ‘The Shadow’ he was anything but that against Saundersfoot as he stroked his way to 91 before he fell tantalisingly short of what would have been a deserved century. He would have been more disappointed that The Dock lost but it’s great to see a club stalwart also feature on the pitch!
 
 
 
 








 
12. Robert Hicks (Carew 3rds):
 
And last but not least this week again feature Robbie Hicks, who at 56 years of age is doing a great job of nurturing the young talent in Carew Thirds and for the second week in succession  scored 105 for them, this time not out, as their win by 181 runs gave them maximum points against Llangwm Seconds to keep them firmly in the top three in the section table. Robbie played in the South Wales League as Ynysygerwn won the South Wales League and represented Wales before he returned to The Rooks, where he set out as a nipper. He could play higher but just wants to see the kids come through and would drop out if it meant one of them missing out – What a great example to set in his twilight years as a player!
 
 
 
 









 
Other good performances:
 
Others who just missed out this week were  Evan Davies, Hundleton, with 81 as proof of his batting power after opening their batting and only getting with one ball left. Well done Evan! Dillon Lewis is only in his mid-teens but grabbed four wickets for Herbrandston Seconds without conceding a single run, whilst Lewis Mason (67 not out for Cresselly Thirds) also caught the eye alongside veteran team mate Tom Rowlands (56 not out)!