LAWRENNY have hauled themselves back into the fight as they won two matches over the weekend to move to within two points of defending champions Neyland.
Lawrenny beat Cresselly on Saturday in a run fest before making another double century on Sunday to beat Carew.
The victories put Lawrenny on 116 points, two behind Neyland who beat Narberth at the weekend.
The results came at the cost of Cresselly who drop back to third after losing Saturday’s derby against Lawrenny by six wickets, being put into bat and making 222-9 before Lawrenny made 224-4.
Kurtis Marsh was the star of the match making 101no with 13 fours and 2 sixes.
Dan Sutton and Simon Cole’s respectable stands of 65 and 63 weren’t enough for the Doves who came crashing down to earth after flying high at the top of the table last week.
Marsh then went on to make 90no in Lawrenny’s three wicket victory over Carew on the Sunday. The Rooks posted 205-9 before Lawrenny made 207-7.
Champions Neyland are back in control, climbing to the top of the league after beating Narberth by 4 wickets.
Ross Hardy (3-29), Andrew Miller (3-39), and Nathan Banner (2-34) blew the Narberth batting line away bowling them out for 154.
Neyland responded with 155-6 in just 27.3 overs, Ashley Sutton reaching 50 from 51 deliveries before finishing undefeated on 58 – a score which included making a rare 5.
Haverfordwest were described as tired in what looks like a season that is taken its toll as the Town, who were bowled out for 91 after putting Carew into bat, the Rooks setting a massive target of 193-8.
Town skipper Dai Davies (4-35), did all he could to inspire his side but the batting of Nick Davies (51), and bowling of Shaun Whitfield (3-21), Yori Hicks (3-21), and Ceri Brace (3-23) proved too good.
Bottom of the table Llechryd lost to Saundersfoot by 7 wickets choosing to go into bat and being bowled out for 113. The Seasiders lost just three wickets as they reached the winning total of 114.
Sam Franklin (3-39), and Nick Cope (4-24), dictated the course of the match with the ball while Llechryd’s David Dunfee tried to restore some pride with an all-round display (1-18 and 36).
The Tish can thank their bowling department as they beat Whitland by 4 wickets. St Ishmaels put Whitland into bat and bowled the Borderers out for 134 before making 136-6. Jonathan Pawlett (3-22), and Ieuan Hawkins (3-24) got good figures with the ball with Andrew Williams (41no and 2-14), making score of the match.
Whilst it’s a three-horse race in division one, division two is turning into a more personal affair between two sides that just keep on winning.
Pembroke Dock beat Pembroke in the local derby. The Dock won the toss and chose to bat making 180-9.
Pembroke’s reply was never enough – at one point it was on 13 for 4 –finishing on 131ao.
The Dock’s Iwan McDonald (4-19) did the real damage taking those four wickets which surely sapped the life out of Pembroke’s response. However Jonathan Rogers (58), and Luke Butler (41) attempted to revive the fight back.
Llangwm are also proving relentless although their resolve was tested as they found themselves bowled out for 177 before bowling Hook out for 160 to continue their winning run by just 17 runs.
Noah Davies made 50 and Jamie Phelps 51 but it was the bowling of Steve Mills (3-19), Phil Llewellyn (2-12), Ollie Davies (2-25) and Callum James (3-29) which was most impressive.
After Pembroke’s loss, Herbrandston seized their opportunity to go third, beating Lamphey by 4 wickets.
Lamphey were put into bat, being bowled out for 132. Herbrandston replied with 133-6 to claim their fifth victory of the season.
Bowling stats were in force on this occasion, Rob Kingston taking 3-22, Paul Nicholas 3-14, Kristan Bennett 2-41 and 38.
Whilst Lamphey lost on the Saturday they won on the Sunday beating Carew Seconds by ten wickets.
Carew were bowled out for 101. Lamphey responded emphatically making 107-0.
Perhaps Carew were feeling the effects of their victory over Haverfordwest Seconds on the Saturday, although it was a short lived affair, the Town winning the toss and being bowled out for 78, with Carew needing just 71-1 to win, Barry Evans 4-19 the pick of the bunch.
The result sees Haverfordwest deep in trouble, rooted to the bottom of division two by 15 points.
Kilgetty lost to Burton, attempting to take the match by the scruff of the neck by choosing to go into bat, however they made 130ao and Burton responded with 133-0 to record a convincing ten wicket victory.
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