A WEEKEND of big wins, shock defeats and abandoned fixtures tightened several promotion races across the Pembroke County Cricket League.

Saundersfoot strengthened their grip on Division One, Pembroke stayed top in Division Two, Laugharne moved ahead in Division Three, while Cresselly III and Haverfordwest IV remain the sides to catch lower down the pyramid.

Division One: Saundersfoot send title warning

Saundersfoot produced the statement performance of the weekend, crushing Carew by 125 runs after posting 208-4. Simon Stanford hit 98, while Nick Cope added an unbeaten 60 before taking 4-7.

Cresselly beat Narberth by 51 runs, Burton defeated Lawrenny by four wickets, and Herbrandston shocked Neyland by 60 runs.

Division Two: Pembroke lead tight race

Pembroke remain top after an eight-wicket win over Llechryd, but the chasing pack is close behind.

Cresselly II edged Johnston by just two runs, while Haverfordwest, Hook and Llanrhian also picked up wins.

Division Three: Laugharne go top

Laugharne moved to the summit after beating Burton II, while Kilgetty slipped up against Lamphey, who bowled them out for just 58.

David Blackwell starred for Lamphey with superb figures of 5-5, while Pembroke II thrashed Stackpole by nine wickets.

Division Four: Leaders under pressure

Rain disrupted the division, but St Ishmaels II and Neyland II both made ground with victories.

St Ishmaels II beat Lawrenny II by seven wickets, while Neyland II defeated Herbrandston II by eight wickets.

Division Five: Llangwm II keep pressure on

Only one game was completed, with Llangwm II beating Whitland II by nine wickets.

John Palmer made 36 and David Lewis 29 as Llangwm II chased 72 with ease.

Division Six: Scourfield century leads Haverfordwest IV

Gareth Scourfield produced one of the performances of the weekend, hitting an unbeaten 124 as Haverfordwest IV chased 212 to beat Haverfordwest/Cresselly by three wickets.

Ollie Toy had earlier made 95 for Haverfordwest/Cresselly.

Weekend stars

£600 RAISED FOR MEGAN’S STARR FOUNDATION AS COMMUNITY SPIRIT SHINES THROUGH

A CHARITY football match at the Ogi Bridge Meadow brought together players, businesses, volunteers and supporters from across Pembrokeshire on Friday night, raising more than £600 for a local charity supporting young people and families.

The match saw a Pembrokeshire Select XI take on a Valero Pembroke Refinery XI under the lights at Haverfordwest County AFC’s home ground, with the Select side comfortably winning on the pitch — but organisers said the real victory was the community effort behind the event.

By the end of the evening, an impressive £605.28 had been raised for Megan’s Starr Foundation, a Pembrokeshire charity which supports young people and families facing difficult circumstances.

For Nicola Harteveld and the Megan’s Starr team, the evening was about far more than football.

Speaking after the match, Nicola said: “As the final whistle blew, the score almost became irrelevant.

“Last night was about community, kindness, generosity and what can happen when people come together to support local young people and families.”

She added: “Last night showed the very best of our county. We are incredibly grateful, incredibly proud and above all proud to be Pembrokeshire.”

The charity thanked Valero Pembroke Refinery for nominating Megan’s Starr as the supported cause and fielding a team led by Steve Parks, while also recognising the refinery’s volunteers who helped behind the scenes.

Credit was also paid to Chris “Sully” O’Sullivan and everyone involved with the Pembrokeshire Select XI for organising the county side, along with players from clubs across Pembrokeshire who gave up their time during the close season to take part.

Haverfordwest County AFC opened the Ogi Bridge Meadow for the match, while Pure West Radio helped create the atmosphere and promote the event across the county.

Darth Marty Media captured the evening’s action, while officials from the Pembrokeshire Referees Association volunteered their time to ensure the match was played in the right spirit.

On the field, spectators were treated to an entertaining encounter featuring quality football from both sides despite the summer break.

Jimmy Wilkes proved the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick to earn Man of the Match honours for the Pembrokeshire Select XI.

However, organisers stressed that the event highlighted something far bigger than football — the willingness of Pembrokeshire people to rally together when it matters.

Megan’s Starr Foundation said it receives no core funding and relies heavily on the generosity of local people, businesses and volunteers to continue its work.

Photos: Darth Marty Media / Megan’s Starr Foundation

FIVE-TONNE racing trucks capable of reaching 100mph will thunder into Pembrey Circuit later this month for the Convoy Cymru Truck Racing Festival.

The British Truck Racing Championship will visit the ‘Home of Welsh Motorsport’ on Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21, with five races scheduled across the weekend and a capacity grid of 20 trucks expected.

The championship battle is finely poised after the opening rounds at Brands Hatch and Thruxton, where four different drivers shared victories.

Every point at Pembrey could prove crucial as the drivers make their only visit of the season to Wales.

2011 champion David Jenkins, driving the Jenkins Motorsport Development MAN TGS, arrives at Pembrey leading the premier Division 1 class.

Ryan Smith, in the Worldwide Truck Racing Daimler Freightliner, is just six points behind as he aims to become the first driver to win 11 titles in the premier class.

Ten-time champion Stuart Oliver, driving the Team Oliver Racing Volvo VNL, is only one point further back in third.

Another driver to watch is Terry Gibbon, who will replace series veteran Richard Collett in the Team Collett Truck Racing MAN TGX. Collett, who claimed a popular victory at Brands Hatch in April, is recovering from major surgery.

In Division 2, reigning champion Jake Evans leads the class for highly modified production-based trucks in his Jake Evans Trucksport MAN TGX.

John Powell, the 2024 Division 2 champion, is second in class in his JP Truck Racing DAF XD, with Bradley Harvey third in only his second season of truck racing.

Away from the truck racing, the weekend will also feature the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, Audi Cup, Civic Cup, Mini Challenge Trophy and Junior Saloon Car Championship.

There will also be tractor pulling demonstrations on Pembrey’s purpose-built track, as well as funfair rides, monster truck rides, live music, a food village and the circuit’s Formula 1 bar and restaurant.

Phil Davies, Pembrey Circuit Manager, said: “Few forms of motorsport put on a show quite like truck racing and the British Truck Racing Championship never disappoints when it visits Pembrey.

“With the championship battle so finely poised, five spectacular races on the schedule and a capacity grid of trucks expected, all the ingredients are in place for a memorable Convoy Cymru Truck Racing Festival weekend.

“Combined with our packed off-track entertainment programme, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re a dedicated motorsport fan or looking for a great family day out.”

Advance tickets cost £22, while children aged 12 and under go free.

More information and tickets are available at pembreycircuit.co.uk.