Division Two cricket: Pembroke (153 for 9) drew with Hook (230 for 8)

Hook had the better of the top-of-the-table clash with Pembroke at Treleet, outscoring their opponents in a draw which keeps them top in the early chase for promotion.

Hook lost Brennan Lay early on but then continued their excellent form with the bat.

Jamie Phelps and Mick Haltam shared a stand of 118 runs before Pembroke brought on veteran pace man Kevin Jenkins as their sixth bowler and he removed both.

Chunky opener Phelps top-scored with another fine knock of 77 (nine fours and a six) and the powerful Haltam belted six fours, falling just one run short of a half century.

There was also useful support from Martin Rowlands (27) and Ben Field (24) in a stand of 53 which helped Hook fly past the 200 mark and eventually reach a huge 230 for 8.

Jenkins finished with creditable figures of 4 for 32 and the equally venerable Gwyn Griffiths supported well with 2 for 38.

Matthew Holder, Johnny Palmer and Keith James made sure that Hook pinned Pembroke behind the required high run rate although Matthew Mitchell, Phil Hay and Huw Davies all made useful contributions.

Andrew Thomas was the pick of the Hook attack with 3 for 16, but Kevin Jenkins showed what an asset he still is for the home side, following up his accurate bowling with 34 not out.

He made sure that Pembroke didn't lose, although Hook picked up 15 more points as a result of their huge batting tally.

Pembroke were sponsored by Llanion Signs.

HOOK B. Lay ct M. Mitchell b G. Griffiths 8 J. Phelps ct + b K. Jenkins 77 M. Haltam b K. Jenkins 49 M. Rowlands b G. Griffiths 27 B. Field lbw b K. Jenkins 24 P. Griffiths ct B. Evans b K. Jenkins 3 M. Holder run out 1 A. Thomas run out 7 K. James not out 8 J. Palmer not out 1 Extras 25 Total (for eight wkts) 230 BOWLING: Griffiths 12-3-38-2; P. Phillips 4-0-25-0; D. Scourfield 7-1-34-0; M. Fletcher 10-2-51-0; A. John 5-0-35-0; K. Jenkins 7-0-32-4.

PEMBROKE M. Mitchell b M. Holder 22 B. Evans ct B. Lay b J. Palmer 11 M. Fraser ct M. Rowlands b K. James 5 D. Scourfield b J. Palmer 6 P. Hay b K. James 22 H. Davies st M. Rowlands b M. John 24 K. Jenkins not out 34 G. Griffiths b A. Thomas 9 P. Phillips b A. Thomas 5 A. John b A. Thomas 2 M. Fletcher not out 0 Extras 13 Total (for nine wkts) 153

BOWLING: M. Holder 12-2-33-1; J. Palmer 8-2-30-2; A. Thomas 10-3-16-3; K. James 9-1-29-2; M. John 3-0-23-1; J. Phelps 3-0-13-0.