Dropped catches cost Llangwm dear (From Western Telegraph)

Dropped catches cost Llangwm dear

Cresselly (152 for 7) beat Llangwm (151 for 8) Umpires: Dai Morris and Mike Heritage Scorers: Louisa Cole and Jeff Saies

Cresselly gained a three-wicket home win over Llangwm as their victory tally of 152 for 7 was substantially aided by 34 runs from Mr Extras - and Llangwm were also left to reflect on two fairly easy catches dropped in the latter stages of the game which meant that the home side was let off the hook at a vital time and eased home after a stutter which saw them lose three wickets for five runs.

With both sides needing the points after recent loss of form, it was Cresselly skipper Richard Harris who won the toss and put Llangwm in to bat, gaining the early success he sought as key run-getter William Beresford touched a lifter from James Caine into Hugh Griffiths gloves having scored just a single.

Andrew Harries looked in good touch but was well caught by Caine off Richard Harris from a high swirler with 15 to his name - and it was left to Ian Gow and George Thomas to carve out a welcome stand of 60 before the latter was caught and bowled for 20 with four fours included. Gow was at his obdurate best, however, the left-hander clipping eight boundaries before he finally fell for 57 with the score at 124, the second return catch taken by Richards, who had come on as fifth choice bowler and made an impact.

Llangwm then suffered a typical batting demise in their run chase as only skipper Mark Davies and Henry Thomas managed double figures, both removed by Mark Harris in his second spell, Davies from a skier at cover that was pouched by Phil Williams and Thomas clean bowled, as was Andrew Phillips as Mark Harris joined Richards in taking a three-wicket haul.

Cresselly openers Julian Arthur and Richard Harris contributed a stand of 35 before Arthur departed for 13, including a six, bowled by Andrew Phillips.

He was replaced by younger brother Damian, who looked in fine touch as he joined Harris in taking the score to 56 before the Cresselly captain gave a catch to keeper Beresford off Matthew Hughes having contributed 19 runs.

Lyn Richards and Ryan Lewis managed double figures as Damian Arthur held matters together but when Arthur departed for 45 (five fours), caught at mid-on by Jo-Jo Francis off Phillips, there was pressure on Cresselly to score the last 25 runs needed to win as Phillips and Darren Brick bowled well.

But then those key catches were spilled and Hugh Griffiths and Sean Jenkins steered their side home by three wickets with an over to spare.