Whitland secure second successive title (From Western Telegraph)

Whitland secure second successive title

indoor cricket league (sponsored by martin james health club) - final week Whitland showed just why they are the champions of Pembrokeshire Indoor Cricket as they deservedly picked up the silverware for the second year in succession.

They comfortably accounted for Neyland and Haverfordwest to finish with a played six, won six record.

They have built up a strong blend of youth and experience in that time as skipper Mark Lee and his brother Dave, plus Paul Davies, are the old hands in the equation and they are joined by youngsters Matthew Davies, Edward John, Owain Edwards, with Richard Merriman waiting in the wings to join the fray if needed.

If Whitland were triumphant on the day then Haverfordwest A suffered the disappointment of losing their last two matches since they also went down to Neyland, the pair joining Fishguard A and B teams in joint second spot on eight points.

Whitland started the day well as they rattled up 123 for 4 after being asked to bat first against Neyland, with Matthew Davies (33) and Mark Lee (25) both undefeated after Paul Davies (18) and Dave Lee (31) had given them a strong start.

'Titch' Davies and both Lee boys rapped sixes as they moved from 54 for 1 at the half way stage, adding another 69 runs in their last five overs.

Paul Murray (14) and Patrick Hannon (18) sent Neyland away well but both were run out as Whitland showed their usual athleticism in the field.

Greg Miller was well caught by Dave Lee off a return chance and all the rest of the Neyland batsmen were run out without managing double figures as they slumped from 43 without loss to 68 all out.

Neyland were reinforced by club captain Andrew Miller against Haverfordwest A and 'Windy' made a vital break through as he had Danny Potter caught by Paul Murray off the roof for 18 after he had put on 42 with Huw Scriven.

Scriven returned to action after he had first retired on 25 but finished unbeaten on 37. Clive Tucker was his usual cool self with 25 not out but the rest of The Town batsman came and went and they had to settle for 107 for 3 wickets.

Neyland were always ahead of the run rate needed but lost wickets as Phil Davies (10) and Andrew Miller (24) fell to Danny Potter, the former showing good sportsmanship as he walked after faintly edging a ball into Huw Scriven's gloves after it had been called a wide.

Nigel Jenkins' slow stuff shifted Greg Miller (33) and Jay Dunsford, both well caught near the back wall - and with Patrick Hannon run out it meant that Paul Murray had to score 20 runs on his own to deny Haverfordwest a 100% record after five matches.

The talented Neyland teenager batted with aplomb as Greg Miller kept giving him good advice and Murray finished off in style with six threes and two fours to finish undefeated on 26 as Neyland won with two balls to spare.

Defeat meant that Haverfordwest had to beat Whitland to secure a share of the title but they were rarely in contention as Paul Davies (24), Dave Lee (10), Matthew Davies (another fine 33 not out), Ed John (16) and Owain Edwards (22) all played a part in a healthy tally of 110 for 3.

Haverfordwest needed a good start if they were to reach their target but lost Potter (7) and Scriven (9), the mainstays of their batting to good catches by Owain Edwards, who then showed his worth to the side with a 3 for 16 spell that included top scorer Adrian Griffiths (38).

Nigel Jenkins also reached double figures but was run out by Paul Davies, who took a screamer of a catch to shift Griffiths and set the seal on another excellent display by team manager Richard Merriman's boys.

The trophy was presented to Whitland captain Mark Lee by Dai Morris, the new chairman of Pembroke County Cricket Club, who congratulated all three teams on their performances.

He also thanked organiser Wendy Bradshaw for her superb work, plus umpires Alan Hansen and Les Hastings for officiating at the vast majority of matches together, with Alan Hansen further mentioned for his 100% attendance at the Sunday afternoon games.

He was also thanked for his support by Wendy Bradshaw, as was sponsor, Martin James.

Match One - Whitland v Neyland:

Whitland Batting: P Davies ct G Miller b S Hannon 18 D Lee run out 31 M Davies not out 33 M Lee not out 25 E John b P Hannon 0 O Edwards run out 2 Extras 14 Total (4 wickets) 123 Neyland Bowling: G Miller 0-16; P Davies 0-40; J Dunsford 0-23; S Hannon 1-21; P Hannon 1-18.

Neyland Batting: P Murray run out 14 P Hannon run out 18 G Miller ct & b D Lee 7 P Davies run out 0 J Dunsford run out 9 S Hannon run out 3 Extras 17 Total (all out) 68 Whitland Bowling: P Davies 0-16; D Lee 1-11; M Davies 0-8; E John 0-5; O Edwards 0-22.

Match Two - Haverfordwest A v Neyland:

Haverfordwest A Batting: D Potter ct P Murray b A Miller 18 H Scriven not out 37 A Griffiths run out 3 C Tucker not out 27 S Williams run out 0 N Jenkins not out 9 Extras 13 Total (3 wickets) 107 Neyland Bowling: P Davies 0-19; G Miller 0-23; P Hannon 0-32; A Miller 1-18; J Dunsford 0-12

Neyland Batting: P Davies ct H Scriven b D Potter 10 A Miller ct S Williams b D Potter 24 G Miller ct D Potter b N Jenkins 33 P Hannon run out 7 J Dunsford ct S Williams b N Jenkins 0 P Murray not out 26 Extras 9 Total (5 wickets) 109 Haverfordwest A Bowling: S Williams 0-11; A Griffiths 0-17; C Tucker 0-29; D Potter 2-18; N Jenkins 2-27.

Match Three - Whitland v Haverfordwest A

Whitland Batting: P Davies not out 27 D Lee run out 10 M Davies not out 33 M Lee b C Tucker 0 E John b S Williams 16 O Edwards not out 22 Extras 2 Total (3 wickets) 110 Haverfordwest A Bowling: S Williams 1-22; N Jenkins 0-21; A Griffiths 0-16; D Potter 0-29; C Tucker 1-22

Haverfordwest A Batting: D Potter ct O Edwards b P Davies 7 H Scriven ct O Edwards b D Lee 9 A Griffiths ct P Davies b O Edwards 38 C Tucker b O Edwards 7 S Williams b O Edwards 0 N Jenkins run out 13 Extras 5 Total (all out) 80 Whitland Bowling: M Davies 0-13; P Davies 1-24; D Lee 1-20; O Edwards 3-16; E John 0-6.