Relegation looms for Lamphey (From Western Telegraph)

Relegation looms for Lamphey

Lamphey (205 for 6) lost to Lawrenny (206 for 2) Umpires: Les Hastings and Mike Heritage Scorers: Helen Hodges and Malcolm Thomas

A dashing 74 not out by Steve Lewis helped Lawrenny gain a convincing win over Lamphey on a batting track that was made for runs and bowlers on both sides toiled hard with little reward.

The Lamphey wicket is rightly regarded as one of the best in the county and the home side reached 161 without loss when they were asked to take first use, finished with 205 for 6 as Lawrenny defended stoutly to keep the scoreboard relatively quiet late on - and then Lawrenny batted well to reach such a big target in only 39 overs and with eight wickets in hand.

Peter Hall and Daniel Sutton gave Lamphey their solid start as the former reached his half century from 99 balls and Sutton scored his first 50 in 80 deliveries. They raised the tempo in the second part of their innings before Hall finally played on to Ian Jenkins with 71 (seven fours) to his name.

Sutton departed at 179 having stroked two lovely straight sixes and ten fours in his classy 86 and the arrival of Dave Lovell at the crease, with such a daunting score already posted, prompted Lawrenny to post nine men around the boundary - and the ploy worked as he was bowled by Simon Cole for 20 going for a big hit after Hywel Gibbs had been run out going for a risky second from the first ball he faced.

Rob Williams was the pick of the Lawrenny bowlers with 2 for 39 as Lamphey finished on 205 for 6, easily beating their previous best score of 148 this season - but Chris Vincent and the recalled Adrian Harries gave Lawrenny just the start they needed in an opening stand of 99 before they both departed in Ian Kerrisons second over, Harries caught by Lovell for a gritty 42 (four fours) and Vincent touching a ball into Alan Lewiss gloves when he had reached 48 (six fours and a six).

It was just the platform that Steve Lewis loves and with James Buckle sensibly settling into the supporting role began to attack the Lamphey bowling with such a vengeance that even Dave Lovells normally teasing slow left arm stuff went for 61 runs in eight overs. Lewis had eight fours in his unbeaten 74 and Buckle a four and six in his 29 not out as Lawrenny maintained their march up the table, while Lamphey remain rooted firmly at the bottom as a result of Llangwms easy win a mile down the road at Treleet.

LAMPHEY P. Hall b I. Jenkins 71 D. Sutton b R. Williams 86 D. Lovell b S. Cole 20 H. Gibbs run out 1 R. Mathias not out 1 G. England b R. Williams 1 N. Shelmerdine run out 5 Extras 31 Total (for 5 wkts) 206 Bowling: R. Williams 11-0-39-2; S. Cole 7-0-32-1; S. Lewis 12-0-41-0; S. Rees 3-0-11-0; I. Jenkins 12-0-44-1.

LAWRENNY A. Harries c D. Lovell b I. Kerrison 42 C. Vincent c A. Lewis b I. Kerrison 48 S. Lewis not out 74 J. Buckle not out 29 Extras 13 Total (for 2 wkts) 206 Bowling: H. Gibbs 8-1-25-0; S. Vale 8-0-30-0; G. England 5-1-17-0; D. Lovell 8-0-61-0; I. Kerrison 6-0-40-2; D. Sutton 3-0-17-0; P. Hall 1-0-8-0.