PHOTO:
Tour Squad: Back Row: Andrew Miller (Coach) Seth Willington (Hook) Joe Phillips (Llangwm) Evan Watts (Haverfordwest) Matthew Lewis (Coach) Jake Thomas (Narberth) Maisie Davies (Llangwm) Jacob Owen (Hook) Jamie Phelps (Team Manager) Front Row: Owen Phelps (Hook) Corey Lewis (Cresselly) Rhys Power (Neyland) Lucas Davies (Hook) Ollie Hough (Narberth) Lewis Miller (Hook)

 
The Pembrokeshire regional under 10s cricket team recently returned from its tour to Aberystwyth for the annual cricket festival. The commitment and efforts of coaches Andrew Miller and Matthew Lewis and team manager Jamie Phelps (as well as the festival organisers) ensured the young cricketers enjoyed a memorable experience both on and off the field. The team appeared resplendent throughout the tour in their regional training and playing kits, playing three matches over two days before sadly the final day was washed out.
 
Whilst not registering a win the cricket of Pembrokeshire and their opponents in all three matches was of a high standard. As has been the case throughout the season, the team demonstrated high standards of fair play, total commitment and a team spirit and togetherness which drew comment and praise from supporters of all teams.
 

Match One:  Pembrokeshire (156 for 4) lost to Mid Glamorgan (193 for 5)

There was a run feast on day one in a 35-over contest on a good wicket and fast outfield as Mid Glamorgan’s Aled Balham (100) scored his second century of the season against Pembrokeshire.

Sam Humphries (33) put on a stand of 130 with Balham with Mr Extras (48) contributing to a very healthy total as under a very hot sun the Pembrokeshire fielding wilted somewhat, but on a positive note Jacob Owen and Lucas Davies both registered direct hit run outs and Jake Thomas took a superb high catch – and despite finishing without a wicket, Joe Phillips (0 for 11) was the pick of the attack with a very accurate spell of six overs.

Facing a mammoth run chase the team reached 80 for 0 thanks to Lewis Miller (21) and Evan Watts (30). But thereafter Mid Glamorgan managed to restrict the scoring rate and took wickets at crucial times to ultimately claim a 37 run victory. Nevertheless every batsman looked to be positive and give chase. Davies (20 not out) played an attractive innings, Owen (11) played patiently and Seth Willington ensured the team finished the match on a high note with 9 not out from only three balls.
 

Match 2: Pembrokeshire (97 for 4) lost to Eryri (119 for 6)

Day two began for Pembrokeshire with a high scoring T20 match against their opponents from North Wales.
Eryri batted very positively with excellent running between the wicket with E Roberts (22) and J Wilkinson (26 including a big six) leading the scoring. Nevertheless, whatever the coaching team had said to the team overnight paid dividends as the Pembrokeshire fielding, led by Corey Lewis with some superb ground fielding, was massively improved.

Lewis started the ball rolling with a direct hit run out, a feat matched by Rhys Power. Ollie Hough led the bowling attack with 2 for 17. In reply Willington (11) anchored the innings whilst Power (16), Watts (25 including a big six) and Owen Phelps (9) all struck some superb boundaries and batted selflessly for the team. But the Eryri attack led by D Jones (2 for 10) maintained its accuracy to claim a 22 run victory.
 

Match 3: Pembrokeshire (88 all out) lost to West Glamorgan (89 for 8)

The second T20 match of day two saw West Glamorgan scramble two runs from the last ball of the match to claim victory.

It was heartache for the Pembrokeshire players who despite posting a disappointing total had again bowled and fielded superbly to reach a winning position.  

At 23 for 7 Pembrokeshire were in real trouble batting first but Watts (32 not out), Owen (10), Phillips (9) and Miller (8) helped rescue the team. West Glamorgan set off positively but the introduction of Maisie Davies (2 for 12) who had bowled really well over the three matches, and Phelps (2 for 10) changed the course of the match.

Hough and Willington each claimed superb catches to leave their opponents needing nine from the last over to claim victory. In that frantic last over there was tension galore and amidst the chaos that ensued from the last ball of the match the batsman scrambled the two runs required.
 
Despite the three defeats this was a successful tour in every sense. The tour has seen these young players grow as cricketers, as individuals and as a team. Friendships have been forged and memories created that will last a lifetime. Each and every player left Aberystwyth in buoyant mood having represented Pembrokeshire regional cricket with distinction and within the spirit of the game.