DESPITE two recent defeats at the hands of Pembrokeshire League Division Three promotion rivals Carew 2nds and Stackpole there is no panic in the Llechryd camp and a quick return to the Second Division after relegation last term is still top of the priority list.

A few games ago the Teifisiders were more than 40 points clear at the top but the defeats now means they share the leadership with Carew 2nds, 14 points ahead of Stackpole and Herbrandston.

Saturday’s cancelled game against Crymych at Glandy Cross due to the weather was the eighth fixture and there are now ten left for the villagers to achieve their aim.

The joint leaders start a ten-game countdown at the Castell Malgwyn ground this Saturday when seventh in the table Pembroke Dock provide the opposition before visiting fifth-placed Neyland 2nds. The following Saturday maximum points will be expected from the visit of bottom of the pile Hundleton then it’s another relegation-haunted side Lamphey at home before an away game against Herbrandston.

Llechryd club captain and all-rounder Rich Connolly suffered a fractured ankle playing for St Dogmaels towards the end of the football season and has not taken any part since the start of the season. He hopes to make a return within the next few weeks and in the meantime the side is being led by wicket-keeper Graham Keen.

The Teifi Valley high-flyers have been without key batsmen in recent weeks but the return of a full complement of personnel in addition to opening batsman Michael Carter who is home from university is cause for confidence within the camp.

Skipper Connolly said “It is not all doom and gloom – far from it. At the start of the season if you’d told me we’d be on top of the league after eight fixtures I would gladly have accepted it.

“There is a lot of cricket to be played and we are relishing the challenge,” he said.