The Pembrokeshire under 11 squad recently took part in the annual cricket festival held at Malvern College and enjoyed three sunny days in a spectacular setting as the squad played six T20 matches against counties from across England and Wales on beautifully prepared pitches.

The squad represented Pembrokeshire with distinction amidst cricket of a very high standard, having the added bonus of meeting and talking cricket with former England test captain and current ECB Director of Cricket Andrew Strauss. Along with most counties participating, Pembrokeshire took a squad which included a mixture of Under 11 and Under 10 players, the squad led by captain Lewis Miller and vice-captain Evan Watts.
 

Buckinghamshire (114 for 3) lost to Pembrokeshire (117 for 4) by 6 wickets

Bucks batted first and set a very competitive 115 to win as Evan Watts and Joe Phillips (1 for 3) opened the bowling, keeping things tight, Joe having the distinction of uprooting the off stump of Sam Strauss, the son of Andrew Strauss. Lewis Miller (1 for 13) and Owen Phelps (1 for 13) kept the pressure on the batsman but Bucks rallied to score 34 from the final four overs.

Pembs made a steady start to their reply but when Jacob Owen (15) was out they slipped to 30 for 4 and looked shaky. However, Harry Fuller (24 not out) and Evan Watts (57 not out) joined forces in an unbeaten 87 partnership. These two hit 16 boundaries between them in putting the Bucks attack to the sword and taking Pembs to victory with overs to spare.
 

Pembrokeshire (79 all out) lost to Cardiff and the Vale (82 for 2) by 8 wickets

Batting first against a very strong bowling attack, Pembs slipped to a perilous 9 for 4 and looked in danger of a big collapse. Joe Phillips (10) and Jake Thomas (6) steadied things before the Cardiff spinners ran through the middle order leaving Pembs at 41 for 8. A battling late rear guard from Lewis Miller (23), sprinkled with some excellent boundaries gave his team hope but 79 looked short of a competitive total.

So it proved as Cardiff set out in pursuit. Early tight bowling saw the Cardiff openers play cautiously. Rhys Power removed the dangerous Bharwani (15) and an excellent low catch from Seth Willington removed Singh off the bowling of Jacob Owen (1 for 5). Pembs fought hard with some sharp fielding but Essenhigh (28) took Cardiff to a comfortable victory.
 

Isle of Man (122 for 9) beat Pembrokeshire (85 for 8) by 37 runs

The Isle of Man batsman combined to set a challenging total centred on the cultured innings of Jansen (45). After a tight opening Jansen accelerated the scoring putting pressure on the fielders. Jake Thomas (3 for 5) bowled a superb spell, backed up by Liam Miller (3 for 20). The fielders stood up to the challenge with excellent catches from Owen Phelps, Harry Fuller and Jacob Owen and a sharp stumping from Seth Willington.

Pembs started uncertainly slipping to 10 for 4 courtesy of two run outs and the leg spin of Williams (2 for 6). The bowlers chipped away with regular wickets and with Pembs at 31 for 6 and with a lack of productive partnerships a heavy defeat looked certain. But Rhys Power (33 not out) batted defiantly to ensure his team reached a respectable total, despite defeat.
 

Pembrokeshire (84 for 5) lost to Norfolk (85 for 3) by 7 wickets

The Pembs total was built around Owen Phelps (28), who batted patiently and punished any loose deliveries. After a positive start from Jacob Owen (10), Phelps was joined by Jake Thomas (11 not out) in a partnership of 39. But the accuracy of the Norfolk bowlers didn’t allow Pembs to get away at any stage, having to settle for a total of 84.

In reply Norfolk were quickly reduced to 5 for 3 by some excellent attacking bowling from Lewis Miller (2 for 6) and Jacob Owen (1 for 20). Harry Fuller took possibly the catch of the festival, a diving one-handed effort at backward point. Despite some excellent bowling from Jack Phillips and Jake Thomas, Hart (52 not out) played superbly to take Norfolk home.
 

Pembrokeshire (69 for 7) lost to Bedfordshire (70 for 4) by 6 wickets

In the only match that consistently saw ball on top of bat, Pembs set a low but ultimately challenging total of 69. At the top of the order Evan Watts (16) and Joe Phillips (11) batted sensibly but were unable to break the stranglehold of the Beds bowlers. Lucas Davies (11) looked well set until falling to a sharp catch, whilst Seth Willington (13 not out) gave the innings some late impetus.

The Pembs boys could have been forgiven for thinking the chase might be over quickly. But they dug deep and produced a superb display of resilience. Joe Phillips tied up the scoring rate early on before Jake Thomas (3 for 8) ripped through the top order. Luc Owen and Jack Phillips combined to bowl 4 overs for only 9 runs before Seth Willington (1 for 6) entered the fray with some leg spin to further slow the scoring. But a classy innings from Ali (23) ultimately took Beds to victory with 11 balls to spare.
 

Wiltshire (151 for 4) beat Pembrokeshire (86 for 8) by 65 runs

In the final game a very strong Wiltshire side posted a massive total of 151 with some ferocious hitting in the last ten overs which yielded 97 runs. At 54 for 2 from 10 overs Pembs were well in it. Harry Fuller struck with a direct hit run out, Jack Phillips (1 for 16) bowled smartly and Seth Willington (1 for 9) again tied the batsman down with leg spin as did Lucas Davies without reward. But the batsmen then got away from Pembs, peppering the boundaries.

In reply a strong Wiltshire attack, including three excellent spinners, never allowed Pembs to get close. Despite this the Pembs batters were determined to go out with a bang. Evan Watts (16) started positively; Jacob Owen (25) took it to the bowlers with a big six out of the ground and Seth Willington (11) also put one into the trees for a big six. But Wiltshire were always in control and secured a comfortable victory.
 

Final thoughts

 
Overall the squad gave a really good account of themselves with some outstanding individual performances and milestones reached. Bowling and fielding was of a high standard throughout but against strong bowling attacks in every match, particularly high quality spin bowling, didn’t consistently manage to set or chase challenging totals.

Nevertheless, the squad showed commitment and pride in every match and drew numerous compliments from umpires and opposition alike for a positive and sporting attitude. The tour has seen friendships developed which will last a lifetime amongst a squad full of great characters that are the future of Pembrokeshire cricket.
 
Pembrokeshire Under 11 Squad:
Back Row: Andrew Miller (Coach), Seth Willington (Hook), Jake Thomas (Narberth), Evan Watts (Haverfordwest), Joe Phillips (Llangwm), Harry Fuller (Whitland), Jacob Owen (Hook), Jon Willington (Manager)
Front Row: Jack Phillips (Llangwm), Liam Miller (Hook), Owen Phelps (Hook), Lewis Miller (Hook), Lucas Davies (Hook), Rhys Power (Neyland), Luc Owen (Hook