It's not the size of the dog but....

Newgale is Nirvana for dogs. 

Not the dogs I saw on the beach.
 

On Tuesday there were a proliferation of pooches running around the place with two in particular catching the eye.

The lady must have thrown the ball over twenty times and with every throw the dogs ran after it.

The light coloured Labrador always won although the chocolate coloured one never gave up as it scuttled up behind trying to fetch its prize.

It was the older of the two with the odd spec of grey showing in-between its dark shiny coat and its hind legs didn't move quite as freely as it's mate which no doubt slowed it down.

I can relate to that given I'm in the Autumn of my time wearing whites but what I couldn't relate to was its perseverance in the face of constant defeat. I would have given up; the fight is no longer in me as there would be nothing to fight for; not even pride. I would never have won so why even try?

After reading the results from last week I'm wondering if local cricketers are feeling the same, especially those batting second.

In all the divisions the majority of matches were won by the team batting first and the majority won handsomely too.

Biggest win of the day was Llangwm's as they beat Herbrandston to the tune of 248 runs. Haverfordwest fared little better in division one, losing by 207 runs against Cresselly.

Of the teams batting first in division one and winning, the teams won by an average of 111 runs. In division two the margin increased to 121.

Why?

Was it a lack of attitude, ability or a mixture of the two? Dare it be asked but is the lack of a draw removing something to play for? Is the game over as soon as the chasers lose a few early wickets? Do the remaining batsmen have the technique and temperament to overcome the odds or are they just giving up? If the draw was still in place would they change the way they bat?

Are these results a blip or will they be a lasting trend?

Time will tell on that front although the huge victories gained by teams batting first suggest the way those chasing needs to improve.

Alex Bailey may have hit 16 sixes in his incredible 167 not out v Haverfordwest but that's not to say the way to overcome Cresselly's mammoth target is to bat the same way (if indeed they did they did of course. I wasn't there). Very few teams possess players as dynamic and powerful as him. 

So, what's the best way to chase? How do you go about overcoming a mountain of runs? 

Don't ask me but this article by Michael Bevan on espncricinfo.com could help. The former Australia middle order batsman is regarded as one of the greatest finishers of all time and provides sound advice for overcoming the odds to win matches batting second.

Of course, reading about how to do it is one thing, doing it is something different again and if you can't learn from Bevan, at least take something from the chocolate coloured dog. 

In other words, never ever give up.