Match sponsored by

                                                                                              
                                                     Cresselly (150 for 9) beat Lamphey (144) by 6 runs

This latest defeat to fellow promotion candidates Cresselly left Lamphey players scratching their heads as to just what is going wrong. After another positive start Lamphey fell at the last hurdle for the second weekend in a row. 

Skipper White continued the winning sequence with the toss and invited the home side to bat on a damp wicket with little grass cover. Early indications were promising as the opening duo of Vale and Cole bowled a superb line and length and were ably backed up by a positive attitude in the field.  Such was the dominance held by the Stags that Cresselly were only moving along at 2 runs an over and in the 18th over and with the score on 33, Cole tempted Arthur to have one waft too many as he was snapped up by keeper Johnson. This soon became 36 for 3 as Vale joined in on the act snapping up two quick wickets and after 24 overs the home side had limped to 44 for 3. As both Vale and Cole were bowled through the change saw Gibbs and Oatley into the attack and as the overs ticked by and with the pressure increasing wickets tumbled. The fourth wicket falling at 53 as Oatley then Gibbs picked up 3 wickets a piece with the home side struggling on 90 for 8. However the home side rallied in the last 8 overs as M Lewis (25) and S Harts (24*) helped them to finish on 150 for 9.

With regular opener McGilloway unavailable due to University finals, the responsibilty of opening with skipper White fell to Nic Johnson, both players started cautiously and took the score to 25 before Johnson (8) holed out. Vale in at three departed shortly after as he returned to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Credit to the home side bowling as the Stags found runs hard to come by and despite only needing just under 4 an over began to slip under the required rate. The enigma that is Gibbs added 2 to the score before he was out and with the score on 50 for 3 the usually attacking Oatley found the going tough. Along with White he managed to advance the score to 74 before losing his wicket for 13 and one run later Skipper White fell for a resilient 39. With the run rate increasing and with two new batsmen at the crease the partnership of Skeels and Hamilton only managed to add another 12 to the total before Skeels departed for 2. With the score on 87 Haydn Cole who has the ability to cause destruction with the bat managed to dispatch one ball into the adjacent field for 6, but on attempting to charge the bowler was adjudged LBW and his cameo was over. With 94 on the board for the loss of 7 wickets, the Stags required 57 runs from the last 8 overs of the innings if they were to emerge victorious. Opening bowler Cole joined young Hamilton in the middle and pushed the score along to 113 before Hamilton departed for 14. The visitors now required 38 runs from 5 overs, and Lamphey were given hope when Cole launched Lewis for 2 successive sixes, one onto the roof of the clubhouse and the other into the pavilion. With Badham at the other end the runs were being gathered at with great aplomb, however with the score on 142 Badham top edged a delivery which the keeper managed to take and he departed for 15. With only 7 runs required from the last two overs the game had turned on its head. Jamie Oatley did the sensible thing and managed to give Cole the strike, however with the last ball of the penultimate over Cole tried to push the single to reclaim the strike but only succeeding in being yorked by young Harts. Cole was out for an agressive 29 which included 3 sixes and Lamphey were dismissed just 7 runs short of victory on 144. 

A third of the campaign is already complete and Lamphey find themselves fourth bottom of the 3rd division. It is imperative that the players now focus on one game at a time and push the notion of promotion from their minds. Its something that we all want but have no devine right to it. I'll finish with a quote from William Jennings Bryan who wrote "Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. Its not a thing to be waited for, its a thing to be achieved". 

Star Man - Grant Cole - Bowled superbly in tandem with Vale and almost saw the Stags home with an entertaining 29

                                                                                                             Sponsored by 

                                                                                     WELL HILL GARAGE               

Lamphey went into this encounter full of confidence after their 5 wicket win the previous saturday, but despite a competent fielding display still succumbed to a 5 run defeat at the hands of their hosts despite only needing a modest 141 to win.

The toss won by the Stags saw the home side invited to bat on a hard wicket with sunny but very windy conditions. The usual opening partnership of Cole and Vale were once again paired up and despite some tight bowling the home side raced to 45 with out loss after 13. This saw the unlucky Vale removed from the attack and replaced with Oatley. After 18 overs the home side had progressed to 60 without loss and skipper White made the decision to replace Cole for Gibbs. With the run rate being some what stiffled Gibbs and Oatley increased the pressure on the home side and it wasnt long before Oatley with the score on 62 made the breakthrough with M Cockburn's luck finally running out being snapped up by Vale in the first of his three catches. A combination of tight bowling and excellent fielding and in particular from debutante Luke Hamilton the 2nd wicket fell in the 29th over with just 92 on the board, Gibbs making the breakthrough with Vale leaping salmon like to pluck the ball out of the air with his left hand. With wickets in hand the St Ishmael batsmen threw caution to the wind and although they picked up the singles, boundaries were cut out completely (only three boundaries in the final 32 overs). In the 36th over Gibbs claimed 2 wickets in succession with the score on 118 and in the final over snapped up another 2 wickets to finish with a five wicket haul to leave the home side on 140 for 6.

With 141 for victory at 3.5 an over the Stags were confident of claiming their 2nd win in a row. Things got off to a steady start as White and McGilloway advanced the score to 20 after 7 overs before McGilloway played a lofted drive straight to mid on for 5. Vale who had been in good form in recent weeks played several delightful shots before he became victim number 2 being superbly caught in the gully for 4. 29 for 2 shortly became 33 for 3 as Skipper White then became the 3rd person to be caught after making a valuable 21. Gibbs was joined in the middle by the big hitting Oatley and with the pair in the middle they went about restoring parity and after 18 overs Lamphey were well placed with the score on 74. Gibbs became catch victim 4 as he chipped a shot of his legs straight to square leg who didnt have to move to take an easy catch. Another in form player  in the form of Johnson joined Oatley at the crease and the pair advanced the score to 97 before Oatley departed for a well made 29. 5 down became 6 down in an instant as Cole fell 1st ball caught at mid on, with Lamphey now in trouble and only Johnson as a recognised batsman left, it was down to him to push the visitors on, however disaster struck when Johnson played a ball which brushed his pads and rolled agonisingly onto his stumps and his time in the middle was over for 28 including one huge 6. With newcomer Hamilton and Jon Mathias together they did all they could to reach that 141 mark, Hamilton played some nice shots including one legside pull for 4 before his luck ran out and he was bowled for 9. Scott Duffy in his first game for the 1st XI entered the fray and scored one before he became victim number 9. With only young Jamie Oatley to bat and the score on 122 for 9 it only seemed a matter of time before the game was over, however Oatley and Mathias had different ideas as they both played with a great deal of sense in blocking the good ball and playing the bad and as the overs ticked by and the runs slowly crept up the home side must have had a doubt in their mind as to whether they were going to win or lose. 122 for 9 became 135 for 9 and with only 6 needed to win, Mathias was unfortunately caught plumb in front of his stumps and the dreading finger of fate was risen. Despite the heroics of Mathias and Oatley (6 n.o) the Stags fell disappointingly only 6 runs short of victory and a big set back in their quest for automatic promotion. Fortunately other results went for them and they only find themselves 11 points off an automatic promotion place. Stackpole continue to steamroller their way ahead, dropping only 2 points along the way and it does seem at this early stage that at least half a dozen teams will be scrapping for that one place.

Once again a disappointing result down to some poor shot selections. Batting continues to be a problem with the same few scoring runs without enough contribution from others. Those who do score runs however must ensure that they progress from the 20s to the 30s and 40s if Lamphey are to be successful this season. Hopefully the following weeks will see the improvements needed.

Star Man - Hywel Gibbs - Another fine bowling display from Hywel, almost another hat-trick and 22 runs with the bat.

LAMPHEY v BURTON II 17/5/08

                                                                                Match Sponsored by

                                                                                                     
                                        Lamphey (105 for 5) Beat Burton II (104) by 5 Wickets

                                                GIBBS HEROICS LEADS LAMPHEY TO VICTORY

 
With Grant Cole missing this week, the task of match reporting has fallen on opening bat and dedicated clubman Peter McGilloway. 

 A nervous morning for the young skipper as overcast conditions played on his mind. Luckily the ever cheery presence of Geoff Daye and Andrew Skeels assuaged the captain’s fears as it was deemed extremely likely that play would ensue at the correct time. This was obviously an important toss to win with a slightly damp wicket and the atmospheric conditions that seasoned swing bowlers such as Stephen Vale relish. White duly won the toss after the opposing skipper called tails and Burton were asked to bat.

Burton looked a decent side and opener Scale led by example with some stoic defence and opportunistic runs scoring. Vale and Oatley opened for the proud stags as regular Grant Cole was otherwise engaged. Vale found some early swing while Oatley battled and it was no surprise when Oatley dismissed the Burton opener with his trademark scream. An important early wicket for the wild stags and one that injected confidence and belief into the side. A wicket apiece for Gibbs and Vale raised spirits and 10 wickets were looking in sight for the 1^st time this season. Young James Skeels was brought into the fold 2^nd change and bowled nicely, unlucky not to get a wicket as his father spilled a regulation slip catch. It was however, Ike that got the 4^th wicket as his looping spin bowling coaxed the batsman to chip into extra cover and fall neatly caught by a backtracking White.

The story of the day was to be made by Hywel Gibbs. With Burton opener Scale going strong Gibbs had him clean bowled. A key wicket and one that raised spirits. Next ball and another batsman clean bowled by Gibbs. A fired up Lamphey team were up for the next ball like never before, and a well judged field setting by Captain White was placed for the hat-trick ball. Gareth Nicholas turned to McGilloway and said “this one’s going to be out” Gibbs ran in and sent a good length ball down to the new batsman. Looking for runs, the batsman went for a sweep shot and succeeded in clipping the ball round to the leg slip Jon Mathias.  Mathias pouched it with his now trademark cool demeanour and the entire team ran towards Gibbs and gathered into An ecstatic bouncing huddle. A fantastic hat-trick by a fantastic man who is sure to go down in the Lamphey annals as one of the true greats. “Ruthless” captaincy from the skipper saw Gibbs taken out of the fold and a nice spell of 3-11 from 7. 1over by Skeels sr. finished off the Burton innings. Solid bowling and neat fielding from the likes of Jamie Oatley and Gareth Nicholas ensured that the game was in Lamphey hands. 

With Burton out for 104, Lamphey had every chance of reaching this total with ease. But for a side struggling for early season luck and form, it was no mean feat. White and McGilloway opened as usual and found runs hard to come by… as usual. McGilloway was soon discovering his touch with some nice leg side flicks and a well struck boundary timed well through mid wicket, while captain White was more restrained, though battling as ever. McGilloway was harshly adjudged LBW and that was the end of his 17 run innings with the score on 30.

70 runs to go as Stephen Vale came to the crease displaying some of the perfect timing and fine cricket brain that has seen him make the number 3 position his own. White never really found his touch and was unlucky to play on from a bad ball, out for 11. This brought hat-trick hero Hywel Gibbs to the crease but he was soon clean bowled for 2 playing an ill-advised shot. With Oatley arriving at the crease the runs soon flowed with some lusty blows and smart defence working well in tandem with Vale’s textbook sweep shots and drives. Vale was again the victim of a disputable LBW decision but his 25 runs were invaluable to the stags’ cause. Johnson arrived at the crease and soon put Lamphey nerves to bed as he displayed his newfound and much welcomed maturity in scoring a match finishing 16. Oatley’s dismissal for an invaluable 25 brought Andrew ‘ike’ Skeels to the crease and it was he who hit the winning run with an innovative scoop over mid-off, much to the delight of the Lamphey contingent. A good solid 28 point win for the stags and one that should kick-start the season

Next week sees the return of Grant Cole so until the next time Cardiff reaches the FA cup final, I bid you all a fond farewell. 

Star man – Plenty of heroes and contenders but Hywel Gibbs gets it for his magnificent hat-trick that has lit a fire under Lamphey CC and should drive us on for the season.

LAMPHEY v PEMBROKE DOCK 10/5/08

                                                                                Match Sponsored by

                                                                                           

                                            Lamphey (170 for 9) drew with Pembroke Dock (156 for 8)

This game whilst an entertaing spectacle for the neutral was anything but for the 22 players who graced the pitch. If football is a game of two halves, what unfolded at Lamphey on Saturday was a game of four quarters as the match ebbed and flowed from side to side, the outcome in the balance until the very last couple of overs.

Quarter 1 - Pembroke Dock won the toss and invited the home side to bat on a damp, soft wicket despite it being a glorious sunny day. Early overs saw both openers, White and McGilloway size up the visitors bowling attack and progressed the score into the teens before McGilloway was unfortunate to be bowled by Camani with the ball just brushing his bail and out for 0. Vale in at 3 continued to play as he did the week previous, growing in confidence in his new anchor role at the top of the innings. The home pair kept the score board ticking before White chased a ball too far outside off stump and only succeeded in chipping the ball to point out for 14. Gibbs and Vale added a dozen or so before Vale was bowled for 15, Oatley in at 5 was unable to repeat his success of the week before as he managed 10 before he became victim number 4 and Lamphey were struggling again. Other than the impressive Gibbs the home batting showed serious signs of fraility as the Pembroke Dock bowlers stuck to their task and Lamphey were in real bother as two quick wickets - Cole (1) and Nicholas (1) saw Lamphey reeling at 66 for 6

Quarter 2 - With Lamphey seemingly on the ropes it was the Dock who were looking to deliver the killer punch but they hadnt counted on Johnson in at 8 to provide Gibbs with some solid support. Both players playing with a great deal of sense and whilst taking few risks continued to push the scoreboard along at 4 and 5 an over. As the overs ticked by the Dock players were becoming dispondent as the scoreboard passed the 100 mark, Gibbs deservedly reached his 50. With the score in the 140s the visitors made the breakthrough as Gibbs unluckily was bowled off his pads for a valuable 60. Any recoverery the Dock had hoped for wasnt helped when Haydn Cole strode to the crease and didnt waste too much time in hitting a quickfire 16 which included a 6 and 2 fours. Next to depart with the score on 169 was Johnson, who had played possibly one of his best innings to score 44 valuable runs. With 8 balls left of the innings it was down to Jamie Oatley and Jon Mathias to stop the Dock from gaining maximum points and from the last ball of the final over Mathias obtained the single which saw the home side finish their innings on 170 for 9.

A fired up home side took to the field after tea knowing it would take something special for the visitors to get the total posted. The familiar opening attack of Cole and Vale took the initiative, both bowling tight and placing such a stranglehold on the innings that the opening pair of Kingdom and Khan had only managed to score 11 runs off 12 overs.

Quarter 3 - From the 12th over the Dock openers after a brief discussion proceeded to turn the game on its head with a mix of agressive batting, poor fielding and bowling they proceeded to take the score to 70 off 20 overs and by the time the first wicket had fallen they had reached the 90s, Kingdom being dismissed for 28. Khan who had seemingly struggled early on grew in confidence and reached his 50 not long after. With Steve Hartley in at 3 proving a great foil to Khan that after 25 overs the score had moved onto 109 for 1. With 15 overs remaining and the game seemingly running away from Lamphey, it lurched one final time.

Quarter 4 - With the Dock only needing 60 to win off 15 overs they lost the key wicket of Khan as he went for one shot too many. With him gone, Lamphey started to believe that perhaps they could get something out the game. Oatley bowled well, despite having his bowling hand strapped, whilst Gibbs although expensive early on found some form later in his spell. However, the decisive moment of the game came when skipper White played his trump cards and with the game still in the balance brought both Vale and Haydn Cole into the attack. With 8 overs remaining and with the Dock only needing 40odd to win, both bowlers, in particular Vale, produced bowling spells from the top draw. Vales' performance saw him collect four late wickets and Cole snapping up two. Even though the Dock were still right in it with 3 overs to go, Vale and Cole exerted such a stranglehold on the match that the Dock were pleased just to hang on, finishing just short of the Lamphey total, on 156 for 8.

Star Man – Stephen Vale – Just shaded Gibbs and Johnson with his late wickets to ensure Lamphey a positve result.

STACKPOLE v LAMPHEY  03/5/08

                                                                                Match Sponsored by

                                                                                          

Stackpole (194 for 1) beat Lamphey (145 all out) by 49 Runs

Lamphey were handed possibly the toughest fixture they could have for their opening game of 2008, and so it was to prove that a Lamphey 1st XI shorn of half a dozen players stumbled to defeat.

New Club skipper, Paul White won the toss and invited the home side to bat on a wet wicket which despite seeing weeks of rain actually played pretty well. Both Stackpole openers though didnt let the low bounce phase them and found little problem dealing with the opening bowling of Vale and Cole. After 10 overs the pair had moved the score into the 40's with Cox in particular playing some decent shots. With Vale uncharacteristically struggling to find his rhythm he was replaced by the spin of Gibbs and with the score on 67 succeeded in attempting the young opener to edge a delivery to stand in keeper and second team skipper Andrew Skeels. With Cole replaced from the other end, the consistent Oatley entered the fray and was unlucky to have Stackpole skipper McKay dropped behind on 0 and then again was unfortunate to see McKay loop a dolly into no mans land without troubling the scorers.

Unfortunately from a Lamphey point of view that was as good as it got as both Cox and McKay grew in confidence and pushed the run rate up and up. Cox the first to reach his 50, then followed by McKay with his. Cox in particular continued to bat with confidence and it was no surprise when he reached the magic three figures with a 6 off skipper White. With the overs counting down both players milked the runs and with lapses of concentration in the field closed their innings on a very respectable 194 for 1.

The Lamphey changing room at the interval was understandably subdued, but a rallying of the troops breathed new fire into the bellies. White and McGilloway opened, both looking fairly comfortable before the latter played around a delivery and was out for 13. With the score on 27 for 1, Vale in his new position of 3 played some great shots supporting his skipper in the middle. However with the score in the 40s, Vale became the 2nd man to fall. That almost instantly became 3 down as allrounder Gibbs succumbed to a second ball Duck. Oatley went in at 5 and before long was dispatching the ball to all parts of the field with some well placed and time shots. This allowed White to free up a bit and he and Oatley advanced the score to 82 before he fell for 33 to an excellent catch. Cole in at 6 supported Oatley as they pushed the score over the 100 mark and with 15 overs remaining the home side were begining to get a bit twitchy. However the dismissal of Cole saw Lamphey on 109 for 5 and the balance of power once again sway the other way. Lewis Haines played a cameo role adding another 10 to the board whilst Oatley continued to play his game. With the score on 127 Haines became the 6th man out. 2nd XI skipper Skeels scored 1 before being adjudged LBW, then the game as a competition came to an end when Oatley was caught for an entertaining 62. With 8 overs remaining Lamphey looked to shut up shop, however with only Jon Mathais, James Skeels and Nathan Mount left to bat, the goal proved one too great and despite some resillient and determined batting by Skeels junior Lamphey were all out for 145 with 16 balls of the innings remaining. Skeels finishing undefeated on 3 not out.

Always disappointing to kick of the season with a defeat, but not without some crumbs of comfort. Oatley and White batted well, Skeels junior played with promise. Youngsters Haines and Mount did well in the fielded as did Skeels senior behind the stumps. With a total of 11 players unavailable for duty on the opening weekend it was always going to be difficult, but there is a glimmer of light which will hopefully burn brighter in the weeks to come.


Star Man – Jason Oatley – Unlucky not to get a few wickets and gave Lamphey hope with a destructive batting display