Town unearth new batting talent (From Western Telegraph)

Town unearth new batting talent

Llangwm (135 for 8) lost to Haverfordwest (136 for 4) Umpires: Tony Scourfield and Bob Flute Scorers: Jeff Saies and Jayne Cole

Haverfordwest maintained their place at the head of the table as they bowled well to restrict Llangwm to 135 for 8 in their allotted 45 overs - and then batted well to win with 12.3 overs to spare, the winning run appropriately stroked by 16-year-old Richard James.

James looked totally composed as he reached 40 not out, with a lovely pull to square leg and a four through mid-wicket as shots to single out for praise by county president Cyril Venables, who was watching the game and was highly impressed by the youngster.

In contrast, only William Beresford and Andrew Harries looked settled after Ian Gow had departed early to an lbw decision.

But they were made to battle for every run as Paul Thomas and Simon Williams bowled tight spells, Thomas eventually shifting Beresford for 24 and skipper Mark Davies for a duck to finish with 3 for 23 from 12 overs. Henry Thomas and Gary Phillips chipped in with 18 runs apiece and there was a big six from Martyn Inward before he was run out.

There was a wicket brace each for Steve Phillips and Clive Tucker as Andrew Harries finished with an unbeaten 30, including two fours and a six, made from 90 balls, as proof of how well The Town bowled and fielded.

Andrew Phillips and Jonathan Twigg gave the Haverfordwest innings some early impetus as they took their singles well and sprinkled their stand of 61 with boundaries before Phillips was well caught in the gully by Inward off Matthew Hughes for 33, with four fours and two sixes to his credit.

Twigg was then joined by James in advancing the score to 106 but The Town skipper was deceived by a well-flighted ball from Andrew Harries, bowling spin instead of his customary pace, and Matthew Hughes took the catch that dismissed Twigg for 46.

Harries also bowled Karl Rhead for a nine-ball duck and so bamboozled Phil Sutton that he was stumped by Beresford after dancing out of his crease - but young James continued playing his shots and was still there at the finish with Paul Thomas to help his older colleagues to another welcome 28-point haul.

LLANGWM W. Beresford b P. Thomas 24 I. Gow lbw b P. Thomas 5 A. Harries not out 34 M. Davies b P. Thomas 0 H. Thomas c R. James b S. Phillips 18 G. Phillips b C. Tucker 18 R. Scriven c H. Scriven b S. Phillips 3 M. Inward run out 15 D. Brick c P. Thomas b C. Tucker 0 A. Phillips not out 8 Extras 10 Total (for 8 wkts) 135 Bowling: P. Thomas 12-5-23-3; S. Williams -3-16-0; P. Kirkby 5-0-17-0; C. Tucker 12-1-40-2; S. Phillips 7-0-30-2.

HAVERFORDWEST J. Twigg c M. Hughes b A. Harries 46 A. Phillips c M. Inward b M. Hughes 33 R. James not out 40 K. Rhead b A. Harries 0 P. Sutton st W. Beresford b A. Harries 7 P. Thomas not out 5 Extras 5 Total (for 4 wkts) 136 Bowling: A. Phillips 8-0-35-1; D. Brick 4-0-12-1; M. Hughes 6-1-17-1; M. Inward 8-1-31-0; A. Harries 6.3-0-36-3.