Narberth (132-1) beat Hundleton (19 all out)

by 113 runs

This year’s Pembroke County Cricket Club Under 13 Junior League final was between the top two sides who came through the play-offs, with Hundleton beating Hook and Narberth beating Haverfordwest.

In the league game, Hundleton had beaten Narberth, but this was a different story.

Having appeared in the previous three finals, narrowly missing out, this experience proved invaluable for Narberth and told in the end as Hundleton, in their first ever junior final, were well beaten by their inspired opponents, who produced a fine performance with both bat and ball.

Hundleton won the toss and invited Narberth to bat. The opening bowlers of Iori Humphreys and Ben Callen tried hard, but on the night had no answer to the Narberth openers of Shay Norcross 32* (7x4) and Olly Berry 30*, who were in fine form, especially Norcross, who drove, cut and pulled the ball to all parts of the boundary.

When they retired, Archie Hillier-Wood struck for Hundleton, having Jamie Goldsworthy caught by Adam Phillips. However, there was no let up, with Josh Lewis 30* and Will Nicholas 14 * carrying on the run feast.

Narberth ended on 132-1, a record score in this year’s under 13 competition.

Bowlers for Hundleton were Archie Hillier-Wood 1-27, Iori Humphreys 0-23, Ben Callen 0-25, George Davies 0-26 and Zac Jones 0-25

With a mountain to climb, the Hundleton batsmen went on the attack from ball one, but with opening bowlers Olly Berry and Jake Thomas bowling a good line and length, aided by some excellent catches by Norcross and Thomas, together with excellent wicketkeeping by Goldsworthy, they had no answer to the Narberth attack.

Berry 3-6 and Thomas 3-8 removed the top order and, with Olly Hough picking up three wickets in one over, aided by two more stumpings by captain Goldsworthy, Hundleton quickly collapsed to 19 all out, with Josh Lewis picking up the last wicket.

This left Narberth as deserved winners for an excellent all-round team performance

In the presentation after the match, Martin Jones (Junior organiser) thanked Cresselly Cricket Club and their groundsmen, especially Richard Arthur and Dennis Chiffi, for the hard work they had put in to producing an excellent surface; umpires Dennis Chiffi and Allan Hansen for the way they conducted the game, especially during a shower of rain; and scorers Mark Williams and Richard Howell.

He also thanked Colin John, of Llewellyn Davies & Co Accountants, league sponsors, for his valuable and continued support.

He congratulated both sides on getting to the final, with both being a credit to themselves, their clubs and coaches and the way the game was played in a competitive manner, but in an excellent spirit and with good sportsmanship.

Although Hundleton would have been disappointed on the night, it was great to see them in their first Junior final, with many more to come

The plaques and shields were presented by Paul Webb, county chairman, in the absence of Colin John, who had a family engagement.

Captain of Hundleton, Iori Humphreys, picked up the runners-up trophy, donated by Cyril and Betty Venables, and for Narberth, captain Jamie Goldsworthy collected the winners trophy, donated by Sport and Leisure .

Hundleton: Iori Humphreys, capt, Archie Hillier-Wood, Ben Callen, Zac Jones, Adam Phillips, George Davies, Harry Llewelyn, Tom Cabot, Morgan Davies, Travis Mathias, Dylan Evans. 12th men - Tom Callan, George Jones and Josh Smith.

Narberth: Jamie Goldsworthy, capt, Josh Lewis, Shay Norcross, Olly Berry, Will Nicholas, Jake Thomas, Mckenzie Mcdonald, Elliot Evans, Zach Thomas, Olly Hough, James Morgan. 12th men - Harry Harries, Lewis Reid, Mathew Cockwell, Josh Simpkins and Jaden Scourfield.