Harrison-Allen Bowl Round 1: Saundersfoot (120-8) lost to St Ishmaels (121-7) by three wickets

St Ishmaels edged home by just three wickets in a hard-fought battle against Saundersfoot.

After they had restricted The Seasiders to a solid, but not unbeatable score in their allotted 22 overs, they reached their target with three wickets and three balls left.

Put in to bat, Nick Cope led their batting after he came in at No 3, following the dismissal of Danny Brace for 13, including a big six: joining Danny Caine in a stand of 41 before the opener departed for 14 (two fours).

Cope struck three fours and two sixes in his 33 before he became Jonathan Pawlett’s second victim and Brennan Devonald also bowled outstandingly well for Tish as he followed Brace’s early scalp with more key wickets in Tom Mansbridge (20) and James Caine (15, including three boundaries), to finish with 3-31 in his six overs.

Andrew Pawlett bowled a typically tight spin spell of six overs and two maidens whilst conceding only 24 runs and Jonathan Pawlett ended up with 4-33 to restrict The Seasiders to their 120-8.

Tish suffered a very early set-back as they opened with twins Harry and Jack Nicholas and the former was dismissed by Sam Franklin for a duck. But Jack (20) and Brennan Devonald (14) steadied the Tish ship before skipper Phil Cockburn scored a classy 34 which was vital in the circumstances, including three fours.

Dan Howells also chipped in with 19 and although there was something of a stutter towards the end as John Mansbridge claimed 3-14 it was Sean Williams and Andrew Pawlett who held their nerve to seal success and take Tish to an intriguing tussle at Laugharne next weekend.

Umpires: Richard Scriven and Bob Elliott

Scorers: Adge John and Wendy Bradshaw