Regional cricket: Carmarthenshire Under 11s (72 all out) lost to Pembrokeshire U11s (115-9) by 43 runs

Pembrokeshire skipper Ifan Wyn-Jones enjoyed his regional debut as he led his team to an excellent victory in the season opener against Carmarthenshire at a sunny Kidwelly.

Pembrokeshire lost the toss and were invited to bat in this 30 over fixture, but made 115-9 before their hosts fell 43 runs short.

Openers Oscar Willington (14) and Connor Davies (9) started well before Davies, with two fours, fell to an excellent catch.

Rhys Phelps came to the wicket and with Willington laid a great foundation, taking the score to 50. Having done the hard work including two fours, Willington then fell to a brilliant catch from Theo James.

Phelps was joined by Liam Morley-Trivett (7), this pair adding a rapid 30 runs. Oscar Lewis, Rhys Lewis then Rhys Jones kept the scoreboard moving before with the total at 96 Phelps was finally out for a superb 46 (two sixes and five fours).

Cian Rees (10) and William Harries (5 not out) added late impetus to take Pembrokeshire to a decent 115-9 at tea. Liam Phillips was the pick of the bowlers with an excellent 3-9.

Carmarthenshire were soon on the back foot in reply with Oscar Lewis (2-19) reducing them to 8 for 2, including the big scalp of Carwyn Jones.

But the batsmen rebuilt steadily before Phelps (1-11) grabbed a sharp caught and bowled with the total at 45. Cellan Allcock (29) played some superb shots to take his team to 68 for 3, at which point Pembrokeshire took the game away with a great spell of bowling and fielding.

Allcock fell to a great catch by Willington off the bowling of Jamie Keating (3-5). Keating snapped up another two wickets in two balls, one a sharp catch from Rees. Dylan James (0-11) kept the pressure on and Rees (2-5) then matched Keating’s feat with two wickets in two balls, followed by a run out. It was left to Willington (1-5) to seal victory, clean bowling the last batsman.

A delighted Pembrokeshire were able to reflect on a deserved victory, with captain Wyn-Jones managing his bowlers well alongside a smart performance behind the stumps. The positive batting, disciplined bowling and energetic sharp fielding was great to see, leaving coaches Jon Willington and Jamie Phelps delighted that the hard work during the winter has paid off.

Pembrokeshire squad: Ifan Wyn-Jones (c) (Llechryd), Rhys Jones (Whitland) Oscar Lewis (Lawrenny) William Harries (Hook) Rhys Lewis (Cresselly) Jamie Keating (Kilgetty) Oscar Willington (Hook) Cian Rees (Whitland) Rhys Phelps (Hook) Liam Morley-Trivett (Laugharne) Dylan James (Hook) Connor Davies (Lawrenny).