Sport
Pembrokeshire outgunned by Carmarthen
PEMBROKESHIRE produced an excellent team performance but on the day were outgunned by their counterparts from Carmarthenshire on Sunday (Jul 7).
Llechryd CC was the venue for this 30 over match, which saw Carwyn Jones emerge as the Carmarthenshire hero with an outstanding innings of 90 not out to win the day.
Pembrokeshire skipper Ifan Wyn-Jones won the toss and elected to bat on a dry pitch and very fast outfield. He opened the innings with Oscar Lewis and these two gave their team a flying start with an all action partnership of 60.
Lewis looked in fine form, striking five boundaries before a mix up saw him stranded mid-pitch and run out for 27. Pembrokeshire were dealt a double blow when they lost key run gatherer Rhys Phelps next over.
Wyn-Jones was joined by Oscar Willington, these two continuing the assault on the bowlers in a partnership of 44. With the total at 104, Wyn-Jones went for a superb 31 in his debut regional innings having hit four boundaries. Once again Pembrokeshire lost two quick wickets as Willington followed soon after, having looked well set with a classy 32 from only 25 balls including five boundaries.
William Harries (12) played a brief cameo before holing out, which left Delme Morris-Alleyne and Rhys Jones to take the innings to a close at 171 for 6.
These two batted well together in a partnership of 33, finishing undefeated on 18 and 11 respectively.
For Carmarthenshire the bowlers found it tough work in the conditions but spinners Jacob Williams (3 for 19) and Tomos Axford (2 for 29) led the way in keeping their team in the hunt alongside an excellent spell from Ruby Kirk.
In reply Carmarthenshire were soon in trouble at 5 for 2, with Willington (2 for 18) grabbing the wickets of the dangerous Axford and Cellan Allcock in his first over. This brought Steffan Bennett, grandson of Wales rugby legend Phil Bennett, and Jones to the crease.
A couple of early chances went begging for the bowlers but thereafter these two batted superbly in a partnership of 95. Bennett went for 31 including four boundaries and Matthew Mitchell (16) continued the support for Jones.
Jamie Keating (1 for 13) and Dylan James (1 for 16) along with a run out from Morris-Alleyne kept Pembrokeshire in the game, but Jones was not to be denied. He struck 10 boundaries and three sixes in his classy undefeated 90 to take his team to victory with three overs to spare.
Both teams produced a feast of high standard cricket for a large and appreciative crowd. All of the players deserve credit for their performances in what was a great advert for the game.
Pembrokeshire Squad: Ifan Wyn-Jones (c) (Llechryd), Oscar Lewis (Lawrenny), Rhys Phelps (Hook), Oscar Willington (Hook), William Harries (Hook), Delme Morris-Alleyne (Llechryd), Dylan James (Hook), Rhys Jones (Whitland), Jamie Keating (Kilgetty), Liam Morley-Trivett (Laugharne), Sam Lynch (Laugharne)
Sport
Clarby stand in the way of Goodwick double
Two thrilling semi finals last weekend has meant Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road will meet in the senior cup final this coming Saturday.
Goodwick faced Pennar Robins in their semi final who pushed the champions very hard. Carl Vincent will be disappointed but proud of the Robins as they gave a great account of themselves. However in the end Goodwick’s quality and experience just was too much for Vincent’s team.
The other semi was an absolute thriller, and after a nail biting game Matthew Fox’ Clarby progressed to the final. A offside call has sparked a lot of debate around the county. However it seems that linesman Jenkins made an absolute perfect call so credit to him for that.
Both teams would have wanted a nice week of preparation for the final, maybe without any games to play. Unfortunately this hasn’t been possible due to the fixture backlog and both outfits have played already this week.
Goodwick will be favourites of course, however if anyone can upset the apple cart Saturday it’s this Clarbeston Road team. Fox’ outfit have impressed over and over this season. Without too much pressure on them, they are in a good place going into the final.
The double at one staged looked like the minimum Goodwick would be aiming for this season. However losses in other cup competitions, means its Senior Cup success or just the league title for the outstanding team of the season. Oddly becoming champions with no cup success maybe seen as a huge disappointment considering their dominance this season. A unique pressure. However if anyone can handle that pressure it’s O’Sullivans outfit.
Sport
Swifts eyes on double.
Monkton Swifts reserves have blown away the second division this season and now have the double in their sights. They face Merlins Bridge reserves in the semi final of the second division cup and lived up to their favourites tag.
Swifts won comfortably with key player Butland getting three assists and Josh Sture grabbing a brace. Waterman and Rhys Sture added the other goals as outstanding Monkton won 4-0.
Herbrandston and Johnston played in the other semi final and this was a much harder fixture to call. The promoted Herbie a younger and perhaps less physical outfit in comparison to the Tigers. Johnston quickly took control of the game when they found themselves two up after just 29 minutes.
However when Scott Murray was shown a red card just eight minutes later, Herbie would have been confident of staging a comeback. Despite being a man light, Johnston held Herbie until the final minute of the 90, when Alex Ouzman gave Herbie late hope. The Tigers held firm however and progress to the final where they will be underdogs. A tag that I’m sure the players and manager Steven Allen won’t mind too much.
Sport
Tenby hit five against downbeat Bridge
On a beautiful day in Tenby, the hosts welcomed Merlins Bridge to The Clicketts, fresh from their West Wales semi final defeat midweek.
The Bridge squad was missing some influential players after picking up some injuries and the visiting team asked questions over the fitness of the pitch, which, according to the Bridge management, was too hard.
The referee waved these away and the game was on, with the Tenby squad clearly thinking they were already in the heads of the Bridge team.
Almost straight from Kick off Tenby set their stall out with some great attacking play, which Jerome Mansbridge benefitted from in just the second minute putting the home team ahead.
The bridge players weren’t at the races and Tenby capitalised scoring a further 4 first half goals, including a Mansbridge hat trick, leaving the away team bewildered and 5-0 down at half time.
What could have been a hugely embarrassing defeat for a team that harboured title hopes at the beginning of the season, turned around somewhat at half time, when Dai Davies, the club captain, almost singlehandedly dragged them to a much higher level in the second half, ensuring his players kept their discipline and worked hard against a very good Tenby team. Undoubtedly Merlin’s Bridge were the better team in the second period, but the damage had already been done in the first half, and despite Bridges best efforts, the score remained 5-0 to the home team.
In a game which saw Tenby jump to 4th in the league, they can be hugely proud of their season and will look to build on that for their next in Division one.
A fantastic game on a beautiful day with a good home crowd watching, the team from the Clicketts will be justifiably happy with their afternoons work.
Tenby 5-0 Merlins Bridge.
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