There was no shortage of drama in the opening round of the DR Morris Cup last week as holders Carew and Neyland both crashed out, while there was a tie in the derby battle between Pembroke and Pembroke Dock, writes Fraser Watson.
 
The action got underway on Tuesday, and the clash at Treleet went to the wire as The Dock made 157-6 from their 20 overs, only for their hosts to end on the exact same score when they lost their last two wickets off the final two balls of the innings, both run out with just a single needed. With the diminishing light deemed too poor for a super over, the contest was called off and both sides were asked to replay the game 24 hours later. However, the visitors were unable to raise a team for the re-arrangement, meaning Pembroke went through via a walkover.
 
Herbrandston bounced back from their Saturday capitulation against Burton by negotiating their run chase at St Ishmaels. Tish set a seemingly challenging total of 141-4 as Karl Rhead (30), Peter Bradshaw (25) and Brennan Devonald (17) all got starts, and a late stand of 36 between Jonathan Pawlett (17 not out) and Phil Cockburn gave them hope, with the latter blasting two sixes in his unbeaten 24 from just 12 balls.
 
For Herbie, Harry Nicholas led the way with 2-24, but it was opener Charlie Malloy who then did the damage. After Nicholas was bowled by Jonathan Pawlett and Morgan Britton stumped off Cockburn's bowling, at 36-3 Malloy took command with an unbeaten 70, including four fours and two maximums, and he was joined by Kristan Bennett who also blasted two sixes to finish 45 not out as the pair took Herbie to victory with five balls - and eight wickets - to spare.
 
At The Racecourse hosts Haverfordwest could only muster 93 not out against Narberth. Opener Shan Perreira top scored with 37 as 4-13 for Matthew Johns and four run outs set things up for the Bowl finalists - although they did lose seven wickets before getting over the line. Knocks of 39 (four fours) from Jordan Williams  and 20 from skipper Lewis Hough proved decisive, after James Marchant gave his side hope with 3-14.
 
It was more one-sided at Glebelands on Wednesday, where Burton blasted Johnston out for 93, as only Leigh Walters ever really got going with three boundaries in his 24. But Harry Owen (3-13) and Mathew Davies (3-21) were instrumental in keeping a lid on things and although Steve Mills dismissed Toby Hayman early in the reply - Jo Kiff smashed 41 - 28 of which came in boundaries - before Jonathan Venables (21 not out) and Nick Jones (8 not out) sealed an eight wicket win.
 
At Whitland, the home side could only make 125-9 against Hook, with Geraint Jones (22) and Gethin Scourfield (30) their top scorers as Chris Holder, Aled Phelps and brother Rhys all grabbed two wickets each. The Division Two side still had six overs and seven wickets in hand when they passed the total, as Mikey Jones (22), George James (35), Aled (25) and Owen Phelps (22 not out) all chipped in.
 
But the real drama came on Thursday, as 2025 champions Carew struggled to 109-9 at Saundersfoot with 44 from Noah Davies giving them some hope as The Rooks were tied down by the bowling of Sam Franklin (2-14), Nick Cope (2-14), Neil Powling (2-21) and John Mansbridge (2-20). The chase was tense with the hosts reduced to 48-5 as Shaun Whitfield (2-16) made early inroads, before Nick Cope and Franklin steadied matters. Cope made an unbeaten 30 (four fours) and Franklin stayed with him with 32 (two fours and two sixes) as the pair moved through the gears to win in the 17th over.
 
At Neyland, the home side had five batsman face just seven balls between them as opener Danny Potter, Patrick Bellerby, Sam Laugharne and Tom Pritchard all had golden ducks while skipper Sean Hannon lasted just two more deliveries. Gregg Miller did get 38 and Ross Hardy 25 to get the home side to 100 all out, but it never looked enough as Tom Arthur took 2-12 - including bowling Potter first ball of the match  - while Christian Phillips also shone with 3-21.
 
The Doves then made light work of the chase as Tom Murphy and Griff Lewis put on 61 for the opening wicket, with Murphy hitting three fours and a six in his 26. Jenkins went on to make 43 from just 30 balls (28 in boundaries) and Kyle Quartermaine hit 17, and although Alan Webster stemmed the tide with 2-17 Cresselly cruised home by seven wickets.
 
Finally, it was one-way traffic in Lawrenny as they blasted Llangwm out for 77, with Harry Thomas (3-12) doing the bulk of the damage as Josh Davies made a defiant 23 not out. The home side then took just 6.2 overs to get the job done with nine wickets in hand, as Thomas (32 not out) and Will Nicholas (24 not out) hammered the bowling about.