8^th January 2025
 
Umpires: Chris Stapleton & Neil Crawshaw
Scorers: Ian Milsom, Clarissa & Johnny Lewis
Venue: Neyland Community Hub
 

Cresselly take a major step to the section silverware

 

Herbrandston (92 for 3) lost to Cresselly (93 for 2) by 4 wickets

 
Cresselly took a big step towards the division two title as they beat table-topping Herbrandston in a fascinating contest at the Neyland Hub,

They restricted the free-scoring Herbie side to 92 for 3 with their potent mix of youth and experience, and then benefitted from a couple of missed catching chances and the rare gift of SEVEN WIDES from one delivery in an almost farcical moment as early as the third over, from which they scored 23 runs!

 
Even then there was a slightly tense finale as Cresselly seemed home and dry since they only needed two runs off the final over, bowled by Herbie’s promising young bowler Dillon Lewis, and needed FOUR balls to get them!
 

So, Herbie remain in top spot after this match completed their programme, whilst Cresselly now meet Neyland B knowing that they need 16 points from their final match, which means they need to win by scoring 125 runs and bowling the opposition out.

 
Herbie suffered an early blow when they lost a good run-maker in Atticus Kingston (3) as he was run out by Tom Rowlands, but then Charlie Malloy and Rhys Power advanced the score with strong straight shots and good running between the wickets.
 

Malloy had to retire on 25 (including a four and a six) and Power was bowled by Ollie Rowlands for 24 but the run rate was slowed by some accurate bowling and great support fielding as Robbie Hood (8) was caught by Rowlands (senior) off Charlie Arthur.
 

Veteran keeper Dai Malloy rattled up an unbeaten 21 and teenager Dillon Lewis scored a three off the only ball he faced, leaving Herbie on a solid total - but one that was in danger if the Cresselly ‘Young Guns’ started firing.

 
And fire they dad as Griff Jenkins made 18 before he was caught by Robbie Hood off Charlie Malloy - but in the third over one delivery was adjudged wide and chaos ensued as a shy at the stumps allowed the chance for another two runs and worse was to follow as a further fielding error eventually saw seven runs added to the score off that single ball!
 

Charlie Arthur showed why he is one of the best players of indoor cricket as he blitzed two fours and two sixes in scoring 27 in only ten deliveries and throughout this time veteran opener Neal Williams showed what a good influence he is on his younger colleagues as he retired on 26 - but had survived a chance on 10 when keeper Malloy (senior) dropped him off Dillon Lewis’s second delivery!
 

Ollie Arthur went cheaply but Tom and Ollie Rowlands calmly finished things off as their team-mates looked just a little edgy - and now they face the challenge of beating basement battler Neyland B in their fixture!
 

 

Lawrenny play well to beat The Lightning

 

Haverfordwest Lightning (92 all out) lost to Lawrenny (93 for 2) by 4 wickets

 
Lawrenny’s talented young team (average age under 17) again showed what giant strides they have made during this indoor season as they comfortably beat Haverfordwest Lightning, which is The Town’s experienced first team.

 
Mikey Jones led The Lightning batting, as he has done so often, and reached 28 not out before retiring, with co-opener Johnny White chipping in with 19 before he was run out. Peter Soulsby came in at No 3 and contributed 21 before he was also run out by Lawrenny’s eager youngsters, as was Dylan Lee (5), who certainly dropped his team’s average age on the night.

 
Steffan Bridger was bowled for a duck by Oscar Lewis (1 for 13) before James Marchant showed he can still cut the mustard with 12 not out as Rhys Eynon and Taylor Lewis bowled tight spells for the village team.

 
Will Allen, the oldest in the Lawrenny team at 19, opened with six runs for Lawrenny, caught by Soulsby off Lee, who also had Oscar Lewis (4) caught by the same fielder in his excellent 2 for 18 spell.

 
Lee also caught Noah Williams (4) but Finley Lewis eventually reached 32 not out in his two stints at the crease and Rhys Eynon chipped in with 25 not out as Lawrenny reached their target with wickets and overs in hand - and if they can maintain the same team next campaign they will be challenging for the second division silverware in 2025!





 
Editor’s Note: For the record – the Cresselly ages are as follows:
Finley Lewis (18), Will Allen (19), Rhys Eynon (17), Oscar Lewis (15), Noah Williams (17) and Taylor Lewis (15)
That’s a combined total of 101 years at an average age of just over 16.8 runs per player!