Carew confirm Pembroke's plight as relagation battle intensifies (From Western Telegraph)

Carew confirm Pembroke's plight as relagation battle intensifies

Carew (92 for 2) beat Pembroke (91 all out) Umpires: Trefor Evans and Mike Harries Scorer: Sue Phillips

Carew confirmed their right to be the champions of Pembrokeshire Cricket as they demolished a Pembroke side already on its way to Division Two and managing a total of 91 after skipper Barry Evans won the toss and elected to bat against his former colleagues.

It was never going to be enough runs to challenge Carew's powerful batting line-up and after 20.1 overs the homes side's skipper Darren Thomas was able to receive the James Morris Memorial Cup from County Club chairman Phil Thomas to go with the Harrison-Allen Bowl that already adorns the Carew clubhouse.

Thomas has certainly led by example this campaign and he grabbed 3 for 12 in 12 overs (five maidens) in an opening attack of 24 overs shared by Simon Wood (2 for 19 with seven maidens). Thomas also took a fizzer of a catch at second slip to remove Pembroke danger man Mark Fraser and as a result, Pembroke's innings was in tatters at 39 for 6 before talented teenager Phil Hay scored 22 and Nigel Phillips a dozen alongside 19 extras.

Gwyn Griffiths produced his usual whole-hearted bowling form as he removed Carew openers Ian Sefton and Nick Scourfield but Rob Scourfield and Aled Davies steered them home to confirm their right to be considered by far the best side in the county for 2003! Whitland (184 all out) lost to Llangwm (187 for 4) Umpires: Dave Brandon and Keith Edwards Scorers: Richard Merriman and Jeff Saies

For the second week in succession a fine batting display earned Llangwm an excellent win and finally steered them away from any chance of relegation, with George Thomas again in fine fettle as he top scored with 84 runs as his side won with seven balls to spare.

Dave Lee (52) and Paul Davies (30) gave Whitland a good start as they moved to 90 for 1 but then only Colin John looked assured with a typically neat 54 as spinner Alister Platten grabbed four wickets and Llangwm skipper Darren Brick chipped in with three more scalps.

Then Llangwm openers Platten and George Thomas got off to a good start and were soon in three figures before Platten finally fell to Mark Lee with 55 to his credit in a total of 111.

But home hopes of a collapse were ruined as McPherson Mead scored 33 before becoming one of Dave Lee's two victims. Thomas seemed assured of yet another hundred before was caught by Paul Webb off Paul Davies, with 12 fours in his 84, but it must have been some consolation that he had steered Llangwm to safety - and still maintained an average of over 100 for the league season with a week remaining!

Lawrenny (233 for 8) beat Cresselly (227 for 7) Umpires: Les Hastings and Dave Morris Scorers: Malcolm Thomas and Dave Richards

"A cracking game of cricket" was the considered view of umpires Les Hastings and Dave Morris after Lawrenny had ensured first division survival with this victory over neighbours Cresselly - with Steve Lewis the toast of his Lawrenny colleagues after his priceless 84 had helped secure the win in a match which produced 46 runs in 89 overs.

Lewis shared a stand of 120 with Ian Jenkins, who again showed what an asset he is to the club with an undefeated 46, as did old war horse Chris Williams, batting at No 10 and helping Jenkins steer Lawrenny into calm waters at the finish.

Julian Arthur (34) set Cresselly on their way but they suffered a blow when Simon Cole injured an ankle and had to retire hurt, although he did return later in the innings.

Richard Harris (21), Damian Arthur (28) and Ryan Lewis (30) also chipped in with runs as home captain Rob Williams was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets alongside James Buckle's 2 for 29.

Lawrenny's early response stuttered as Andrew Cole (senior) and Buckle went early but Chris Vincent and Christian Phillips restored the balance a little before Nigel Gregory struck with two quick wickets for Cresselly.

But when they were really needed, up popped Lewis and Jenkins, the former showing the power that has been missing in the side through a lengthy injury spell this season, with eight fours and four big sixes as he helped Lawrenny make sure of top echelon cricket again in 2004! Haverfordwest (200 for 8) drew with Hook (149 for 9) Umpires: Barry Wood and Rob Bellerby Scorers: Jayne Cole and Joy James

Hook stumbled ever-nearer to the 'dreaded drop' as they were unable to secure a much-needed win against Haverfordwest on The Racecourse.

The home side batted first and reached 200 and although Hook made a bright start of 55 for 1 they lost wickets at key times and were forced to hold on for the draw in the final over as David Petrie and Wayne Griffiths survived.

Jonathan Twigg (44) and Andrew Phillips (21) got The Town off well with 51 runs and there were also nice innings from Karl Rhead (41) and Steve Phillips (37) as Julian Green showed what an asset his spin can be with a 5 for 52 haul.

Matthew Rowlands and Mick Haltam took Hook to 31 before Phil Kirkby bowled the former batsman - and Haltam was forced to hit out because he was due at work, departing with 27 as Kirkby again did the damage.

From then on, Hook struggled despite good knocks by Jamie Phelps (33) and Gary Martin (35) - and although Jason Conroy also managed double figures a Hook win became more and more remote as Clive Tucker, Phil Kirkby and Matthew Johns all picked up wickets in support of Simon Williams, who grabbed 3 for 24 as Haverfordwest tried in vain for that elusive last scalp. Narberth (169 for 9) drew with St Ishmaels (111 for 8) Umpires: Hilliard Davies and Tony Scourfield Scorers: Idwal Vincent and Wendy Bradshaw

Narberth maintained their excellent form as they gained the better of the draw against St Ishmaels as Marc Hughes and Wayne Howells batted well in a total of 169 for 9 before Nick Evans (3 for 13) led the Narberth bowlers in restricting Tish to a disappointing 111 for 8.Hughes and Mike Scale (26) shared a second-wicket stand of 79 before Steve Williams bowled them both as part of a 4 for 32 analysis.

Jonathan Pawlett also claimed 3 for 43, including Gary Hughes (26), who caused something of a flutter when he drove a six straight into the new verandah at the Lewis Lloyd Ground. Fortunately, Gary's mum Dilys was doing teas and had opened the window, so saved the club forking out for new glass!

A target of 170 was always going to be difficult and soon assumed gigantic proportions when Steve Williams, Peter Bradshaw, Andrew palmer and Pawlett departed with only 34 on the board.

Andrew Williams and Glyn Griffiths redressed the balance a little but at 68 for 8 Tish were in deep trouble.

But Mike Symons found a willing ally in fellow teenager Chris Wilson, making his first division debut, and they survived all that Narberth could throw at them, with Symons unbeaten at the close on 33 (six fours and a six) and Wilson still there on 10.