REIGNING Division 1 champions Cresselly earned their second win of the season on Saturday (May 6) as they beat Herbrandston by seven wickets.
The newly-promoted side won the toss and chose to bat first but they struggled as they were bowled out for 152 inside 37 overs.
They lost Aaron Bowles early on when he was bowled by Charlie Arthur but Harry Nicholas and Charlie Malloy put on an excellent stand of 70 runs for the second wicket.
Nicholas hit two fours in his score of 21 but he was then caught by Archie Hillier-Wood off the bowling of Tom Arthur.
More wickets began to fall as Jack Nicholas was bowled by Arthur on a duck and Charlie Malloy, who had batted well to reach a half century with nine fours, was also bowled by Arthur on a score of 51.
That reduced Herbier to 84-4 and it was soon 107-5 as Jonathan Bennett was caught by Neilson Cole off the bowling of Arthur on a score of 13.
Dean John was caught by Tom Murphy off the bowling of Stefan Jenkins who then also bowled Atticus Kingston for a third ball duck.
Arthur returned and had Kristian Bennett caught by Charlie Arthur on a score of 18 (two fours, 1 six). That left the visitors in trouble on 116-8.
Rob Hood and Paul Nicholas did their best to push the score up as Hood hit five fours in a score of 27 from 19 balls. Hood was then stumped by Cole off the bowling of Charlie Arthur and Christian Phillips wrapped up the innings as he took the wicket of Nicholas.
Tom Arthur finished with excellent figures of 5-49 while Charlie finished with 2-18 and Stefan Jenkins finished with 2-31.
In reply, Charlie Arthur and Phil Williams got Cresselly off to an excellent start as they shared an opening stand of 84.
Arthur hit nine fours and a six in his score of 52 from 50 balls but he was caught by Kristian Bennett off the bowling of Paul Nicholas.
Soon after, Neilson Cole was caught by Jack Nicholas off the bowling of Harry Nicholas to leave the home side on 95-2.
Williams and Iwan Izzard added 45 for the third wicket to take their side to within touching distance of victory. Williams hit five fours in his score of 45 but he was caught by Jack Nicholas off the bowling of Dean John.
Izzard smashed seven fours and a six in his score of 43 from 24 balls to see his side home with plenty of time to spare.
On Saturday, May 13, Cresselly visit St Ishmaels and Herbrandston host Saundersfoot.
