SAUNDERSFOOT claimed an excellent win on Saturday (May 7) as they beat champions Neyland by four wickets.
Neyland’s last defeat in league action came to Lawrenny in August 2021 and their most recent defeat before that came at the hands of Saundersfoot in 2019.
There was excellent weather for Saturday’s game and Saundersfoot chose to field on winning the toss.
Paul Murray and Lewis Page got Neyland going with a first-wicket of stand of 70 but Page departed having made 22.
Murray hit 12 fours and a six in his knock of 63 but he was caught by John Mansbridge off the bowling of Tom Mansbridge.
Andrew Miller and Nick Koomen then shared another 67 runs for the third wicket as Koomen made his way to a score of 41 with five fours and a six.
However, he was then caught by Yannic Parker off the bowling of Scott Helmich to leave Neyland on 167-3.
Soon after that became 4 as Helmich had Brad McDermott-Jenkins caught by John Mansbridge for a duck.
Neyland’s mini-wobble continued as Neil Powling then trapped Andrew Miller leg before on a score of 35 to leave Neyland on 167-5.
George Evans and Jack John steadied the ship and they were able to finish the innings unbeaten.
Evans finished with a score of 26 while John was not out on 14 as they helped their side post 224-5 from their 45 overs.
Saundersfoot lost Scott Helmich early on in their reply as he was stumped by Paul Murray off the bowling of Jack John.
However, Tom Mansbridge and Sam Franklin put their side in a great position with a brilliant second wicket stand worth 148 runs.
Franklin hit eight fours and two sixes in his score of 76 but he was then caught by John off the bowling of Nick Koomen.
Neyland began to hit back as Koomen then had John Mansbridge caught by Ian Jenkins before Koomen bowled Yannic Parker for a duck.
That left Saundersfoot on 176-4 but they still had Tom Mansbridge at the crease who continued to edge towards a century.
He hit eight fours and four sixes as he reached a score of 88 but he was caught and bowled by Gary Lloyd and the home side had two new batters at the crease with only 19 runs to get.
Jack Frankin and D Green held their nerve and they were able to see Saundersfoot to victory with scores of 9 and 14 not out respectively.
Neyland remain top despite defeat but they are now only two points ahead of Cresselly. Saundersfoot move up to seventh with their first win of the season.
