Division 3: Herbrandston (124-9) beat Lamphey (123-8) by 1 wicket
There was an incredibly tense finish at Herbrandston on Saturday before the home side came through by one wicket to move within touching distance of both promotion and the title.
Ryan Davies’ men now lead Saturday’s visitors by 19 points, and have also moved 22 clear of previous leaders Llanrhian after their game was surprisingly called off at Llangwm 2nds.
It means Herbie now need just nine points on Saturday to be champions and seal a return to Division 2.
They did well to restrict The Stags to just 123-8 in 40 overs, Nick Shelmerdine (33), Rob Mathias (26), and David Blackwell (22) top scoring as Leigh Marchant (3-12) and Jonty Bennett (2-20) kept the home side on top.
Opener Aaron Bowles (29), Marchant (27), Robbie Hood (27) and Rob Kingston (13) then all had runs but as fortunes ebbed and flowed, Herbie fell from 120-7 to 120-9 as David Blackwell (3-34), Hywel Gibbs (2-15), and especially Peter McGilloway (3-16) kept the away side in it.
But the final pairing of Paul ‘pickles’ Nicholas and Ben Fairbairn kept their nerve, with the latter hitting the winning runs in the 38th over to seal a dramatic win - and spark celebrations from the home players.
“It was a crazy game,” admitted Herbie captain Davies to Telegraph Sport.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played in a match like it.
“There were so many times throughout that we were on top, then they were, then we were again and it came down to ‘Pickles’ and Ben at the end.”
Lamphey themselves host Laugharne on Saturday while Llanrhian welcome Stackpole, but Herbie’s fate is firmly in their own hands and a wining draw at Narberth would be enough to see them take the silverware.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here