Rain stops play

Section leaders CAREW 2NDS started well against BURTON as Gerald Hicks hooked a ball into the garden hedges in the first over before the old war-horse touched a ball from Chris Murray into Gareth Virgos gloves when he had scored 14. Fellow opener Martin Scourfield was unbeaten on 16 (two fours) and Aled Davies 11 not out when the rains came with Carew on 43 for 1 in 12 overs, with Murray claiming 1 for 24 in seven overs and Kevin Roberts 0 for 17 in his six-over stint. The umpires were Trefor Evans and Barry Wood while the scorer was Stuart Sharp (Burton) - and the Burton match ball was sponsored by Pembrokeshire Property Maintenance.

Second-placed NARBERTH were similarly placed against JOHNSTON despite the early loss of veteran opener Mike Johns, who was caught behind by Chris Walters from the very first ball bowled by Richard James.

Narberth lost another wicket soon afterwards as Davy Johns went for a quick second and was run out, joining his dad back in the changing rooms before Wayne Howells and Michael Scale advanced the score to 44 for 2 in 14 overs. Opening bat Howells was still there when the rain arrived having scored just one boundary in a careful 30, although he might have been run out by Steve Jenkins on one occasion, with Scale undefeated on 12. Richard James finished up with 1 for 16 in seven accurate overs and skipper Steve Jenkins had figures of 0 for 24 in his six overs alongside Chris Fitzpatricks one over which conceded four runs.

Brian Thomas and Chris Raine were the umpires and the scorers were Gwynneth Johns and Bryan Morgan. The Johnston match-day sponsors were the Silverdale Inn and Motel.

At the other end of the table, HAVERFORDWEST 2nds were hoping for a home win against bottom-placed LLECHRYD, who are still seeking their first success of the season. The Town skipper Colin Williams decided his side should bat first but they lost Richard Davies for a duck after the opener had faced 21 deliveries without scoring off Darren Roberts and Kevin Evans, who removed Davies with the help of a good ball that removed the off stump.

But teenagers Richard and Simon James were quickly into their stride so that although they were only on 6 for 1 in eight overs when they joined forces they were still there when umpires Mike Harries and Peter Perry decided it was too wet at 42 for 1, with Richard James following his superb 55 the previous week with 26 not out and his namesake Simon unbeaten on 15. The scorer was Ros Phillips (Haverfordwest).

SAUNDERSFOOT were asked to bat first at home to ST ISHMAELS and recovered well from the shock of losing Dickie Parcell for just a single, bowled by Kristian Bennett. But then Barry Phillips was joined by former Kilgetty stroke-maker Paul Mansbridge and the stylish Mansie rapped five fours as he sped to 33 not out in a total of 57 for 1. Feb Phillips supported with a quieter than usual 18 not out (two fours) so that the Seasiders looked set for a big score - but then the heavens opened and umpires Hilliard Davies and Alan Hansen had little option but to call the game off. The scorers were Kevin Sykes and Wendy Bradshaw - and the St Ishmaels ball sponsor was Mr Dai Cockrell.

It was a similar story at NEYLAND, where visitors STACKPOLE were asked to bat first and managed 45 for 2 before the rain. Leading the way was Swansea rugby player Jonathan Thomas, with two huge straight sixes and three fours in his 33 before he was bowled by Greg Miller, who had also struck early by removing Haydn Phillips for 3 runs in a 2 for 20 spell from six overs.

John Jones and Peter Burton also bowled well in vain as Phil Stephens and Martin Alderman were unbeaten for Stackpole as the game was brought to a premature halt after only 14 overs. It left poor Neyland particularly frustrated because with the seasons half-way mark rapidly approaching they have so far completed only three games!