Town top — Carew play for the draw

12:54pm Wednesday 2nd July 2008

Carew (126 for 7) drew with Haverfordwest (212 for 5).

Haverfordwest gained the better of a draw at Carew to remain in top spot.

Put in to bat, Haverfordwest made a good start through Danny Potter and Richard James. This regular opening pair batted through a difficult start to reach 98 in 31 overs before 14-year-old leg-spinner Ceri Brace tempted Potter to top edge a catch to Tim Hicks at deep backward square leg having struck seven boundaries in his 59 runs.

Dai Davies and James tried to raise the tempo but the former was bowled by Wood for a speedy 20, followed by James for a gritty 46 (two fours) with the score on 148.

It was left to the experienced Phil Kirkby and Steve Phillips to take Haverfordwest to a strong position at tea.

Kirkby struck three boundaries in his 32 not out and Phillips plundered three sixes in his 32 before he fell late to Rhys Davies, who finished with excellent figures of three for 20 as reward for his wholehearted efforts.

Kirkby and Davies then picked up the ball and bowled tight early spells for Haverfordwest as Brian Hall and Nick Scourfield failed to make their usual impact.

Wayne Cannon hit 33 runs and there was a stand of 44 between Simon Wood (32) and Tim Hicks (28). All three claimed four boundaries apiece, but were always pinned back by tight spells from Clive Tucker and Nick Dyer.

Tucker was back to his miserly best as he had six maidens in a 12-over period where he claimed two for 24, with the canny Dyer picking up two for 49.

Carew grafted away and although Dai Davies finished with three for 30 for the Town there was little danger that Carew would lose as Rob Scourfield and Darren Thomas eventually saw them to the draw.