Old-timers aplenty shine yesterday by Bill Carne

 
We are always delighted on PembrokeshireSport.co.uk to sing the praises of the many talented young cricketers making headway in our local leagues but there’s no doubt that this weekend the ‘old timers’ have shown us there is life aplenty in those old legs with a string of centuries and a few bowling performances to boot!
 
We must also give a mention to our old pal Fraser Watson because nine days before he had a nasty blow in the mouth, keeping wicket for Llanrhian 2nds at Llangwm in the Alec Colley Cup, which will result on ongoing dental treatment but, old warrior that he is, he was back behind the stumps again yesterday against Lawrenny and top scored with 39 runs. Well done Fraser!
 
 


 


 

‘Windy’ and Sean help Neyland to vital victory

 
The table-topping clash between Carew and Neyland fell in favour of the latter and although Andrew ‘Windy’ Miller and skipper Sean Hannon didn’t make huge contributions in terms of runs and wickets their runs and wickets were of vital importance in who topped the table.

Sean came in at No 7 with Neyland looking shaky on 120 for 6 but he struck a terrific undefeated 50 to take them to a very healthy 193 for 7 – and after a super salad tea supplied to the players by Carew Ladies it was ‘Windy’ who broke the back of the Carew innings with a superb 5 for 17 spell as no Carew player in a very strong side managed to get hold of him.

He was once one of the top three batsmen in the county but had a duck in this tussle – but my word did he come up with the goods later on and after he had celebrated his 50^th birthday last Tuesday he was toasted in style by his team mates last night at The Athletic Club!
 
 
 



 

‘Taffy’ takes Cresselly to comfortable win

 
At 43 years of age Phil ‘Taffy’ Williams has played for Cresselly for 23 years and in that time has been a very reliable and able player in opening the batting – and continued to show why he is so valuable for the first team with 109 runs as they beat Haverfordwest by 50 runs.

He stroked 19 boundaries and the only two occasions he lost his head a little came when Phil ran Charlie Arthur out like a dog when the youngster had scored 71 and went for a big hit from the penultimate ball of the innings and was stumped by Shan Pereira.

‘Taffy’, who is a key man in the PE staff at Greenhill School, has been a great asset for Cresselly and this was his tenth century – and long may he continue to open the batting for them because he sums up all that is good in local sport, which he supports so well at school under the watchful eye of head teacher David Haynes, who scored 40 for Haverfordwest yesterday, but in their second team’s defeat against Kilgetty!
 
 
 






 

‘Rhino’s’ back – and raring to go!

 
Ryan Morton has been sidelined with injury for much of this season in his first campaign as skipper but the all-rounder nick-named ‘Rhino’ showed he is back to something like his best form as he grabbed a tremendous 7 for 27 haul against St Ishmaels alongside Rob Williams and Finley Lewis that reduced Tish to 89 all out.
 
Then Lawrenny knocked the runs off in 23 overs thanks to 51 from the in-form Harry Thomas – and PembrokeshireSport.co.uk is very confident that we will be writing lots more about ‘Rhino’ in the second half of this campaign!
 
 
 
 





 

Tom takes the honours for The Seasiders

 
There’s no doubt about the man of the match in Saundersfoot’s big win against Llangwm – it was Tom Mansbridge as he excelled with bat and ball.

Llangwm won the toss and elected to bat but found themselves chasing leather for 45 overs as Tom struck 15 fours and two sixes en route to his terrific 114 that helped his side to 271 for 3, with support from brother John, Danny Caine and Nick Cope.
 
Then Tom grabbed 4 for 42 when it was his turn to bowl and helped Sam Franklin, Neil Powling and brother John to help The Seasiders win by 138 runs.
 
 
 
 





 

Veterans galore as Carew Seconds beat Hook

 
More old timers came to the fore in a high-scoring tussle where Hook scored 203 all out and Carew cruised home for the loss of only three wickets.


Firstly, it was Jamie Phelps, who at 53 years old turned back the clock to help out the firsts from his normal role of second-team skipper and after they had slumped to 50 for 4 belted 16 fours and two sixes in his 101.

 
Leading the way for Carew in their bowling attack was Kerry Waters, who is even older than Jamie by four years as he grabbed 5 for 16 – and then another 53 year old in Simon Wood showed why he is a regular in the Welsh over 50s team with a typically classy 101 not out (18 boundaries) to seal the Carew success.



 
 
 
 




 

‘Veggie’ Helps Burton to a big win

 
Burton No 3 Jonathan ‘Veggie’ Venables came to the wicket after skipper Toby Hayman and Joe Kiff had given them a solid start against 10-man Johnston and he belted a boundary-laden 114 before being dismissed late on – and then Morgan Scale helped ease Burton to an easy win with a 5 for 22 haul to give the Burton boys a local-derby  victory by 151 runs and maximum bonus points in their quest for promotion!
 
 
 









 
 

Jack’s back to his best form with the bat

 
Pembroke strolled to an easy nine-wicket against Llechryd, who played their match at Fishguard because their ground is currently unavailable, and it was certainly to the liking of Jack Harries as the Pembroke skipper maintained his recent good form with 101 not out in 89 balls as he batted through their innings in pursuit of Llechryd’s 173 for 7.


He struck seven fours and six big sixes as he and Will Davies (five fours and two sixes in his 45) put on 109 and then his old pal wicket-keeper Luke Butler, helped him over the winning line with 23 not out.
 
 
 








 

Will helps Burton win with unbeaten century

 
 
Will Ridge was the second Burton batter with three figures to his name as he opened the second-tam’s innings against Narberth 2nds with 102 not out to help Burton home by a massive 151 runs.

As well as being a useful player, Will is also a great club man alongside brother Dan as he often umpires the Ladies team, in the summer and indoors, and makes a few suggestions about improving their play along the road.

PembrokeshireSport.co.uk was particularly pleased to see Will reach three figures because he represents the right way to play cricket in our county!
 
 
 
 










 

Craig cracks the day’s top score

 
Craig Williamson is an imposing figure on any sports pitch with his ‘Viking Looks’ and he certainly imposed himself on Pembroke Dock Seconds with a great all-round performance against Pembroke Dock Seconds.

Firstly, he smashed a boundary-laden 130 alongside Welsh Premiership footballer Iori Humphreys’ 102 in a massive final tally of 328 for 5.
 
Then Williamson grabbed two wickets alongside talented teenage lady cricket Ava Midgley’s 5 for 24 haul – and Hundleton won by 216 runs.





 



 
 

 
 

‘Mitch’ makes his mark for Pembroke Thirds

 
Steve Mitchell started out in cricket at Treleet and after a spell at Stackpole, plus a period of not being involved, ‘Mitch’ showed he still has his stroke-making power as he  scored an unbeaten 111 against Lamphey.
 
‘Mitch’ was instrumental in taking Pembroke to victory as they lost only one wicket in chasing down Lamphey’s score, which included half centuries from Jonathan Edwards and Tom Colley, and they finished on 187 for only 1 as Toby Bradley-Watson batted well at No 3.