Touring game: Pembrokeshire Under 16s (230 all out and 181 for 7 declared lost to Bedminster CC Under 16s (216 for 4 declared and 197 for 8)

HAVERFORDWEST Cricket Club played host to a fantastic two day game this week as touring side Bedminster Cricket Club notched a thrilling win over the Pembrokeshire County side.

Both teams had 100 overs to bat, over two innings on Monday and Tuesday, and sure enough, both pushed hard to set up a tantalising finale.

And it was the tourists who eventually prevailed as they got home with just nine balls of the match remaining.

Pembrokeshire won the toss and elected to bat, and posted an imposing 230 before being bowled out in 66.3 overs.

After the home side slumped to 6 for 3, No 3 Noah Davies rescued matters with a classy 56, stroking 10 fours, and No 7 John Mansbridge also turned the tide with a cracking knock of 78, hitting nine boundaries.

Pembrokeshire were also boosted by late cameo’s from tail-enders Harry Nicholas (32 – four fours), and Ryan Morton (24 – three fours and a six).

For Bedminster, wickets fell to Lewis Mason (2 for 43), Joe Millard (2 for 18), Harry Drissell (1 for 18), Bailey Peacock (1 for 16), Shazil Butt (2 for 33), Max Tryfonos (1 for 21), and Ahsaan Butt (1 for 8).

The visitors then replied in kind, making 216 for 4 in 57 overs before opting to declare and concede a 14-run deficit.

Opener Max Tryfonos laid the platform with a classy 82, the left hander striking 11 fours and sharing a second wicket stand of 157 with Joe Millard, who himself made 64 (seven fours).

Skipper Jack Filer boosted things with a late 21 not out, before opting to put the home side back into bat.

For Pembrokeshire, Jonny White (1 for 41), James Davies (1 for 36), Tom Mansbridge (1 for 53), and Archie Thomas (1 for 27) shared the wickets.

The home side then had 34 overs left over from their first innings to set a total, and they motored to 181 for 6.

There were quick-fire contributions from the top four as Noah Davies made 22 (four fours), Archie Thomas 18 (two fours and a six), Nikhil Mathias 34 (four fours and a six), and John Mansbridge 19 (one four).

Wicket keeper Jack Nicholas continued the momentum from his No 6 berth with 30 not out off 32 balls (two fours), sharing a stand of 65 with Jake Merry, who hit 39 off 36 balls (three fours) before being run out.

For Bedminster, Shazil Butt led the bowling with 3 for 32, and Bailey Peacock (1 for 21) and Lewis Mason (1 for 26) took a wicket each.

It all meant the visitors required a testing 196 to win in 43 overs.

And they set off with intent as after opener Kruz Belcher made 26 (four fours), it was No 3 Lewis Mason who really set his side up with some superb running between the wickets in his 55 (one four, one six).

But Pembrokeshire battled hard, and appeared on the brink of victory when they reduced their guests to 160 for 8, as Noah Davies (3 for 32), John Mansbridge (2 for 37), Jonny White (2 for 19), and James Davies (1 for 20) ensured wickets fell regularly.

But Bedminster’s hero of the first innings, Max Tryfonos, was held back at No 7 this time around and it paid dividends, as he put on a further 37 runs with Shazil Butt to ensure victory with nine balls to go.

Butt finished 13 not out (one four), and Tryfonos was unbeaten on 30 (two fours).

However, both sides had reason to be proud after an amazing match that lasted almost the full 200 hours and saw more than 800 runs being scored.

Special thanks was also made afterwards to umpires Trefor Evans and John Williams, who took charge for the full two days.

Pembrokeshire squad: Tom Mansbridge; Jack Nicholas (wicket keeper); Noah Davies; James Davies; Nikhil Mathias; Jake Merry; John Mansbridge; Lewis Hough (captain); Harry Nicholas; Ryan Morton; Jonny White; Archie Thomas.

Bedminster squad: Max Tryfonos; Adam Hares; Joe Millard; Bailey Peacock; Ahsaan Butt; Jack Filer (captain); Ben Cunliffe; Harry Drissell; George Harris; Kruz Belcher; Shazil Butt; Lewis Mason.