NEYLAND are through to the last 16 of the National Village Cup after they beat West Midlands side Milford Hall on Sunday (Jun 20).

They made the long trip up on Sunday morning having not played in the league the day before and were looking forward to their game.

Neyland won the toss and elected to field first but their opponents made a good score of 191-6 from their 40 overs.

There were wickets early on for Henry Durrant and Nathan Banner which left Milford on 8-2 but Aaron Afford and James Davis dug in for the home side.

They shared 58 runs for the third wicket but that partnership was broken by Patrick Bellerby who ran out Afford on a score of 36.

Ross Hardy then got in on the act as he claimed his first wicket of the day to reduce Milford to 71-4.

Another good stand worth 80 runs between Davis and captain Stuart Phazey followed as they looked to set up a strong total.

The partnership was eventually broken by Jack John who had Davis caught by Bellerby on a score of 49.

Phazey had reached his half century moments earlier as he hit eight fours and a six in a score of 55 but he was then caught by George Evans off the bowling of Brad McDermott-Jenkins.

Tom Eley then finished unbeaten on 21 and Kevin Royce finished not out on 16 as they set Neyland a target of 192 to win the game.

Neyland also lost two wickets at the start of their reply as Chris Dean removed both Patrick Bellerby and Ashley Sutton.

Nathan Banner and Nick Koomen looked to steady the innings and they shared 47 runs for the third wicket.

Banner was then stumped off the bowling of Ron Firth on a score of 24.

Ross Hardy then joined Koomen in the middle and they shared another forty runs for the fourth wicket.

Hardy hit three fours and a six in his score of 23 but he was then caught off the bowling of Stuart Phazey.

Koomen continued to put runs on the board and was joined by Henry Durrant, with the pair adding another 54 runs on the board.

Koomen had hit nine fours in his score of 66 but he was then bowled by Phazey to leave Neyland on 145-5.

Durrant and Brad McDermott-Jenkins then added another 31 runs as Neyland edged closer to victory.

McDermott-Jenkins smashed three sixes and a four in a score of 24 from 11 balls but he then fell to the bowling of Aaron Afford.

Afford then had Durrant caught on a score of 20 to reduce Neyland to 180-7.

Sean Hannon and Andrew Miller then took over with Hannon reaching a score of 8 before the final over.

Miller grabbed two off the second ball meaning they needed just one more to win. Off the next ball Miller hit a four to win the game for Neyland.

After the game, Sean Hannon said: “Delighted by the win, home advantage is obviously key in this competition but thankfully we travelled with a strong team and it paid.

“The boys done brilliantly well to win the game and it was pleasing to see everyone chipping in with runs or wickets.”

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL has agreed to donate £250 to the town’s cricket club as they continue their National Village Cup campaign.

Neyland beat Cresselly in the Dyfed Area final earlier this month to progress to the last 32 of the competition.

This Sunday (Jun 20), they travel to the West Midlands to take on Milford Hall and the town’s mayor has agreed to meet their expenses.

If Neyland can continue their journey in the Village Cup a final at ‘the home of cricket’, Lords awaits in September.

Mayor Simon Hancock said: “As Mayor, in consultation with the clerk, we have agreed to make a donation of £250 to Neyland Cricket Club to help meet their expenses in travelling to Stafford in the West Midlands on Sunday.

“They are down to the final 32 teams left in the Voneus Village Cup originally drawing 350 teams from England, Scotland and Wales.

“The Neyland Cricket team have achieved astonishing success over recent years and Neyland Town Council want to assist them in reaching Lords, ‘the home of cricket’ in September. Good luck for Sunday’s fixture.”

CRYMYCH Cricket Club has launched an appeal for new players to join the club as it looks to fulfil its fixtures.

The club, founded 40 years ago, plays in Division 4 of the Pembroke County Cricket Club league but has seen several players unable to commit to playing due to family or other reasons.

They also play games in the Ken Morris Cup and in the Tivy Valley League during weekdays.

On their social media, the club has warned that they face folding if they are unable to find new players.

Crymych’s latest fixture on Saturday, June 12, had to be cancelled because they were unable to raise a team.

It meant that there opponents, Llechryd Seconds, were awarded the 20 points as Crymych were unable to fulfil the fixture.

This Saturday (Jun 19), Crymych are scheduled to visit Whitland seconds and the following week (Jun 26) they are scheduled to face Carew thirds on home soil.