A memorable Harrison-Allen Bowl final produced over 700 runs and a last over 10 runs win for Neyland as Cresselly were restricted to 203-9 chasing a winning target of 214.

In the first innings, Neyland scored 153-8 after all rounder Nathan Banner led the way with 46no, supported by 26 from Ashley Sutton and 20 by opener Paul Murray.

Daniel Cherry took 2-13 and restricted the run rate with his cutters, paceman Tom Arthur 2-28 and spinner Mike Shaw 2-40.

At the start of the Cresselly reply, opener Adam Chandler stroked his way to 44 from 30 deliveries and lower middle order all-rounder Daniel James chipped in with a brisk 30 to push Cresselly ahead of the run rate.

Although Phil Williams scored 27, some momentum was lost before Cresselly reached 153-9 as wickets fell in the desperate search for quick runs.

Nathan Banner took 4-39, Nick Koomen 3-34 and wrist spinner Andrew Miller bowled his three overs for just 16 runs and picked up one wicket in the process.

With scores tied at tea, spectators were thinking ‘here we go again’ after the dramatic semi-final against Haverfordwest when the result was decided by the super over after the scored had been tied on 188 apiece.

At the start of the Neyland innings, Daniel James gave Cresselly the ideal start by taking three quick wickets backed up by sharp fielding to reduce Neyland to 16-3.

Another wicket would have put the Neyland innings in tatters, but Paul Murray and Nick Koomen restored order and parity before adding 151 in a match turning partnership for the fourth wicket.

Murray had a superb knock of 85 before being well caught off the bowling of Mike Shaw, near the square leg boundary by Daniel Cherry who kept a cool head in the face of some unsettling barracking, which was stopped quickly by County Club officials.

In a breathtaking innings, Murray’s runs came from 45 balls with six sixes and seven fours and Nick Koomen scored 67 at the other end.

Nathan Banner maintained the pressure in his brief innings of 27 to take Neyland to a challenging total of 213-7.

James ended with figures of 3-43 and Sam Harts took 1-23 in five lively, but controlled overs.

With a mammoth target of 214, Cresselly got off the flying start with an opening partnership of 81 from Alex Bayley and Adam Chandler.

The first 50 came from only 23 deliveries.

Bayley’s attacking innings ended when he was well held by Patrick Bellerby off the bowing of Henry Durrant for 56 and Chandler scored 28.

Ryan Lewis plundered 28 runs from only nine balls to boost the run rate even further, but Cresselly needed 32 to win from the last two overs and 26 runs from the final over.

The Cresselly supporters remained optimistic with Cherry and Phil Williams at the crease. Daniel Cherry had started to open his shoulders, but hopes faded when Williams was run out from the fourth ball.

Cherry fell to a catch by Gregg Miller on the long off boundary for 54 off Nick Koomen from the fifth ball and Cresselly’s innings closed on 203-9.

Verdict

In a match of oscillating advantage, Neyland just about deserved to win.

Although there were times when both teams suffered at the hands of some destructive batsmen, Sean Hannon worked with his bowlers to vary their line and length.

Hannon sometimes used the tactics of bowling just short of a length outside off stump and was even brave enough to adopt a 7-2 field placing at times.

Batsmen rarely got bogged down and generally maintained the require run rate.

Cresselly were not far behind, but occasionally failed to maintain the run rate and sometimes the bowlers conceded runs by persisting with full length balls when bowling to strong front footed batsmen.

Cresselly should not be too downhearted. The coveted Bowl may have slipped from their grasp, but Neilson Cole and his players still have their eye on some summer silverware in the Division One championship.

With four games left, Carew lead the table with 313 points and have fixtures against three of the top four teams in Neyland, Whitland and Carew. The other fixture is against out of touch Kilgetty.

Cresselly are 42 points behind on 271 points with fixtures against two of the top four teams in Whitland and Carew and the other fixture is against Johnston and Kilgetty, who are battling each other to avoid joining Pembroke in Division Two next season.

The last league match of the season for Carew and Cresselly could be a real cliff-hanger as Carew will be home to Cresselly in a game which could decide which club wins the title!

Presentation Ceremony

After the match, County Club chairman Paul Webb congratulated both teams on reaching the final and Haverfordwest 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 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 Sean Hannon, the Neyland captain, and medals were presented to both teams by Mr. Harrison-Allen.

Mr. Harrison-Allen also presented commemorative medals to the umpires Trefor Evans, of Whitland, and Tony Scourfield, of Carew, together with medals to the two scorers Teagan Cartwright, of Cresselly and John Laugharne, of Neyland .

Adjudicators Nick Evans and Richard Howell, of Narberth, nominated Neyland opening batsman Paul Murray as the man of the match.

Joint adjudicator Richard Howell mentioned other good performances before stating that Paul Murray had been chosen his excellent batting and his general contribution in the for the Neyland team.

Paul Murray was presented with the John Cole Memorial man of the match trophy by County Club president, Nick Evans, of Narberth.