Vital match ruined by rain (From Western Telegraph)

Vital match ruined by rain

Whitland (141 for 8) versus Lamphey (Abandoned) Umpires: Rob Bellerby and Alan Hansen Scorers: Helen Hodges and Richard Merriman

Rain ruined the vital Division One basement battle between Lamphey and Whitland at tea, leaving both sides with four bonus points and a share of the spoils for a match abandoned.

The final conclusion certainly suited Whitland better because they now need only three points from their final fixture while Lamphey know that to avoid the dreaded drop into the Second Division they must win both their remaining fixtures and hope other results go their way with regard to either Whitland or Llangwm.

The play that did take place saw fortunes ebb and flow to create a fascinating spectacle, with Lamphey skipper Dave Lovell winning the toss and using wily old fox Peter Hall to partner Tim Haggar as the opening bowlers.

Haggar made a vital break-through when he had Dave Lee caught by wicket-keeper Mark Yea with 10 runs on the board and Hall also struck early when Huw Davies slashed at a ball and was comfortably pouched by Yea.

Whitland captain Paul Webb defended resolutely and scored only five runs from 44 deliveries before he departed with the score on 28 in 17 overs as Hywel Gibbs was the bowler and Yea claimed his hat-trick of catches.

But Whitland fought back through talented teenager Rhyddian Harries and Paul Davies, who shared a stand of 72, both running well between the wickets and putting the odd loose ball away for four.

They took the score to exactly 100 before Davies was deceived by a good ball from Lovells left-arm spin and departed for a fine 46 which contained seven boundaries and was made from 66 balls.

It was the start of another good spell for Lamphey as Whitland lurched to 119 for 7, Lovell also removing Matthew Davies and Daniel Griffiths, aided by a fourth Yea catch and a good take by the effervescent Steve Vale.

Sandwiched in between was the demise of Harries, who had scored four fours in his classy 38, with Haggar claiming his second scalp thanks to a good catch at long-on by Andrew Skeels.

Haggar finished with 3 for 28 alongside Lovells 3 for 32 as the Welsh international bowled Dylan Blain - but Mark Lee and another former Welsh cap in Meyrick Rowlands marked his return to First Division action in helping Whitland to a respectable 141 for 8 from their allotted 45 overs.

It was a match nicely poised at tea but then the rain proved too persistent for a restart and although both sides waited patiently in the hope of a restart it was not to be - and current champs Lamphey were left to reflect on a battle over the next two weeks to maintain their status in the top echelon while Whitland now look likely to preserve theirs.

WHITLAND P. Webb ct M. Yea b H. Gibbs 5 D. Lee ct M. Yea b T. Haggar 3 H. Davies ct M. Yea b P. Hall 0 R. Harries ct A. Skeels b T. Haggar 38 P. Davies b D. Lovell 46 M. Davies ct M. Yea b D. Lovell 5 D. Griffiths ct S. Vale b D. Lovell 6 M. Lee not out 9 D. Blain b T. Haggar 10 M. Rowlands not out 3 Extras 16 Total (for 8 wkts) 141 Lamphey bowling: T. Haggar 11-3-28-3; P. Hall 12-4-22-1; H. Gibbs 12-1-46-1; D. Lovell 10-0-32-3. Lamphey did not bat.