Town start with a win as rain affects programme (From Western Telegraph)

Town start with a win as rain affects programme

Haverfordwest and Pembroke started their season with wins but the matches at Hook and Llangwm were curtailed by rain.

The sad demise of Kilgetty was a major talking point around the boundaries and much of the interest in the first division of the Pembroke County Cricket Club League, sponsored by Dragon Sports, centred on how well champions Lamphey would do without several key players.

Lamphey entertained Haverfordwest on a pitch which looked a picture and veteran Peter Hall showed what an asset he still is by carrying his bat for 48 runs. He joined Daniel Sutton (41) in an opening stand of 76 and they finished on 138 for 4 after Nick Shelmerdine had given some impetus with two sixes in his 24.

Hywel Gibbs contributed 12, including a six, before he was run out - and then grabbed two quick wickets to reduce The Town to 26 for 2, Haverfordwest skipper Jonathan Twigg led by example, though, and despite needing a runner he scored 77 before being bowled by Greg England. He was out eight runs short of victory on 139 for 5 in 39.2 overs and his main partner was Steve Phillips, who was 28 not out at the finish.

Pembroke started badly against Whitland as they lost Barry Evans and new recruit Craig Nutty for ducks but Matthew Mitchell smashed 43 of the first 49 runs before becoming Paul Davies third victim.

Paul Webb (3 for 20) and Stuart Harries (4 for 35) also bowled well for Whitland but Pembroke moved to a healthy score through Hugh Davies (15), Paul White (17) and No 10 Martin Fletcher, who smashed a big six in his unbeaten 23.

Paul Webb top-scored with a patient 25 for Whitland but Kevin Jenkins (1 for 18) and new skipper Gwyn Griffiths (3 for 9) applied the pressure early on and spin twins Nigel Phillips (2 for 15) and White (3 for 10) did the rest as Whitland were shot out for 75.

Spare a thought for Carew at the start of a new season because they shot out Hook for 40 and then the rain came in - and on Monday they were due to play Kilgetty!

James Owen (6 for 13) and new captain Darren Thomas ((3 for 17) were unplayable and Simon Wood marked his debut with 1 for 10. For Hook, Gary Martin topped the scoring with 13 and the next highest scorer was Neil Davies, on six!

Just down the road at Llangwm a high-scoring tussle was in prospect against Lawrenny on a good-looking Pill Parks pitch as Llangwm were at 155 for 5 in only 35 overs, with Andrew Ackie Harries looking ready for a ton on 70 not out, made from only 69 deliveries. Skipper Mark Davies blasted three sixes and two fours in 31 made from only 17 balls to provide impetus with useful cameos from Martyn Inward (17) and Ian Gow (15).

Second Division:

Burton got off to a winning start at Llechryd in a low-scoring match with skipper Chris Campbell leading them to 114 all out with his 35. David Murphy chipped in with 24 as Dylan Roberts (4 for 22) and David Williams (3 for 25) were the principal Llechryd wicket-takers.

Steve Curran batted well for the homesters with 38 but only Ryan Williams managed double figures alongside him and wily old foxes Steve Jones and Johnnie Scale picked up 3 for 13 apiece. Kevin Roberts (2 for 22) and Chris Murray (1 for 18) also featured as Burton won by 38 runs.

Brian Hall marked his return to Carew by scoring 81 against St Ishmaels, Jeremy Griffiths was the only other major contributor with 22 as Jonathan Pawlett claimed 5 for 28 and Graham Salter 2 for 28.

Pawlett also led the way with the bat, scoring 34 alongside Phil Hart (16) and Andrew Palmer (14) but tight bowling by Ceri Davies (2 for 25), Martin Scourfield (2 for 25) and Gareth Brace (2 for 4) restricted Tish to 123 for 7.

There were also runs galore at Saundersfoot, who batted first and scored 159 for 6 against Johnston thanks to Steve Cook (54), Nick Joseph (43 not out) and Paul Mansbridge (15).

For Johnston, the wickets were shared by Steve James, Steve Jenkins and Charlie Mapp, who showed what a fine all-rounder he has become by scoring 38 not out as Johnston ended up just eight runs short with three wickets left. Chris Walters (21), Gary Stephens (28) and Johnnie Summers (20) also batted well but with two wickets apiece from Dickie Parcell, Chris Parker and Mansbridge the Seasiders were able to ensure they had the better of the draw.

The Johnston match-day sponsor was Lawrence Landfill, Haverfordwest. The Johns brothers, Davy and Matthew, certainly featured for Narberth as they had the better of a home draw against Stackpole.

Davy had eight fours and a six in his excellent 63 and was supported by Henry Wilson (14) and Marc Hughes (20) as Jason Coles was the pick of the Stackpole bowlers, his slow left-armers earning him figures of 4 for 26.

Stackpole could only make slow progress against Matthew Johns, who picked up superb figures of 6 for 35 - and they were only on 99 for 7 with one over to go after Phil Stephens (24), Alan Webster (28) and Haydn Phillips had batted steadily.

But then Anthony Canton cut loose with four big sixes and a four in the last over from Marc Hughes and Stackpole finished on a little more flattering 128 for 7!

Daniel Potter made a great start to the new season for Haverfordwest seconds with 75 against Neyland, as did teenager Richard James, with 37 not out.

They sent The Town Stiffs racing to 142 for 2 in 40 overs, with Rob Summons and Mickie Phillips itching to boost the late run rate - but the rains swept over the racecourse and that was that!