Pembrokeshire Regional U15s (93 all out) lost to PJRC Chairman’s XI (130-5) by 37 runs

The Pembrokeshire Under 15 squad played their traditional Chairman’s XI fixture at Imble Lane on Friday - and it made for an entertaining evening.

The game was brilliantly hosted by Pembroke Dock CC with Andrew Scott-Davies and Peter Kingdom for umpiring.

The match was played in a great spirit with plenty of talent and skills on show. Chairman’s XI captain and new Cricket Wales West Pathway Lead Steve Lewis persuaded the 15s to field first.

In this 20 over fixture batsmen had to retire at 25 with bowlers restricted to two overs.

George Smith and Joe Kiff (26) set off with real intent, Kiff hitting three maximums and having to retire after only 10 balls. Smith’s dismissal to William Phillips (2 for 25) brought together Keri Chahal, Cricket Wales South West Area Manager, and Jon Willington. These two put together a big partnership with Chahal making a classy 26, whilst in his own words Willington looked 'akin to a rusty hulk raised from the seabed' as he crawled to 26 himself.

Mathew ‘Titch’ Davies, the U15 squad coach, tried to raise the tempo. After one boundary, he advanced down the wicket, played an ugly cross bat swipe and was castled by Oli Bujega, who bowled well to pick up 3 for 16.

Nick Daley played a brief cameo but went was soon back on the boundary and Stefan ‘Boxer’ Jenkins and Darren Bujega blasted some late runs, before William Phillips wrapped up the innings by clean bowling his dad Jason (muted celebration obviously).

The 15s set off in pursuit of a challenging 131 to win by sending out Harry Fuller and Seth Willington, neither batsman known for hanging around. And they didn’t, putting Daley and 'Titch' to the sword with some powerful hitting before Willington went for a brisk 16 and Fuller for 7.

Lewis Miller came in and played some beautiful straight drives, before being caught by Daley off the bowling of Chahal. This was the first of two catches snapped up by Daley, who would have taken a couple more but was described by teammates as 'continually wandering out of position like a stray sheep'.

Following the run out of skipper Joe Phillips, thanks to a throw from Titch, Owen Phelps (8) played some excellent shots along with more of the same from Will Nicholas (12).

Phelps survived a chance from his first ball, facing slef proclaimed 'King of Spin' Simon Williams. Phelps edged to keeper Jon Willington, who 'unselfishly' palmed the ball up to Darren Bujega at slip. Unfortunately, Bujega wasn’t able to accept the gift.

With the 15s behind the rate, Harry Makepeace came to the wicket and played the innings of the evening. His effort was helped by captain Steve Lewis bringing Joe Kiff into the attack - but take nothing away from Harry though as he blasted six boundaries in a swift 27 before falling to George Smith (2 for 2).

Dom Asson and Oli Bujega looked to be aggressive before Jenkins struck with his off spin. The innings closed with the dismissal of William Phillips, dad Jason exacting revenge by grabbing the wicket, followed by a send off worthy of a level 2 disciplinary report.

Following an enjoyable game, Keri Chahal addressed the squad and congratulated them on their time in regional cricket. It was left to squad coach Davies and manager Darren to present the boys with commemorative ties to round off a great evening.

The 15s play their final fixture on Sunday, September 6th, taking on Carmarthenshire at Ammanford CC.

Pembrokeshire U15s: Joe Phillips, Owen Phelps, Lewis Miller, Harry Fuller, Seth Willington, Oli Bujega, Dom Asson, Harry Makepeace, William Phillips, Will Nicholas

Chairman’s XI: Steve Lewis, Simon Williams, Keri Chahal, Mathew Davies, Darren Bujega, George Smith, Jason Phillips, Joseph Kiff, Nick Daley, Stefan Jenkins, Jon Willington

Umpires: Andrew Scott-Davies and Peter Kingdom

Scorers: Rhys Phelps, Charlie Bujega and Oscar Willington