Pembrokeshire Youngsters Fall Short in Big Run Chase
PHOTO:
Back Row: Andrew Miller (Coach) Owen Phelps (Hook) Seth Willington (Hook) Evan Watts (Haverfordwest) Jacob Owen (Hook) Joe Phillips (Llangwm) Jamie Phelps (Team Manager) Front Row: Ollie Hough (Narberth) Rhys Power (Neyland) Lucas Davies (Hook) Lewis Miller (Hook) Dominic Asson (Llangwm) Harry Fuller
West Glamorgan U10s (196 for 7) beat Pembrokeshire U10s (157 for 6)
Evan Watts was deservedly applauded from the field following his second successive half century for the Pembrokeshire under 10 team, another performance marking him out as a genuine candidate for higher honours. However, for the second game in succession, in a match producing over 350 runs, his team fell bravely short in a big run chase.
On a fine, warm day on an excellent wicket at Morriston Cricket Club, captain Joe Phillips won the toss and invited West Glamorgan to bat, and Jac Arrowsmith (19) helped to build a solid platform for his team against some tidy bowling and committed fielding, taking his team to 66 for 1 at the drinks break.
Inconsistent county fielding
Following the break the Pembrokeshire bowling became a little inconsistent with Luke Salter (52 retired out) and Cian Davies (24) taking full advantage with a sprinkling of excellent boundaries and some very positive running between the wickets. Under a warm sun and with constant pressure from the West Glamorgan batsmen the Pembrokeshire fielding became a little untidy at times and mistakes began to creep in; the team finally yielding a costly 62 extras to their opponents, almost one third of the final total.
Despite this the Pembrokeshire bowlers continued to give their all with the wickets being picked up by Harry Fuller (1 for 8), Rhys Power (1 for 8), Owen Phelps (1 for 14), Joe Phillips (1 for 19) and Lewis Miller (1 for 38), with Miller also adding a run out from a direct hit to briefly lift his team's spirits.
Looking to build a batting tally
As is indicative of this team, following tea and despite facing a mammoth run chase the Pembrokeshire boys took to their task with a really positive attitude against a disciplined West Glamorgan attack.
Pembrokeshire got away to a slow but steady start with the top order looking to keep the scoreboard ticking over. At the fall of the second wicket Jacob Owen (23) came to the wicket and began to play some really positive shots. He was soon joined by Watts (60), the pair adding 51 for the third wicket.
This partnership began to change the momentum and on Owen's dismissal Watts continued to score all around the wicket with a fabulous display of controlled power before sportingly retiring undefeated. Owen Phelps (12 not out) continued to take the attack to the bowlers with some excellent boundaries but ultimately Pembrokeshire ran out of overs, ending 39 runs short as Ieuan Davies led the West Glamorgan attack finishing with 2 for 8.
Coach Andrew Miller and Team Manager Jamie Phelps were both typically positive after the match about the way in which their charges approached the run chase. However, they also recognised how costly ‘Mr Extras’ had been on the day and will no doubt want to ensure that the team gives a bowling and fielding display more reflective of its true potential when they next take to the field.