Lamphey gain vital win (From Western Telegraph)

Lamphey gain vital win

Lamphey (199 for 3) beat Cresselly (199 for 8) Umpires: Ray Kane and Barry Wood Scorers: Helen Hodges and Dave Richards

Dave Lovell helped Lamphey keep alive their hopes of making the dreaded drop into Division Two as he registered a score of 93 not out against Cresselly, helping his side to a seven-wicket success that was followed up by news of Llangwms draw at Whitland which gives the current title holders hope of a late reprieve.

Lovells first important job of the afternoon was to win the toss and he had little hesitation in asking opposite number Richard Harris to bat first. But Cresselly made a solid start through Lyn Richards (13) and Julian Arthur (28) until the former player chipped a little catch to Daniel Sutton off Hywel Gibbs at short mid-wicket with the score on 29.

Damian Arthur came and went at the same score, top-edging Gibbs in the same over to Andrew Skeels, who ran in and pouched a well-judged catch at fine leg - and Cresselly soon found themselves struggling at 43 for 4 as Julian Arthur followed a series of good strokes with a poor one against Tim Haggar which saw Haydn Cole stooping to take a low catch at wide mid-wicket, and Richard Harris adjudged caught behind by Mark Yea off Haggar for a duck.

Worse was to follow as Paul Luke was rapped on the hand and had to retire, but Simon Hart steadied the rocking ship in a good stand with Phil Williams, who scored 38 (five fours) before he was also caught behind, this time off Steve Vale.

But Hart found further allies in Ryan Lewis (25 in only 22 deliveries) and James Caine, who was out off the last ball of the innings having scored even faster with 23 in 15 balls.

Hart, who travels from work in London to play each week-end, was left unbeaten on 51, an excellent innings which contained eight boundaries - and Cressellys final tally of 198 for 8 was certainly a deal more than they might have expected at the half-way mark of their allotted 45 overs, despite useful spells by Hywel Gibbs (2 for 26) Haggar (2 for 44) and Lovell (3 for 55).

Lamphey also started steadily via Daniel Sutton and Peter Hall - but lost both batsmen as Sutton was caught by Phil Williams for 15 off Marc Harriss bowling and the veteran Hall suffered a migraine attack and had to retire ill. But Lovell looked in good form and he found excellent support from Gareth Lewis, who scored 37 before he was tempted by a short ball from Stefan Jenkins and was caught around the corner by Damian Arthur. Mark Yea didnt stay long as he was removed by Richards, assisted by Ryan Lewis - but Hall returned to support his skipper with a typically gritty 40 (six fours), still there at the end as Lovell had 13 boundaries in a chanceless 93 that helped his side home with four overs to spare. Prior to the match, both teams, scorers, umpires and supporters stood for a minutes silence in memory of little Holly and Jessica.