Steve steers Town through (From Western Telegraph)

Steve steers Town through

Pembroke (90 all out) lost to Haverfordwest (173 all out) Umpires: Barry Wood and Tony Davies Scorer: Jayne Cole

Forty eight runs from Steve James helped Haverfordwest gain their expected victory at Treleet against a Pembroke side which could only muster ten players and paid the inevitable price.

James provided something of a rescue act after being called in from the seconds following his excellent knock just a mile down the road at Lamphey the previous week, sharing a 71 stand with another veteran in Steve Phillips, who scored 28 from his unusual No 9 berth.

Then Simon Williams and Clive Tucker got among the early Pembroke batting line-up and Matthew Johns completed the victory with another two late wickets in an impressive run of form with the ball.

Yet Pembroke hopes soared early on as Karl Rhead was run out and Andrew Phillips was dismissed by Kevin Jenkins thanks to a Hugh Davies' catch. Dai Davies managed 23 and Phil Sutton scored 18 but at 77 for 6 The Town looked shaky.

But James continued his good form with six fours and two sixes until he was deprived of a half century when Kevin Jenkins returned to bowl the big hitter to round off a 3 for 19 spell in 12 accurate overs (five maidens). Steve Phillips had four boundaries in his important 28 and a final tally of 173 all out was always going to be a test for Pembroke.

And how big a task soon became evident as Simon Williams bowled Matthew Mitchell and then home skipper Barry Evans with only 13 runs on the board. William Davies was run out with a single to his name and father Hugh perished soon afterwards to Simon James as only Paul White stood firm until he was bowled by Johns for an attractive 30 (five fours).

Clive Tucker grabbed 3 for 23 and although Kevin Jenkins managed 23 late on, Pembroke had their backs to the wall as Dai Davies stumped Matthew Fletcher and The Town recorded victory by 83 runs.