Carew (156 for 8) drew with Neyland (225 for 8)

NEYLAND have deservedly retained the title after getting the better of the draw at Carew on Saturday.

There can be no real cricket followers in the county who would say it wasn’t fully deserved because they are home grown team, play with a passion and don’t have a weak link.

Their success is all the more meritorious because they lost skipper Gregg Miller midway through the season but found a very capable deputy in Sean Hannon; who has not only become one of the best keepers in the county but showed his fighting spirit in this tough tussle with an unbeaten half century.

Neyland acquired runs steadily via Paul Murray (31), Ashley Sutton (32), Nathan Banner (38) and Henry Durrant (37) before the innings received some vital impetus from acting skipper Sean Hannon, who had a liberal sprinkling of boundaries in his undefeated 53.

Cousins Rhys and Tom Davies bowled well for Carew with respective hauls of 3 for 61 and 3 for 48, alongside Martin Scourfield (2-7) and Ian Forrester (1-35).

Carew lost James Hinchliffe for 16 before a partnership of 60 by Nick Scourfield (42) and Tom Davies (41) got them back on track – but only Rhys Davies (19) and Scott Richards (17 not out on debut) managed double figures thereafter against Gary Lloyd (1-21), Nathan Banner (2-37), Nick Koomen (2-11) and Henry Durrant (2-24).

It left Carew holding on for the draw at 156 for 8 and Tony Scourfield, the chairman of Pembroke County Cricket Club, presented the James Morris Memorial Trophy to Neyland.

Umpires: Dave Brandon & Richard Merriman.

Scorers: Julie Davies & John Laugharne.