A tremendous all-round team performance saw Pembrokeshire under 11s gain a brilliant victory over Mid Glamorgan. This 30 over game was a tremendous showpiece for regional cricket with a high standard of cricket produced by both teams.
Mid Glamorgan won the toss and elected to bat, with a good wicket and fast outfield promising a high scoring game. The batsmen did not disappoint as they produced an excellent team effort despite a superb bowling and fielding performance from Pembrokeshire.
Mid Glamorgan got off to a shaky start losing a wicket in the first over, Oscar Willington (1 for 1) clean bowling the opener in a pacy three over spell. He was well supported by Delme Morris-Alleyne, Jaap Harris (on his under 11 debut) and Rhys Phelps but the batsmen slowly settled. Alfie Cogbill (22) and Sam Watkins played very well, punishing the loose balls to add 56 before the former was bowled by Jamie Keating (1 for 6). Watkins (54) pushed on to register a superb half-century before he was smartly stumped by Ifan Wyn-Jones off the bowling of William Harries.
Harries (3 for 31) proceeded to rip out the middle order with his left arm leg spin putting Mid Glamorgan on the back foot. Kieran Sinclair, Evan Lewis (also on debut) and Dylan James gave little away with tight spells before Rhys Jones (1 for 6) rounded off the innings with a brilliant caught and bowled. This catch typified the fielding effort which for under 11s was of a very high standard.
After a gorgeous tea, the Pembrokeshire boys set about chasing 165 to win. They too were dealt an early blow with the loss of skipper Wyn-Jones to Dylan James (1 for 11). This brought Rhys Phelps to the crease to join Rhys Jones. These two settled quickly and proceeded to put on a priceless partnership of 84, with a mixture of hard hit boundaries and excellent running between the wickets.
Phelps went on to score 46, falling agonisingly short of a half-century when playing on to his stumps to Gabe Davies (1 for 19). He hit six boundaries in a chanceless knock to put his team in a great position to push for victory. Jones was then joined by Willington in what proved to be the winning partnership of 77.
Jones carried his bat for a brilliant 31 not out, showing admirable judgement and patience and not giving the fielders a single chance. Willington then produced a truly superb display of batting to quickly take the game away from Mid Glamorgan.
He came to the wicket with Pembrokeshire needing 75 from 11 overs.
Such was his onslaught that he registered 53 not out from just 22 balls including 11 boundaries struck to all parts of the ground. This took his team to victory with 5.1 overs to spare, the winning boundary also taking him to his maiden regional half-century, to the visible delight of his teammates.
Coach Jon Willington was suitably delighted with this victory and the performance of the team.
“This young bunch of guys put in an immense performance,” he said.
“I could not be prouder of each and every one of them. Without doubt one of the best if not the best all-round team performances I have seen at regional level. And a special mention for Jaap Harris and Evan Lewis, making their under 11 regional debuts and both putting in excellent performances.”
Pembrokeshire 165 for 2 beat Mid Glamorgan U11s 164 for 6 by 8 wkts
Squad: Ifan Wyn-Jones (c) (Llechryd), Rhys Jones (Whitland) Evan Lewis (Llechryd) William Harries (Hook) Jamie Keating (Kilgetty) Oscar Willington (Hook) Rhys Phelps (Hook) Jaap Harris (Llechryd) Dylan James (Hook) Delme Morris-Alleyne (Llechryd) Kieran Sinclair (Hook)