The domino effect


Batting collapses have been with us since forever and every team has endured one. Neyland were once bowled out for 20 against Kilgetty, Lamphey were once bowled out for 24 against Llangwm while Neyland had Cresselly 39-8 in the Duggie Morris final a few weeks ago before they recovered to 85 all out despite having a first innings lead.

On Saturday, Pembroke Dock had Crymych 12-5 as the Mountain men tried to overhaul the host’s modest 118 and with five men back in the hutch with less than a Baker’s dozen on the board then Luke Murray’s men would have been confident of gaining valuable points as they battle to avoid relegation.

As for today’s collapse at the Oval, well the less said about that, the beter

No-one knows the cause of batting collapses especially among sides that are known as good batting teams yet once they strike, there is no known cure as a variety of different methods are tried and inevitably fail in an attempt to overcome the situation.

The brain plays tricks on cricketers in situations like these, some batsmen think they should fight fire with fire and flay their way out, others think defence is the way forward, these are known as the brick for obvious reasons.

Crymych’s Mark Thomas must have thought the only way they could overcome it was to fight fire with fire and he was the lone fire fighter against the Dock’s flames, hitting 91 not out including a ninth wicket partnership of 58 to win the game.

Defeat puts the Dock in the mire needing two positive results and help from other teams in order to avoid the drop.

Psychologists have studied batting collapses to try and determine why they happen. They can study all they like, the fact is they do and no-one knows why but if you want to learn more about the psychologists’ findings, you can do so here.

Thomas makes this week’s team of the week as do the rest of in-form players including Johnston’s Daniel Sutton who made his third century of the season following his 121 not out v Llanrhian.

Sutton is a fine player, possibly the county’s best although there’ll no doubt be debate about that as the season draws to a close.



Team of the week


  1. Daniel Sutton (Johnston) 121 not out v Llanrhian
  2. James Adie (Stackpole) 93 not out v Llechryd
  3. Mark Thomas (Crymych) 91 not out and 2-20 v Pembroke Dock
  4. Toby Hayman (Burton) 89 v Haverfordwest 2nds
  5. Andrew Williams (Narberth 2nds) 82 v Burton 2nds
  6. Dan James (Saundersfoot 2nds) 79 not out v Pembroke 2nds
  7. Mark Stubbs (Haverfordwest 3rds) 76 not out v Carew 3rds
  8. Kristen Bennet (Herbrandston) 53 and 4-26 v Hundleton
  9. Harry Thomas (Cresselly) 6-50 v Llangwm
  10. Grant Hardy (Kilgetty) 5-21 v Hook
  11. Neil Gregory (Carew) 5-34 v St Ishmaels



Some big names just missed out this week though:

  • Phil Kirkby (Haverfordwest 3rds) 76 v Carew 3rds
  • Ben Field (Haverfordwest) 76 v Whitland
  • Richie Adams (Narberth) 72 v Saundersfoot
  • Greth Davies (Llanrhian) 72 v Johnston
  • Adam Chandler (Cresselly) 71 not out v Llangwm
  • Adam James (Haverfordwest) 4-40 v Whitland
  • Megan Jenkins (Cresselly 3rds) 4-21 v St Ishmaels 2nds
  • Rob Couzens (Fishguard) 4-8 v Whitland 3rds

Finally, it's sad to see Camrose pull out especially with just two weeks to go but a failure to raise a side two weeks in succession meant this was inevitable. It's a shame as they had a good side when at full strength and had they stayed together could very well have pushed for the first division in the near future.
Their pulling out has had an effect on the current division two tables which now stand like this.

Nicholas Insurance Services Pembroke County Cricket League
Div 2
Table
ALL GAMES
Total
Pts
Runs
Runs
Wkts
Wkts
Pen'
Pld
Points
W
D
L
Ab
Tied
Bat
Bowl
Conc'
For
Against
Taken
Lost
Pts
Narberth 
16
295
11
1
2
2
0
57
64
127
2693
2154
130
81
-60
Kilgetty 
16
247
8
1
3
4
0
46
50
174
2119
2025
105
100
-15
Cresselly II
15
242
7
2
4
2
0
52
50
162
2484
2053
104
82
-30
Hook 
16
207
4
3
7
2
0
54
50
272
2470
2599
105
108
0
Pembroke 
16
196
7
4
3
2
0
54
49
202
2481
2485
103
84
-59
Whitland II
16
183
5
0
9
2
0
47
41
286
2159
2357
87
111
-5
Burton 
16
164
4
2
7
3
0
47
48
263
2079
2171
98
104
-19
Saundersfoot 
15
145
5
0
7
3
0
46
35
233
2149
2140
73
91
-41
Haverfordwest II
16
143
4
2
8
2
0
46
45
270
2051
2278
93
113
-56
Camrose & Spittal
14
0
3
1
8
2
0
39
34
261
1805
2228
72
96
-143
 

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