Bedminster Cricket Club youth side came to Pembrokeshire during their tour of Wales, the side’s sixth trip having previously been to Devon, Yorkshire, Essex, Ireland and the West Midlands.

The National Trust Stackpole Centre was the base for the three squads comprising of 37 players and 17 adults, with many supporters also travelling. 

Due to the sunny weather that greeted the touring party all of the 19 schedule games were played against the 14 different Welsh Club and County sides.

The Under 16s played Ynystawe/Clydach, Haverfordwest, Kilgetty, Hook and Usk.

After beating Ynystawe, the tourists won a thrilling two day affair at Haverfordwest. Full report here.

Kilgetty were the next opposition in a 40 over encounter.

Bedminster batted first and cousins Ahsaan (35) and Shazil Butt (35) were the main contributors in their 178 all out, with Kilgetty’s Tom Mansbridge picking up 5 for 21 in his 5.1 overs. 

Kilgetty seemed set to inflict a first defeat upon the Under 16 team as Tom Mansbridge and Kurtis Marsh put on an 82 run stand until Max Tryfonos broke the partnership in the 21st over.

Mansbridge went on to score 70 whilst Tryfonos picked up a 7 for 20 haul, including a hat-trick and four maidens in 7.1 overs - as Kilgetty were all out for 150. 

On the penultimate day it was Hook who hosted the tourists and handed out a double defeat to the visitors in two T20 style games, with coloured kit and pink balls.

In the first game Bedminster only managed 75 all out with only Harry Drissell (23) Bailey Peacock (12) and extras (11) getting into double figures. Hook's Aled Phelps and Louis Davis took three wickets each.

Chasing a low total Hook were soon 11 for 3 but bounced back to win a close game for the loss of nine wickets, despite opening and death bowler Lewis Mason claiming 3 for 5 in his brilliant four over burst. 

Hook knew they were the only side to date to claim the scalp of the touring side from England and in the second game they chose to bat and posted 130 for 4. Bailey Peacock (2 for 23) the only one to claim wickets from his bowling alongside two run outs.

But the squad bounced back to finish their tour with a T20 win over Usk.

In the first Under 14 fixture Bedminster won at Clydach – before a Pembrokeshire County team provided little resistance in the next game, a 40 over encounter, as Bedminster posted 191 all out.

Danny Constable top scored with 84 and Oscar Sullivan made 42, with Ewan Watts the best bowler with 3 for 13. Pembrokeshire were bowled out for 61 as Owen Peacock took 3 for 5 in five over, with Zulk Butt and Will Harvey picking up two wickets each. 

After beating Carmarthen Wanderers, the Under 14s went to Bosherton and Stackpole, who strengthened their side with some of the regional players, but  were one short as Tom Yeo crossed over to play against his team mates.

From 20 overs, Stackpole went on to score 156 for 8, as Euan MacDonald hit 59 not out with Yeo (4 not out) getting his best score on tour!

In the interval Bosherton and Stackpole officially opened their new electronic scoreboard – before the tourists again prevailed with Will Harvey (46 not out) as Carter Bailey (15 not out) seeing them home.

By their next game, fatigue was kicking in and the Under 14s fell one short in a low scoring 30 over game versus Whitland.

This time Bedminster's Leon Watkins played for the home side top scoring batting at number 11 with a run a ball 17 out of the 76 scored. 

Joe Cummins came off his sick bed to finish with 1 for 2 from 4 overs (3 maidens), but only Oscar Sullivan (10) and Will Harvey (21) got into double figures as Bedminster were agonisingly one short at 75 all out in the 23rd over.

Just like their older peers, the Under 14s got back to winning ways on the journey home, defeating Radyr by nine wickets.

For the Under 12s many of whom were touring for the first time, it was always going to be tough as they lost their first fixture against Clydach. 

The second fixture was a 12 man 35 over game against Pembrokeshire County.

Opening batsman Ben Britton (19) and tail-ender at No 12 Harry Lucas (20) top scored in the Bedminster score of 134 all out, with Jenson Mildon (14) the not out batsman.

Bedminster blew away their county opposition for 91 with Cody Pullin (3 for 4 in 1.5 overs) coming out from his keeping duties to remove D John, the only Pembrokeshire player to get into double figures with 31. 

A defeat against Bronwydd, but the yo-yo form continued as Bedminster bounced back to win against Hook in another 35 over game. Jake Smith 52 (retired) and George Martin (28) got runs in the total of 156for -6. Hook fell eight runs short on 148-7, including three run outs, two of which were from Tomas Hawkins. 

Kilgetty hosted the Under 12s’ penultimate match, and the home side posted 109 for 5 as Daniel Sledge 5took 2 for 5

Bedminster were all out for 82, Ben Britton again top scoring with 21.

The final game of the tour saw the Under 12s fall to a narrow defeat in Cardiff.

On the final day of their tour, awards and gift vouchers, for JPS Sports the clubs kit supplier and sponsor, were presented to the best tourer in each age for their contributions on and of the pitch. The winners were: Under 16 Max Tryfonos; Under 14 Danny Constable; Under 12 Tomas Hawkins. 

Tour manager Chris Giles, the coaches, scorers, and voluntary helpers were all thanked for their contributions.

In 2018 the club is planning a glamorous tour to Barbados. Fundraising is also underway for The Little Pink Gift Foundation, a breast cancer charity in Barbados. 

Batting (Runs/Highest Score):

U16 Max Tryfonas (208 / 82)

U14 Danny Constable (249 / 84) 

U12 Ben Britton (86 / 24)

Bowling (O-M-R-W):

U16 Shazil Butt (35-8-126-9)

U14 Owen Peacock (27-4-96-10) 

U12 Jake Smith (19-5-62-6)

Fielding (Catches / Stumpings) not all whilst keeping:

U16 Kruz Belcher (11 / 2)

U14 Zulk Butt (5 / 0)

U12 Cody Pullin (5 / 7)