Fightclub

Tyler Durden - a fighter not a cricketer
As I write this, the test match in Edgbaston had been developing quicker than an imminent arrest in a serial killer case keeping all spectators and avid TV viewers gripped.

Pembrokeshire cricket was no less exciting over the weekend as news leaked of gang warfare at Saundersfoot while a player from Pembroke Dock was causing his own havoc at Hundleton. The win/lose/draw debate raised its ugly head on twitter too after Llanrhian smashed St Ishmaels yet Tish held on for a draw.

More of the latter later but back to the former for now.

It wasn’t gang warfare of course it was no such thing but as we know the game between Saundersfoot and Kilgetty was abandoned  due to a bout of fisty cuffs that obviously has no place in the game.

Those involved will no doubt face disciplinary action and it will be interesting to see what 
punishment they face considering Ian Hughes of Narberth was suspended for 8 weeks following a fracas after the Harrison-Allen semi-final in Pembroke Dock last year.

Who would want to be on a panel for such things anyway and how do you gauge a sentence fit for the crime? Whatever the punishment levied out there will be some who think it too lenient and others thinking it too harsh but one thing is for sure, it won’t stop it happening again.

No-one wants to see these instances on the sports pitches of the county let alone the cricket fields of the shire. Only last year there was a horrific incident in a football match between Hakin and Merlins Bridge that had had people talking for all the wrong reasons yet you can be sure a similar incident will happen in the future.

No-one sets out to cause injury and misery on the sports fields but as a match evolves so do players’ emotions and self-control can be pushed to one side. Those involved in the Saundersfoot scrap will be regretting their actions now as will those involved during that football game; while the rest of us enjoy the gossip yet condemn their actions all the same.

There was a suggestion on Twitter on Saturday that all games should be decided via a #fightclub and as amusing as that was it’s unlikely to get through next year’s AGM.

The straight win/lose debate might though providing enough people vote for it in the first place. It came to prominence again on Saturday as Peter Bradshaw admitted his side were smashed by Llanrhian but under current league rules their result was classed as a draw.

Bradshaw, like many others who joined in the debate is all for a win/lose system of results even though his team could have benefited through the current system.

There are few players in favour of the current draw system yet not enough vote for change at the county AGM. The simple solution is if you don’t vote, you can’t really complain so the answer to that is simple. Vote for change.

Finally, it was only last week that Pembroke Dock’s Nick Daley was thinking of retiring should his team get relegated this season but his thoughts may change after his heroics with the bat against Hundleton on Saturday.

It’s been a lean season thus far for the capable all-rounder but he came to the fore with a superb innings of 155 not out against his opponents. He was keen to promote that fact across his social media platform on the weekend but no word was forthcoming on whether or not he’ll be donning his whites next year!

On the subject of centuries, Hook’s Tom Blaxland became the second player this season to score three centuries this campaign after Johnston’s Steve Mills Jnr.

Both are accomplished players, the question we need an answer to now is who will be the first to four?

Now that really is something worth fighting for.

Team of the week

  1. Nick Daley (Pembroke Dock) 155 not out v Hundleton
  2. Nathan Banner (Neyland) 131no & 2-25 v Carew
  3. Tom Blaxland (Hook) 111 v Burton
  4. Ross Hardy (Kilgetty) 116 v Saundersfoot
  5. Ryan Davies (Herbrandston) 94 not out v Neyland 2nds
  6. Simon Cole (Cresselly) 77 v Haverfordwest
  7. Anthony Bevan (Kilgetty 2nds) 77 v Pembroke Dock 2nds
  8. Stephen Vale (Lamphey) 5-14 v Crymych
  9. Rob Williams (Lawrenny) 5-16 v Llangwm
  10. Mark Mathias (St Ishmaels 2nds) 5-21 v Stackpole 2nds
  11. Toby Asson (Llangwm 2nds) 5-29 v Whitland 3rds





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