Under 15s cricket: Pembrokeshire's talented young cricketers recently reached the Welsh regional final at Sophia Gardens before bowing out to a very strong North-East Wales side which included several Welsh internationals and at least two players who are regulars in the West of England team.

Pembrokeshire were hindered by the fact that James Salter was injured before the final while Adam James (Haverfordwest), Nick Davies (Johnston), Matthew Kiff (Llangwm) and Charlie Welch (Llechryd) were on holiday.

They had already beaten Carmarthenshire, Mid Glamorgan and Gwent as Scott Arthur (62), Tom Richards (40 and 52) and Scott Helmich (37) produced good performances.

The youngsters gained a semi-final spot against Mid Wales, who had finished top of the North Wales section, and beat them to set an example to others in the county's first probationary year as a region in its own right.

Pembrokeshire amassed a huge 243 for 5 thanks to Scott Arthur (71 not out), Tom Richards (53) and Nick Koomen (46), then restricted Mid Wales to 170 all out as Lee Summons grabbed 4 for 22 in ten overs to earn that coveted trip to Glamorgan's county ground in Cardiff.

North Eastern Wales reached 220 for 7 in 47 overs.

Lee Summons (2 for 28), Rhys Davies (4 for 49), Scott Helmich (2 for 43), Henry Durrant (1 for 28) and Simon Stanford were the wicket-takers.

But Pembrokehire's hopes of winning the competition were rocked as leg-spinner Ben Williams bowled superbly for the opposition.

Although Tom Richards (41) and skipper Scott Arthur (22) fought hard, they were dismissed for 95.

But to reach the regional cup final at their first attempt was a real achievement and coaches Nigel Arthur and Dai Isaac, plus team manager Russell Jones were rightly proud of their talented young charges.

They received their runners-up trophies from former Glamorgan fast-bowling star Steve Watkin.

The boys were sponsored by Salter Blinds and Talbot Timber.

Pictured: The Pembrokeshire U15 team at Sophia Gardens: Standing - Russell Jones (team manager); Josh Ward (Llechryd); Scott Helmich (Carew); Henry Durrant (Neyland); Scott Arthur (Hundleton); Ben Jones (Fishguard); Kyle Quartermaine (Narberth); James Salter (St Ishmaels); Nigel Arthur (coach). Kneeling - Tom Richards (Narberth); Lee Summons (Johnston); Nick Koomen (Neyland); Jacob Davies (Cresselly); Rhys Davies (Carew); Simon Stanford (Saundersfoot).