Whitland 3rds beat Cresselly 3rds by 4 wickets in Division 5

Whitland 3rds are the early league leaders in Division 5 - but only after a great battle with an 'experienced' Cresselly 3rds on Saturday.

It was 50 from Sion Benjamin that eventually edged it the way of the Borderers, while Harri Jones also made a crucial 36.

The Doves arrived with a number of youngsters unavailable but boasted five players over the age of 60 as Philip James (60), John Arthur (70), Glyn Cole (65), Steve Davies (60) and Nigel Arthur (65) all played. John's son Damian and grandson Charlie (12) were also involved to make it a family affair.

And it was Arthur senior who helped his team to 132 all out inside 35 overs with 38 (six fours), sharing a stand of 66 with James who hit 34 (six fours). Opener Davies had earlier made 17.

For Whitland it was Wayne Jones who led the bowling with 3-10 in just four overs, while Gethin Benjamin (2-14), Jones (2-26), Harry Fuller (1-7) and Lewis Owen (2-19) took the rest of the wickets.

It was Benjamin and Jones who then played the crucial knocks to edge their side over the line by four wickets, with Charlie (2-15) and Nigel (2-27) Arthur, Cole (1-36) and Jenkins (1-7) taking the scalps for Cresselly.

The result means Whitland have five wins from five as they stay above second placed Hundleton, while the Doves lie in fourth.