Division 2: Cresselly 2nds (306-2) beat Whitland 2nds (304-7) by 8 wickets

MORE than 600 runs, two centuries, and 18 sixes - it’s fair to say Saturday’s Division Two clash between the 2nd teams of Cresselly and Whitland favoured the batsmen.

Jack Bowen had seemingly ensured the visitors would secure at least a winning draw when his knock of 198 set up a total of 304-7 for the away side, but incredibly, Cresselly then passed it only two wickets down, but Welsh veteran international Neal Williams then led the chase with a majestic 139, and Ryan Lewis was on hand to finish the job with 83 not out.

After opting to bat, Bowen came to the crease early after opener Paul Oeppen had been caught by Scott Arthur off Matthew Lewis for a duck, and proceeded to put on 155 with Dai Lee.

Lee hit six fours in his 45 before also holing out to Arthur off Steffan Jenkins - but Bowen remained undeterred, crashing 12 sixes and 21 fours to move within two runs of a amazing double century - only to be caught in the deep by Ryan Lewis off Neil Gregory.

He left the field to a standing ovation and with the score on 271-4, and Gethin Benjamin (16) hit three late fours to get his side pass the 300 mark - as Gregory finished the pick of the bowlers after a spell that yielded 4-62 off 12 overs. Lewis (1-19), Jenkins (1-42), and Matthew Webb (1-31) shared the other wickets.

But Arthur and Williams were in no mood to hang around in the reply, reaching 85 before Arthur was run out for 29 (six fours).

No 3 Webb continued the momentum with six fours in his 38 before also being run out as Cresselly tried to push the pace.

But Williams was joined by Lewis in continuing the charge, with the opener taking advantage of the lightning outfield to hit 19 fours and a maximum, before the severe heat took its toll and he was forced to retire with cramps.

Lewis however, completed the job with six fours and five sixes, joined at the end by Michael Venables (4 not out) as the total was chased down in only 39.2 overs.

Umpires: Martin Jones and Jon Willington.
Scorers: Des Brace and Jenny Scourfield-Davies.