Only two games finish as the rain stops play (From Western Telegraph)

Only two games finish as the rain stops play

11:13am Wednesday 10th June 2009

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The bad weather which swept into Pembrokeshire on Saturday arrived at exactly the wrong time for cricket as only a handful of matches started and only two games finished.

Both came in Division Six and there are those purists who might argue that cricket cannot really be played in wet weather, when the ball gets like a piece of soap.

It has to be said this is the opposite of the old song title, ‘Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the Midday Sun’, substituting ‘rain’ for midday sun and ‘Pembrokeshire division six cricketers’ for mad dogs!

One game started in division one, two in the second division and a few more elsewhere but they were soon forced to get back in the changing rooms and dry off.

Division Six:

Llanrhian 2nds (102 for 2) beat Burton 3rds (97 all out)

Jack Jones was the match-winner for Llanrhian 2nds as his all-round performance helped them to an easy eight-wicket victory over Burton 3rds.

Jones grabbed 3 for 25 alongside Matthew Harries (3 for 22) when Burton batted and then carried his bat for a superb 61 not out, including nine boundaries, to see them home in quick time.

Dan Ridge (22) and Ian Howe (23) were the top Burton batsmen but Rhodri Owen picked up 2 for 22 in support of Jones and Harries so that although Burton tried hard to stem the flow of runs from Jones and David Burrows (34) they were unsuccessful and Llanrhian claimed their first win of the season and a welcome 28 points to Burton’s four points.

Pembroke Dock 2nds (101 for 6) beat Lamphey 2nds (100 for 6)

Pembroke Dock 2nds moved into fifth place in the table with the 26 points they gained from this clear-cut victory over their counterparts from Lamphey. Lamphey remain in bottom place, still seeking a first win and accumulating only three points for their efforts – but at least they were able to enjoy a run out.

Chris Forth (30) and Gareth Llewellyn (21) were the successful Lamphey batsmen as Chris Forth (2 for 13) and Johnny Hay (2 for 42) were the pick of the Dock bowling alongside Andrew Wood (1 for 16).

Jeff Moseley scored a solid 21 for the Dock in reply but the match-winning innings came from Billy Wood with a boundary-sprinkled 49 not out which allowed his team to win by nine wickets as reward for their efforts.

There were two other matches which started in Division Six but failed to finish, with Haverfordwest 4ths entertaining Fishguard 2nds on the Lower Racecourse and the visitors amassing 148 for 7 thanks to a splendid 87 from Kevin Bowen where he smashed three big sixes and ten fours.

Stephen H. Phillips led the Haverfordwest bowling with 3 for 16, supported by Mark Hicks (1 for 34), his son Josh (1 for 14), Matthew Vaughan (1 for 27) and Tim Maggs (1 for 28) – but then the weather worsened and no further play was possible.

Hundleton 2nds reached 76 for 5 against Narberth 3rds but suffered the same fate as old-timer Mervyn John scored 32 not out and Paul Edwards contributed a hard-hitting 31 against Iwan Bowen-Rees (2 for 11), Brynley Toms (2 for 33) and Jordan Howell, the 13 year old who claimed a late wicket without conceding a run.

Division Two:
Haverfordwest 2nds entertained Johnston and reached 51 for 3 but then umpires Denis Chiffi and Phil Marsden had no option but to call a halt.

Mark Cross hit 25 for Haverfordwest but useful bowling by Gary James (1 for 21), Lee Summons (1 for 5) and Simon Williams (1 for 9) had given Johnston a slight edge, although Mikey Jones was starting to look strong for the Town reserves.

Cresselly 2nds had reached 93 for 3 on The Moors against Fishguard thanks to Neil Williams (28 not out) and talented teenager Ewan Izzard (33 not out), with Rob Couzens claiming 2 for 29 and Rhys Dalling supporting with 1 for 24 but again the rain poured down and the match had to be abandoned.

Division Four:
Lawrenny 2nds scored 76 for 6 against Johnston 2nds thanks to Chris Buckle (20) and Dai Jones (28) who can now travel to the ground using his bus pass, whilst Steve James (2 for 8) and Andrew Page (2 for 25) were the pick of the Johnston bowling attack.

Burton 2nds entertained Pembroke 2nds and reached 50 for 1 as Charlie Allen claimed the sole wicket for Pembroke. Andrew Cromwell (24) and Graham Jenkins (21) were the unbeaten Burton batsmen at the close.

Division Five:
Llangwm 3rds scored 89 for 3 against St Florence as head teacher Lyn Rees showed he could play at a far higher level with 55 not out alongside Mark Roach (20 not out).

Also youngster George Wilkins confirming his promise with a 3 for 15 cameo which bodes well for the Saints’ future.

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