Tons galore  and some shock results in the top echelon

 
Despite an adverse weather forecast all of the matches from division one to six went ahead, with some very high scores and some shock results, especially in the first division, where basement battlers Haverfordwest and Llangwm both won on the backs of some fine individual performances, as mentioned below.
No doubt about the biggest margin for years in the top section, which came in the local derby between Carew and Lawrenny, where The Rooks amassed 302 for 6 wickets and then bowled out shell-shocked neighbours Lawrenny for a paltry 45, to give a winning margin of 257 runs!  Section leaders Neyland also won comfortable to Narberth, who now find themselves at the foot of the table.






1. Steve Mills (114 and 2 for 42 against Cresselly at Pill Parks)  

It has been quite a month for Steve Mills in terms of runs and wickets – and he caused batting mayhem against Cresselly after previous centuries against Carew (119) and Lawrenny (118). On this occasion he smashed 11 fours and NINE SIXES in his 114, made from only 57 balls,  to help his side to a huge total of 276 and ultimately victory by 76 runs as he also claimed two wickets. The second-placed side had little chance to halt his run-making, other than a soft, dropped boundary catch two runs before he was out – and ‘Millsy’ must be rated as the most in-form batsman in the county at the moment!
 
 
 
 
 

 


 
2. Jonathan Rogers (115 for Carew versus Lawrenny)   
 
When Jonathan Rogers joined Carew from Pembroke this season there was inevitably conjecture over whether he had what it takes to play in the first division but he settled those issues in the first week, when he scored 39 not out and to 3 for 29 against Saundersfoot, followed by four and three-wicket hauls and some good starts to innings. But yesterday he called upon all his destructive powers against Lawrenny as a blitzed nine fours and four big sixes before getting himself out after a big stand with Adam Chandler, making a welcome return to action for The Rooks. So just for the record – Jonathan Rogers is 100% a first-division player.   
 
 


 


 
 

3. James Hinchliffe (6 for 9 in the same match against Lawrenny)
 
The other major influence on Lawrenny in their heavy defeat was the strike bowling of James Hinchliffe, one of the most loyal players for any club in the county, who is also a very useful batsman, excellent fielder and very good footballer for the village’s team. For this game he was paired up by canny skipper Rhys Davies with Iori Hicks and they turned out to be the only  bowlers needed as only Thomas Cole managed double figures against them.
Hicks ended up with a creditable 4 for 35 but Hinchliffe returned remarkable figures of 6 for 9 from as many overs, six of them maidens. It was even said that it was almost as good bowling as Tony Matson’s 9 for 8 haul against Pembroke many years ago!  
 
 
 
 
 







 


4. Shan Perera Karannagodge  (138 in 103 balls for Haverfordwest) 
 
Shan Perera arrived at pre-season nets on The Racecourse  and immediately made an impact in the nets, not only as someone who could hold a bat well but also looked sharp with the keeper’s gloves. From the outset he was selected for the first team and was very eager to encourage others, as all good keeper’s do – and yesterday was a game to remember for Shan alongside his team mates because they won at Saundersfoot by chasing down 288 to win. On a personal note, Shan peppered the boundary with 18 fours and four sixes in his 138 from 103 deliveries and, apart from one difficult half-chance, his batting was immaculate. He is training as a cardiologist at Withybush Hospital from his home in Sri Lanka and certainly had a day to remember by the Welsh seaside!
 
 


 



 
 

 
 
5. Tom Mansbridge (102 for Saundersfoot at home to Haverfordwest)
 
There was a second centurion in the game at Saundersfoot as Tom Mansbridge gor the home team off to a flying start with his classy 102 that contained ten fours and five sixes as his brother John, Danny Caine and Danny Brace also reached the 30s in support. Tom had also reached three figures in guiding The Seasiders to victory against Llangwm and he’s also taken his share of wickets too. Whenever I’ve seen him batting he reminds me so much of his father Paul and will get even better as he continues to play like this!
 
 
 
 
 














 
6. Joseph Kiff (134 not out for Burton in victory over Llanrhian)
 
Since Joseph Kiff joined Burton he has revelled in his opening role as partner to skipper Toby Hayman with a string of high scores and good partnerships, like the 92 they reached in this match.   He had scored 113 (Llanrhian), 80 (Pem Dock) and 79 (Pembroke) to show he hadn’t lost his touch and on this occasion contributed 134 not out, including 18 fours and five sixes as they totalled 213 for and then dismissed Llanrhian for 87.
 
 
 
   












 
7. Grant Cole (36 not out and 6 for 28 for Lamphey) in beating Llechryd)
 
Grant Cole has played cricket for many years for Lamphey and in that time has been a real stalwart of The Stags, on and off the field. He regularly contributes with bat and ball and on this occasion he did both as he scored an unbeaten 36 in a tally of 181 all out and then reduced the opponents’ response to only 90 as he grabbed his six wickets alongside another great club man in Hywel Gibbs (2 for 1).
 
 
 
 




 
 



8. Scott Richards (99, run out, for Carew Seconds in easy win over Pembroke)   
 
Scott Richards suffered the worst form of dismissal at arguably the worst possible time at Treleet as he had reached 99 and then got run out in search of that elusive run that would have taken him to three figures!
It came when he and talented teenager Ethan Hall had put on 160 runs and Scott didn’t know he was on 98 with seven overs to go. He told me he was tired but wanted to maintain their momentum and took all the blame, which is nice to see. He once had a hundred many years ago back in his home village of Hundleton and had already scored three nineties for The Rooks before this latest one. Scott has battled really hard with footballing injuries in the past and it is nice to see him back to full fitness – and we are confident he will achieve three figures for Carew in the near future.
 







 
 



9. Ben Evans (137 for Kilgetty  in beating Hook 2nds)
 
Ben Evans was always highly regarded as a very useful batsman in his younger days at Carew and he again showed he has lost none of his touch with a huge 137 against Hook 2nds which featured a strong stand between ben and Jack Badham, who picked up a useful half century in the process. Ben was also a very good goalkeeper in his time with Carew and Kilgetty and it’s nice to see him scoring runs aplenty again! 
 
 
 







 
 
 




10. Stefan Jenkins (124 not out for Cresselly 2nds against Stackpole)
 
Steffan Jenkins was well-known as an opening bowler for Cresselly in his younger days but now does great work playing as an all-rounder with their other teams and helping to bring on the many youngsters they have in their junior section.  The club seconds are running away with the third division but lost against third-placed Stackpole – but ‘Jenks’ stroked a boundary-laden century and shared a three-figure stand with one of his young charges with Tyler James (52 not out). His previous century came with the club thirds but he says he has no plans to try for a ‘ton hat-trick’ with one in the first XI!
 
 
 
 





 




 
11. Richard Mackay (117 for Stackpole and 2 for 39 as a bonus)
 
There is no more big-hearted cricketer in Pembrokeshire than Richard Mackay, and he proved his worth in this vital victory over Cresselly as his team look in with a chance of promotion. Big Rich joined Hefin Williams in bowling  as Cresselly built up a huge target before the Stackpole hero blasted his 117 alongside Josh Davies and John Williams so that they won well. Richard could have played for a number of clubs at a higher level but he is Stackpole through and through – and they are lucky to have him!
 
 
 















 
12. Geraint Jones (54 not out and 3 for 40 as Whitland beat St Ishmaels)
 
Geraint Jones has rightly earned a name as an excellent all-rounder at Whitland and another solid, unspectacular display against St Ishmaels saw them to a much-needed win. His three wickets alongside Connor Bowen and Gopal Ramasamy restricted Tish to a reachable score before his unbeaten knock  saw The Borderers home with wickets and overs to spare!