Cresselly won the Harrison-Allen Bowl final at Cresselly in defeating Lawrenny by 25 runs. It was an entertaining contest of fluctuating fortunes which maintained the interest of spectators.

Lawrenny captain Joe Kidney won the toss and made the tactical decision to invite Cresselly to bat.

It was a brave move as Lawrenny started the game without key man Brad McDermott Jenkins who had been unable to get to the ground before the game had started.

He had been on a charity walk undertaking “the Three Peaks challenge” with other members of his family.

Delays in his return to Pembrokeshire from North Wales resulted in him missing the entire Cresselly innings, so Lawrenny were a man short in the field.

Despite the early departure of opener Dan Sutton, Cresselly built up and then raced to a mammoth total of 194-3.

Adam Chandler anchored one end when firstly Iwan Izzard with a quick fire 23 and then Dan Cherry with 18, moved the score along.

When Alex Bayley came to the crease the run rate accelerated. The well built right hander was particularly strong on the front foot and he peppered the area between wide long on and wide long off with boundaries.

He went on to score a powerful 79no and reached his 50 off just 25 balls with seven fours.

When settled at the crease Chandler unleashed his full repertoire of strokes to score 57no in an unbroken partnership, after batting throughout the Cresselly innings.

Lawrenny suffered a dreadful start and were reduced to three for three by off spinners Mike Shaw and Ryan Lewis.

Opener James Phillips found a willing ally in left hander Harry Thomas.

The pair featured in a third wicket partnership of 92 to put the Lawrenny total within 48 runs of Cresselly’s 194.

Phillips was run out after scoring 34, while Thomas went on to score an attacking 70 which gave Lawrenny an outside chance of staying in the game.

Shaw, Lewis and Cherry each took two of the wickets to fall.

Cresselly were unable to repeat their first innings scoring rate as Lawrenny had a full team on the field, the gap had been plugged and the bowling was more controlled.

Dan Sutton and Adam Chandler had an opening partnership of 66, as Sutton scored 38 and Chandler 21.

On their departure Dan Cherry exuded class in his innings for 48no as he steered the Cresselly total to 149-6.

Brad McDermott Jenkins was not only on the field but played a vital part in taking out the early and middle order with his 3-29 and Harry Thomas took 2-30 insupport.

Lawrenny needed 198 to win. Could it be done?

Once again the innings started rather disappointedly and supporters were losing heart on 38-4, despite a spirited 21 from Steve Lewis.

The lower order flourished as firstly Joe Kidney with a captain’s knock of 48 and Brad McDermott Jenkins with a fighting 52no came to the rescue.

The pugnacious Kidney soon revived spirits amongst the Lawrenny supporters and entertained others with his innings which was punctuated by five big sixes.

Could Lawrenny turn the game around?

Although Dan Sutton bowled Kidney for 48, Brad McDermott Jenkins maintained hopes of a turn around with another attacking 52no.

He plundered 21 runs off the penultimate over for Lawrenny supporters to dream of victory.

However, although well supported by Jamie Lewis, he ran out of overs as the Lawrenny innings came to an end on 173-9.

Dan Sutton finished with 4-40, whilst Mike Shaw and Tom Arthur picked up two wickets apiece.

Presentation

Ceremony

In a break with tradition, the post match presentation ceremony was held in front of the Cresselly clubhouse, instead of the pavilion, so that more spectators could watch it.

County Club chairman Paul Webb congratulated both teams on reaching the final and Cresselly for winning the competition.

He thanked head groundsman Richard Arthur and the rest of the Cresselly ground staff for their efforts in preparing the pitch, which produced such good cricket.

In addition he thanked the umpires and scorers for the way in which they carried out their duties, the ladies who had provided such an excellent tea and Richard Merriman and Richard Scriven for operating the excellent public address system.

He also thanked Mr. Hugh Harrison-Allen for sponsoring the tea as he does each year, and the competition sponsors, Thomas Scourfield and Sons for their invaluable financial support.

He added that he was most grateful to all the members of the County Executive Committee for their work in connection with the final plus the local media for their cricket coverage.

He also thanked the supporters of both teams and spectators for their attendance and support.

Mr Hugh Harrison-Allen presented the magnificent Harrison-Allen Bowl to a delighted Neilson Cole, the Cresselly captain, and he presented winners’ medals to each member of the Cresselly team.

Mr. Michael Scourfield, of Thomas Scourfield and Sons, presented runners-up medals to Joe Kidney and the Lawrenny team.

He also presented commemorative medals to the umpires Alan Hansen and Stephen Blowes, together with medals to the two scorers, Teagan Cartwright, of Cresselly, and Malcolm Thomas, of Lawrenny.

Adjudicators Hywel Gibbs and David Gibbs nominated Cresselly batsman Alex Bayley as the man of the match.

Joint adjudicator Hywel Gibbs listed other good performances, before stating that Alex Bayley had been chosen for his excellent batting in the Cresselly first innings which had taken the game away from Lawrenny.

Alex Bayley was presented with the John Cole Memorial Man of the Match Trophy by Glyn Cole, the son of the trophy donor.

Controversy

There was some controversy at the final about the pop music played between overs and other playing breaks over the public address system.

Some were concerned about the music itself and others about the volume.

Predictably, the consensus view amongst the over 50s was negative and the Jury was out amongst the under 50s.

Apart from the supporters of teams in the final, there are neutral supporters who like watching a good game of cricket.

The majority of spectators were genuine cricket fans, with an in-depth knowledge about the game. Many found the music distracting or even annoying, as it was difficult to discuss the game with other spectators.

The view of those in favour was that it was an addition to the entertainment element and provided something to listen to, when there was no cricket to watch.

Clearly this is something which the executive Committee of the County Club will have to discuss after obtaining the views of member clubs, vice presidents and members.

Some sort of compromise could be the answer.

The more spectators attending all finals the better the atmosphere and the County Club does not want to upset the neutral spectators who attend the Harrison-Allen final each year.