Town widen the gap (From Western Telegraph)

Town widen the gap

County cricket: Division One Neyland (112 all out) lost to Haverfordwest (113 for 4)

Good tight bowling and fielding set league leaders Haverfordwest up for victory against second-placed Neyland before a battling 51 by Dai Davies and an unbeaten 37 from Steve Phillips saw them home with 13 overs to spare.

Neyland found themselves under early pressure as they stumbled to 38 for 4 before Paul Murray and Phil Sutton put on exactly 50 runs with some sensible batting.

Simon Williams (2), Adrian Griffiths and Steve Phillips had taken the early wickets for Haverfordwest.

But then both Sutton and Tucker departed with the score on 88.

Sutton was bowled by Clive Tucker for 19 and Murray fell to a good catch by Phil Kirkby off Matthew Johns with 38 to his name.

Johns finished up with 3 for 27 and spin twin Tucker grabbed 2 for 17.

Neyland were unable to find any further substantial stands and had to settle for 112 all out in 42.3 overs.

They fought back after tea, however, removing Danny Potter, Phil Kirkby and Karl Rhead for next to nothing.

But Dai Davies stood firm and reached 51, including 10 fours, before he was finally out, caught by Ian Charles at square leg off John Jones.

He had found a willing partner in Steve Phillips in a stand of 45 and when Haverfordwest reached their target Phillips was undefeated on 37 and The Town extended their lead at the top of the table.

NEYLAND G. Miller b S. Williams 4 J. Jones c H. Scriven b A. Griffiths 2 A. Miller c H. Scriven b S. Williams 9 P. Murray c P. Kirkby b M. Johns 38 P. Davies c H. Scriven b S. Phillips 7 P. Sutton b C. Tucker 19 A. Slark not out 11 J. Dunsford c S. Phillips b M. Johns 1 S. Hannon c A. Griffiths b C. Tucker 1 I. Charles b M. Johns 5 G. Lloyd run out 6 Extras 9 Total (for 10 wkts) 112 Bowling:- S. Williams 11.2-5-19-2; A. Griffiths 5-1-22-1; S. Phillips 7-1-20-1; M. Johns 10-0-27-3; C. Tucker 9-2-17-2.

HAVERFORDWEST D. Potter c G. Lloyd b I. Charles 6 D. Davies c I. Charles b J. Jones 51 P. Kirkby c S. Hannon b I. Charles 5 K. Rhead b P. Davies 1 S. Phillips not out 37 A. Phillips not out 8 Extras 5 Total (for 4 wkts) 113 Bowling:- J. Dunsford 6-0-29-0; I. Charles 9-6-9-2; P. Davies 9-2-25-1; G. Lloyd 5-1-18-0; J. Jones 2.4-0-12-1; G. Miller 2-0-16-0.

Umpires: Trefor Evans and Hilliard Davies Scorers: Alison Thomas and Jayne Cole