IT is a cricketing destination we all dream about.

And for the Pembrokeshire Under 16s side, that dream became reality last month when they embarked on a tour of Barbados.

Overall, 15 players made the trip of a lifetime, in an overall party of 34 that included parents, supporters, and a management team of Simon Williams, Huw Scriven, Paul and Sarah Mansbridge, and umpire Richard Merriman.

The group played four games in stifling conditions, and enjoyed a range of experiences on their 10 day trip.

The side’s opening game came against Lester Vaughan School at the Desmond Haynes Pavilion, a one day game in exceptional heat – but Pembrokeshire battled well to dismiss the home side for 247 before falling 32 runs short of that total as they made 215 all out. Jake Merry on particular, impressed for the tourists with 55 in 62 balls.

Pembrokeshire’s second fixture was a night-time 20/20 match against Boscobelle CC at Melrose Cricket Club, and again the county bowled well to restrict their opponents to 137-7, before making 109 all out in their reply.

The hosts also fielded an opening bowler who produced what Richard Merriman described as the 'quickest spell of bowling he'd ever umpired to.”

Queen’s College were the opponents in game three for another 20/20 clash.

Against a very strong attack Pembrokeshire were reduced to 93 all out, before Queen’s College edged home five wickets down as Jonny White took 2 for 8.

The squad’s final game came under lights against another formidable team, Dover CC, and Pembrokeshire made 97 all out in 20 overs.

Another good bowling display made the home side sweat, but despite 2 for 10 from John Mansbridge, they eventually passed the total five wickets down. Ironically, one of Dover’s best performers was Pembrokeshire’s Kieran O’Connor, who played for the opposition after they suffered a late player withdrawal, and scored 35 not out.

But despite the defeats, Simon Williams appeared to echo the thoughts of the whole group when he described the trip as a ‘brilliant experience’.

“The boys would have learnt so much – the heat in some of the games was nothing like they were used to, and the pace of the bowling they faced was eye opening,” he told Telegraph Sport.

“But none of them shirked anything. We performed better in evening games when the temperatures were cooler, and it was just a brilliant experience for everyone involved.”

And Simon added the touring party, who were based at Saint Lawrence Gap throughout their stay, could not have been treated better.

“We were looked after and played against the friendliest people you could ever meet.

“We really hope now that trips like this can take place more regularly.”

Indeed, the group also enjoyed a tour of the Kensington Oval from Henderson Springer, jet skiing, a catamaran trip, and a trip to West Indies international Carlos Brathwaite’s  at factory – and the Windies captain signed two bats for the squad to take home.

The players themselves undertook various fundraising activities to raise money for the trip, but Simon said the whole party wanted to thank Ocky White, County Electrical Services, Clydey Cottages, the Panorama Hotel, and Strength Academy Wales for their generous sponsorship.

“Also a massive thankyou to Mark White for arranging the trip for us, and to Richard Merriman for doing the umpiring throughout.”

Pembrokeshire squad: Tom Blockwell, Jack Blockwell, Nikhil Mathias, Jonny White, Jack Scriven, Jake Merry, Kieran O'Connor, Archie Thomas (all Haverfordwest); Jack Nicholas, Harry Nicholas (Herbrandston); Noah Davies (Hook); Lewis Hough (Narberth); John Mansbridge, Tom Mansbridge (Saundersfoot); Levi Hughes (Kilgetty).