Top Ten Performances – Saturday, 17^th August, 2024
 
As usual, we take a sideways look at those who scored plenty of runs or claimed wickets galore – and as usual we apologise to anyone we have missed out! It’s simply down to old age!
 



1. Jack Harries (Pembroke lost to Burton)

Jack Harries is in his seventh season as captain of Pembroke Cricket Club and confirmed his right to be considered one of the most consistent run-gatherers in the county and one the county selectors might want to have a look at in the future. So far this season he has amassed 794 runs in 15 innings, one not out, with an ever age of 56.71 - and with his top score on Saturday of 129 in defeat at Burton.
 
He struck 12 fours and 7 sixes (but was dropped twice on the boundary by a well-known local voice imitator!)- but it was quality batting and so far, he has accumulated three 50s and three hundreds to date this campaign!
 
 










 
2. Jonathan Venables (Burton beat Pembroke)
 
In the same game Burton looked to have a bit of a job chasing down a target of 243, especially since they lost top scorer Toby Hayman second ball and next highest scorer Joe Kiff soon afterwards.
But they showed they are more than just a ‘two-trick pony’ team Jonathan Venables and Toby Hayman really got going in a magnificent stand of 166 before ‘Veggie’ played on just two runs short of what would have been a deserved century, having belted 10 fours and a six.
A born competitor, I bet he was not pleased with himself!
 
 
 






 
 


 
3. Luke Hayman (Burton beat Pembroke)
 
Luke Hayman was the other major batsman for Burton, and he is used these days to coming in late because of his younger brother’s exploits - but with to settle in he gradually built the momentum and also had eight boundaries and a six en route to his unbeaten 80. He had previously bowled early well and taken 3 for 29 alongside useful spells by Jack Davies and Dan Ridge.
 
 
 
 
 
 










4. James Hinchliffe (Carew beat Cresselly)
 
In the first division, Carew continue to apply pressure on Neyland at the top of the table and they smashed nearest neighbours and deadly rivals Cresselly by 197 runs, with two players catching the eye in what was a cracking team effort.
 
James Hinchliffe continued his good all-round form as he top-scored with 63 not out and shared a proactive undefeated partnership of 100 with Nick Davies (41 not out) - and then bowled really well to return fine figures of 3 for 22.
 
 
 
 




 



 
5. Iori Hicks (Carew beat Cresselly)
 
Joining him in the bowling stakes was Iori Hicks, who has enjoyed an excellent season where his latest figures of 5 for 15 paid tribute to the contribution he is making towards Carew’s quest for silverware. Iori had been away on holiday for three weeks and so had clearly benefited from his rest from cricket, judging by Saturday’s performance.
 
 
 
           









6. Lewis Boswell (Johnston beat Lamphey)
 
By most standards Lewis Boswell’s performance for Johnston in their relegation battle with Lamphey might not rank so high as many others from across the league on Saturday but there is no doubt of its relative importance in terms of how it might influence the final destination for his club.
 
When Lamphey batted first he grabbed 3 for 7 alongside Lee Summons and although they lost a few wickets Lewis was top scorer on 32 as he settled them down to a seven-wicket success - and was ultra keen that if he had a mention to get his name right - and not mix him up with his cousin Liam, who was also in the team!
 
 









7. John Williams (Stackpole beat Neyland 2nds)
 
John Williams has been playing for Stackpole for nigh on 35 years, through all the club’s ups and downs, and again on Saturday he showed his explosive hitting power with 72 not out as they won against Neyland 2nds to stay level with Burton 2nds at the top of Division Three.
 
I bumped into John on Sunday when he was with his pal Andrew ‘Sparky’ Hay, who had scored 69 not out for Pembroke 2nds, and I asked John how many singles he’d scored, and his answer was ‘Not many” as 60 of them came in fours and sixes!
 
 








 
8. Nitai Durey (Crymych beat Whitland 2nds)
 
Nitai Durey was top scorer for Crymych as they beat Whitland to stay just top of Division Five and his innings of 91 saw him fall just nine runs short of a century as he tried an innovative scoop shot and played on to his stumps. He loves playing shots that others might not risk and Steffan Williams, who was batting with him at the time of his demise had suggested he batted conservatively to achieve the coveted three figures. Nitai had already hit six fours and five sixes in his team’s 191 for 4 and then bowled Whitland out for 42 so all’s well that ends well - but we think it’s great that he loves being inventive as a cricketer!
 
 
 
 






9. Ashoka Sanavirathna (Haverfordwest 2nds beat Fishguard)
 
Ashoka Sanavirathna has become a very popular cricketer at Haverfordwest since he came to the area as an anesthetist at Withybush and everyone at the club was delighted for him as.  His innings of 76 against Fishguard helped them win this third division tussle.
 
This talented left-handed struck one six and boundaries aplenty as The Twon successfully chased down 173 as part of a day when all four teams won, something that hasn’t happened before this campaign.
 
 




 



 
10. David Lockyear (Hundleton 2nds beat Haverfordwest 3rds)
 
David Lockyear is another old timer who has served a club well and in his case it has been Hundleton who have benefitted from his loyalty – and after being a first team regular for years he is now helping their seconds to climb out of division six, where they have already won the silverware and they sealed the silverware by beating Pembroke Thirds.
 
David grabbed a magnificent SIX wickets for only FOUR runs in their 23-run victory so well done buddie – and keep it going!