PHOTO:
Back row: Jamie Phelps (Team Manager), Shay Norcross (Narberth), Jacob Owen, Owen Phelps, Lewis Miller (all Hook), Evan Watts (Haverfordwest), Seth Willington (Hook), Harry Fuller (Whitland), Jake Thomas (Narberth), Andrew Miller (Coach).
Front Row: Joe Phillips (Llangwm), Corey Lewis (Cresselly), Rhys Power (Neyland), Ollie Hough (Narberth), Lucas Davies (Hook), Maisie Davies (Llangwm).

Carmarthenshire Under 10s (92 for 8) lost to Pembrokeshire Under 10s (94 for 6)

 
An excellent all round team performance saw Pembrokeshire Under 10s gain revenge for an early season defeat against their counterparts from Carmarthenshire.
In damp conditions at Kidwelly Cricket Club, Pembrokeshire edged their opponents in each facet of the 30-over contest to record what was in the end a comfortable four wicket victory.
 
Team captain Evan Watts won the toss and elected to field and Shay Norcross and Joe Phillips led the Pembrokeshire attack with miserly opening spells, setting a tone everyone was to follow.
 

Carms find scoring difficult

 
Rhufon Thomas (18) and Dan Thomas (11) batted well but found scoring difficult against the sustained accuracy of the bowling but despite restricting the scoring Pembrokeshire remained frustrated during a long opening stand until Lewis Miller (1 for 15) came on to make the first breakthrough. Maisie Davies, Corey Lewis, Ollie Hough and Jake Thomas all returned tight spells helping Pembrokeshire maintain a tight grip on the game.
 
The introduction of Harry Fuller (2 for 2), who narrowly missed out on a hat-trick, and Lucas Davies (1 for 1) proved to be a crucial period with Carmarthenshire losing three wickets for three runs in the space of four overs, including that of Dafydd Hughes (11).
 

Evan claims rare hat-trick

 
But taking nothing away from the quality of the Pembrokeshire bowling, it was the consistent high standard of fielding which really caught the eye on the day. Rhys Power set the tone with an excellent performance behind the wicket in challenging conditions, Norcross made his mark with a superb interception and throw to claim a run out and the ground fielding in general was of a high quality.
 
But it was captain Watts who was to steal the show with a rare if not unique hat-trick. Anyone who has played cricket will recognise the skill required to execute a run out with a direct hit. Unbelievably Watts claimed three run outs with direct hits all whilst fielding at fine leg. This was an exceptional display of skill for a ten year old cricketer and one which was fitting of the praise he received from everyone present. Has such a feat been achieved before?

 
Pembs positivity pays off

 
At tea Carmarthenshire had posted 92 for 8, a total well within their opponents’ grasp and so it was as Pembrokeshire set out with a very positive attitude, which eventually saw them chase down victory with six overs to spare.
 
Despite losing Miller early on, Jacob Owen (17) and Watts (32) took the attack to the Carmarthenshire bowlers so that positive running and regular boundaries saw their team pass 50 in quick time. Owen Phelps (7) came to the middle and along with Watts looked set until falling to a superb catch from Hughes in the covers.
 
Davies lost his wicket in a mix up that saw him run out which meant it was left to Seth Willington to take his team to victory with a fine pull shot to the boundary. Sion Wells (2 for 11) was the pick of the Carmarthenshire bowlers, who on the day were unable to contain the positive intent of the Pembrokeshire batting.
 

Coaches delighted

 
Coaches Andrew Miller and Matthew Lewis, plus team manager Jamie Phelps were understandably delighted with this performance in which the team showed its true potential – and individually the whole squad has shown real progression this season under their guidance.
 
The positive team spirit that has been forged and which is so evident on the field, is a tribute to the young players themselves and will stand them in good stead as they next head off to the annual Aberystwyth festival of cricket.