Pembrokeshire Indoor Cricket - Division One - Round One

Match Three: Tired-looking Seniors collapse against current champs

Pembs Seniors A (50 for 5) lost to Neyland A (51 for 0) by six wickets

Neyland A set off in their quest to retain the silverware in unusual fashion after a low-scoring tussle with Pembs Seniors A, who somehow managed to muster a less than impressive 50 for 5 in 12 overs - and Neyland sauntered to victory, without losing a wicket, in 6.3 overs.

The veterans could only muster one three in their increased overs and Alan Webster struck a six off the final ball of the innings in his 22 not out as the only batsman anywhere near double figures, as Nick Daley and ‘Mr Extras’ were next on six runs.

Neyland’s bowling attack was led by Jack John as he claimed 1 for 10 in his three overs, including that last-gasp six, with Brad McDermott-Jenkins (1 for 10 in two overs), Ross Hardy (1 for 3 in two overs) and both Dai Davies and Patrick Hannon bowling miserly spells, the latter making a welcome return to action alongside running the leagues so efficiently.

Then his twin brother Sean, leading by example, belted 26 before retiring, ably assisted by Dai Davies (17 not out) as Ross Hardy helped apply the coup de grace to a Seniors A team who must have wondered what had hit them to start their campaign!      

Match One:  Harry leads Hook to last-ball win

Hook (95 for 5) beat Cresselly (94 for 5) by 1 run

There was a very tight match between Hook and Cresselly, who batted second and fell a tantalising one-run short of their opponents after they had used their full quota of overs.

Both teams had promising individual performances through Harry Makepeace (23), Charlie Holder (29, including two fours and two sixes) and Jacob Lay (26 not out for Hook) - but they lost wickets at key times as Cresselly skipper Tom Arthur bowled really well, with two wickets in his first over and final impressive figures of 3 for 11, alongside Ollie Rowlands (1 for 16) as the other accurate bowler.

Cresselly never really fired on all cylinders in response as Griff Jenkins scored an impressive 40, alongside 15 extras, until Milo Jones scored 14 not out in a late charge for runs as they needed 26 in three overs But Harry Makepeace bowled really well as Hook’s top player, taking 2 for 9 in three miserly overs.

There was also a wicket apiece for Charlie Holder, Owen and Aled Phelps and in the final analysis it was Hook who held their nerve and were that vital single in front after such a hard-fought contest.

Match Two: Hood stars as Herbie win titanic tussle

Pembroke (92 for 3) lost to Herbrandston (94 for 5) by 1 wicket

This tussle also went to the very last delivery, with Herbrandston edging through thanks to a superb solo effort with the bat and ball, and with Pembroke being left to reflect that they conceded a massive 31 extras as their opening bowlers found it hard to control the ball’s swing on their indoor debuts.

Herbrandston also conceded 21 extras after Pembroke had lost key openers Jack Harries and Gareth Long for only three runs before Ceri Brace (two fours and two sixes in his 29 not out) and ever-reliable Luke Butler (26 not out) gave support.

There were a couple of run outs as Robbie Hood claimed the only wicket, and with Karl Davies Dean John bowling their three overs apiece well.

Herbrandston found runs even tougher to come by as five of their batsmen were dismissed for a combined 15 runs and skipper Hood showed how determination can pay off. He reached a match-deciding 48 not out out in 53 balls without a single boundary – and saw Herbie home with immaculate timing from the last ball of an intriguing contest!