Kirkby maintains purple patch as Town recover to win (From Western Telegraph)

Kirkby maintains purple patch as Town recover to win

St Ishmaels (155 for 7) lost to Haverfordwest (156 for 5) Umpires: John Williams and Ray Kane Scorers: Wendy Bradshaw and Jayne Cole

Another outstanding display by Phil Kirkby steered Haverfordwest to victory over St Ishmaels with three balls to spare, the talented all-rounder stroking another 59 runs with the bat after taking 4 for 29, including the prized scalps of Jonathan Pawlett, Steve and Andrew Williams.

Kirkby had already amassed 346 runs without being out in the first four matches this campaign so although he finally fell to the spin of Steve Williams he can currently boast an average of 405!

Tish were asked to bat first and started well via the Williams brothers, who put on 50 before Kirkby came on as fourth bowler to remove Andrew Williams with the aid of a Matthew Johns' catch, following up by bowling Steve Williams and then Jonathan Pawlett.

Clive Tucker helped exert a squeeze on the run rate with two wickets and when Andrew Palmer was run out for 23 Tish had to settle for a solid 155 for 7, perhaps a little less than they might have expected at one stage.

But it suddenly appeared to be a large score as The Town lost opener Richard James and No 3 Danny Potter without a run to either's name as the score stood at 5 for 2.

But skipper Jonathan Twigg and the recalled Andrew Phillips redressed the balance with some common sense batting until Twigg was forced to retire hurt with a bad back.

This brought Kirkby to the crease and the powerful left hander was quickly into his stride alongside Phillips, who finally departed for 28 to the bowling of Andrew Palmer. Phil Sutton came and went cheaply but Dai Davies batted well so that when Kirkby departed after hitting another seven fours and a six it was Davies and Matthew Johns who steered them to victory with just three balls of an absorbing clash to spare.

The match ball was sponsored by Marilyn Carne and the teas were provided by Liz and Helen Griffiths.