County programme decimated by rain (From Western Telegraph)

County programme decimated by rain

The first Division programme was ruined on Saturday as not one match got anywhere near finishing, despite the brave efforts of groundsman - and players who turned out in conditions that resembled a bad October afternoon than a Saturday at the end of May.

But they say it is an ill wind (and rain!) that does no-one any good because current league leaders HAVERFORDWEST benefited since they were without a game after Kilgettys demise and so could watch as the chasing pack had no chance to make up any ground through The Towns enforced inactivity!

CAREW came closest to a win as they restricted WHITLAND to 81 for 5 in 35 overs as Paul Davies batted well for 38 not out in difficult conditions.

Pikey Davies, who is due to be married in a fortnight and so will be missed by Paul Webbs relatively young side, dumped Rob Scourfield into the short-boundary hedge for a six and also picked up three fours to steer Whitland to safety after they had looked unsteady at 50 for 5 before Mark Lee joined him.

Daniel Griffiths also had two fours in his 14 before he was bowled by spinner John Canton, who also trapped Colin John LBW shortly afterwards.

Canton finished with 2 for 9 in ten overs while skipper Darren Thomas supported well with an earlier 2 for 15 in eight overs as James Owen grabbed the only other wicket to fall.

HOOK managed 29 for 1 at CRESSELLY as Mick Haltam was the only batsman to fall, caught by Damian Arthur off the bowling of Lyn Richards for five runs - but Jamie Phelps (14) and Martin Rowlands (4) were there when the umpires decided enough was enough and took the players in for a thoroughly deserved hot shower!

Just down the road at LAWRENNY there was a similar picture as current champs LAMPHEY managed 24 for 1 after having Peter Hall brilliantly caught in the covers by Ian Jenkins off skipper Rob Williams for a single.

Daniel Sutton (10) and Gareth Lewis, making a welcome return alongside Mark Yea and Robert Mathias, were not out when the rain swept up the Cleddau Estuary to send the players scurrying for shelter.

LLANGWM were also affected by the rain at Pill Parks as they lost Ian Gow, William Beresford and Andrew Harries against PEMBROKE - but at 39 for 3 they also had to abandon the game because of the awful weather.