Carew tighten their grip at the summit

Leaders Carew remain undefeated in Division One of the Pembroke Cricket League thanks to a comfortable 88 run victory at basement boys Cresselly.

The highfliers, guided by Tim Hick (83) and Nic Scourfield (43), set a total of 208-8. Lyn Richards, 3-69, and Sam Harts, 2-28, were the best with the ball for the hosts.

A four wicket haul from Rhys Davies ensured Cresselly never came close of reaching their target, and the strugglers were dismissed for 120, while Scott Helmich, 3-21, and Matthew Phillips, 2-33, also posted economical figures in attack. The win means the leaders extend their advantage at the top to 32 points.

Second placed Neyland secured a five wicket triumph over mid table Saundersfoot to remain in the hunt for the title.

Saundersfoot looked to be struggling early on, but a gutsy unbeaten 38 from Jake Marsh helped them towards a total of 137-9. Patrick Hannon was in fine form with the ball, capturing 4-39.

Neyland, led out by a classy half century from Ashley Sutton (56), always looked like having the answers, with the willow eventually chasing the runs down for the loss of five wickets, 138-5.

At the other end of the table, St Ishmaels picked up an in-valuable five wicket home win over relegation rivals Lawrenny as the race to avoid the drop intensifies.

The visitors were restricted to 115 with the fielders very much on top throughout the innings, with Andrew Williams and Andrew Palmer picking up three wickets apiece, while Jonathan and Andrew Pawlett both captured two wickets..

Williams and Palmer were once again the star of the innings knocking an unbeaten 33 and 29 respectively, while Peter Bradshaw hit a solid 31 as the hosts chased down the runs for the loss of five wickets, 116-5.

Elsewhere, Haverfordwest, inspired by a scintillating all round performance from Simon Holiday, remained in the title race thanks to a routine eight wicket win against Llangwm.

Holiday, 4-41, and Nigel Morgan, 4-18, made it a difficult afternoon for the Llangwm batting order as they were dismissed for 146, despite a determined half century 79 from Chris Inward.

Haverfordwest strolled to their target in response, losing only two wickets along the way, 150-2, with Holiday smashing an unbeaten 89, while Mickey Jones chipped in with 26 not out.

In the day's other fixture, Narberth dented Whitland’s title aspirations with a three wicket triumph.

Whitland batted first and made 147-8 with Paul Davies top scoring on 47, while Jonathan Thomas struck a solid 33. Ian Hughes was the best with the bowl for Narberth collecting 4-34, while Ben Hughes picked up 2-33.

Narberth in response chased down the runs for the loss of seven wickets 152-7, with Ben Hughes capping a great day’s work with an unbeaten 41.