Ken Morris Memorial Cup: Haverfordwest 3rds (70-5) beat Crymych (69-9) by 5 wickets

A four wicket haul from Matthew Vaughan helped Haverfordwest 3rds take a big step towards another Ken Morris final as they overcame Crymych, and the rain, at The Racecourse last night.

Vaughan took 4-18 as the visitors were restricted to 69-9, but it was still a tricky chase for The Town as they lost five wickets along the way.

Batting first, Crymych had Ioan Davies bowled by Paul Jenkins without scoring but then opening partner Osian Wyn and Richard Thorne out on 31, before the latter was lbw to Dean Flood for 14.

Rhodri Lewis (4) came in only to be bowled by Phil Rees but it was when Wyn went, stumped by John Ebeneezer off the same bowling after making 36 (two fours), that the wheels came off.

From 58-4 Crymych could only add 11 more runs, for the loss of five wickets, as Vaughan excelled while Jenkins finished 1-11, Flood 1-21, and Rees 3-17, all from five over stints.

The visitors then gave themselves hope when Ioan Davies bowled Ebeneezer (4) early on, but a stand of 52 between opener Dai 'Dessy' Haynes and Max Rodrigues effectively sealed matters.

Haynes made 23 (one four) and Rodrigues 29 (three fours), and although both fell to Wyn as The Town stumbled somewhat at the end, Rees made 6 not out and hit the winning run with seven balls to spare.

For Crymych, Ioan Davies finished 1-14, Wyn 2-16, and Alastair Davies 1-18.

It means two wins from two for The Town ahead of their final group game with Cresselly 3rds on Wednesday.

The Doves themselves were also in action, losing to a Narberth XI in a match that also defied wet conditions and fasding light.

Batting first, Cresselly made 124-7 as Jamie Goldsworthy (27), Dan James (20), and Steffan Jenkins (19) had runs, while old head Jamie Bohata took 4-31 and Rhodri Gerrard 2-34.

It was nigh on dark when Narberth then reached their target as the finished 125-6, Llew Jones the hero with 55 not out while Rob Nicholas made 21, with a useful 36 extras to boot.

For Cresselly, Jack Perrins took 3-32 and Phil Cole 2-18.

Narberth now play Crymych on Wednesday, with both sides going in with a win each from their two group games.