Low and slow

Pembrokeshire cricketers are used to rain, it usually scuppers their weekend plans but last night’s thunderous downpours may prove more of a blessing than a hinderance to the parched pitches of the county.

Imran khan once said the only time he was scared while batting was while facing Michael Holding following a downpour in the Caribbean, the rain making the wicket more like the indoor nets at Neath than a proper pitch curated from loam.

A bit of rain can add speed into wickets sometimes making it uncomfortable to bat on but Haverfordwest will just be wanting some pace.

Anecdotal evidence suggests the pitch at the Racecourse for their game against Carew last week was as slow and low as could be. It was more like a sub-continental dustbowl than a local wicket which errs on the slow side but still sits up enough to drive through the ball

A score of 123-7 off 45 overs would suggest that to be the case and Simon ‘Doc’ Holliday’s innings of 54 is said to have occupied over 30 overs!

Hardly an advertisement for exciting cricket then although purists who understand the nuances of the game would admire his ability to adapt his game to the situation.

Carew may have lost six wickets in passing the total but the victory propelled them to the top of the charts.

Could this be the year they regain the coveted first division crown?

They are certainly in form and have four all-rounders who are shining in the early season sunshine.

Tom and Rhys Davies, Tim Hicks and Sean Whitfield have all played dynamic roles in helping Carew win and we’ve barely heard from Ian Sefton, Nick Scourfield and Brian Hall.

As if like stealth, they are climbing through the ranks after a few fallow seasons preparing them for a title challenge.

It’s been a season for all-rounders so far, the aforementioned starring alongside others like Kurtis Marsh of Kilgetty. His performances led to a Welsh Colleges cap against the MCC at Neath the past week while other all-rounders have also shone in the sun.

Dan Sutton continues to shine too an innings of 80 last week would be a great return for most but he fell agonisingly short of a third consecutive ton.

Batting must be exhausting work for the classy right-hander given he’s training for a bodybuilding competition, stripping his body fat down, living off reduced calories while maintaining his fitness regime.

More credit to his mental strength then for being able to push through.

Runs were not high on the list of achievements last week with only the lower divisions really posting big scores but no fewer than 18 players took four wicket hauls throughout the league.

Six did it in division one, five in division two, four a division below while none managed it in four.

Three managed it in the fifth.

It made choosing a team of the week that little bit trickier given Anthony Bevan took 4-18 for Kilgetty, Colin Slater a superb 4-8 for Haverfordwest 4ths and Gwynne Phillips had 4-15 for Whitland 3rds.

None of them made it despite their excellence with Aaron Bowles of Herbrandston getting the nod despite going for a few more runs than the others,.

His innings of 36 against Lamphey helped him in.

A word about Nigel Phillips of Pembroke. He may play for the seconds now but he’s still got it and who would bet against him being the league's oldest centurion this season?

Richard Harris of Cresselly may have something to say about that mind as his good form continues.

Sutton, naturally made it in too.

Team of the week:

Stephen Murray (Neyland 2nds)  122 v Johnston 2nds

Lewis Haines (Lamphey) 119 v Herbrandston

Nigel Phillips (Pembroke 2nds) 102 not out v Burton 2nds

Wayne Jones (Whitland 2nds) 84 not out v Stackpole

Daniel Sutton (Johnston) 80 v Whitland

Richard Harris (Cresselly 2nds) 78 not out and 2-27 v H’west 3rds

Richard Thorne (Crymych) 77 not out v Hook 2nds

Geraint Rees (Neyland 2nds) 6-14 v Johnston 2nds

Ioan Davies (Crymych) 5-11 v Hook 2nds

Anthony Lewis (Kilgetty 2nds) 5-18 v Saundersfoot Seconds

Aaron Bowles (Herbrandston) 4-43 and 36 v Lamphey