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Whitland Youth break long-standing record
When Whitland Cricket Club Youth beat their counterparts from Fishguard and Goodwick in the Ormond Cup they beat a long standing-record record initiated by Carew as they gained their fifth consecutive win in the competition.
Carew had set the mark when they won the Ormond Youth Cup from 1967 to 1970 and Whitland matched that record in 2007 when they beat old rivals Llangwm, whom they had already three times before in the last decade, where Whitland have appeared in seven finals.
First success and narrow defeat
In fact, their first-ever success in the competition came in 1999 when they beat Llangwm and the following season saw Llangwm gain revenge by the narrow margin of two runs. Then there was a two-year gap before Whitland reappeared but lost to Llanrhian in 2003 – and the trophy has remained in Whitland’s possession ever since!
Amongst their winning captains have been Robat Jones, Edward John, Owen Edwards, Dan Newton and Jonathan Thomas, whilst Edward John, Owen Edwards, Mike Phillips and Jonathan Thomas have all picked up man of the match awards. Dan Newton holds the record for the most finals with Bobby Webb, Carl Smith Dan Rowlands and Alex Pickersgill.
Some Whitland stats
Interestingly, rugby players Phillips (Wales), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) and Aled Thomas (Dragons) have all represented Whitland in finals before going on to play top rugby, whilst Dylan Blain and Robat Jones went on to concentrate on their football at Haverfordwest County.
Most unfortunate player must be Rhydian Harries, who was not able to play in the 2003 final since he was playing cricket for Wales, whilst Mike Phillips, who had scored a heap of runs the season before, had two ‘golden ducks’ in the 2000 final – and both matches were lost.
Lucky escape and big day rituals
The luckiest escape for Whitland Youth undoubtedly came in 2005 when they entertained a very young Stackpole team and were fortunate to scrape a tie before winning the replay with ease and going on to beat Haverfordwest on the big day at Carew.
Colin John has done a superb job in coaching Whitland Youth throughout this amazingly successful time and it has become something of a tradition that David Lee assists as him on the day. Richard Merriman, the well-known umpire, has always been the team’s scorer and a real boost for the team has always been the wonderful support supplied by parents, whole families, and friends, all of whom have helped boost Carew CC’s coffers and enjoyed themselves. The pre-match ritual has been breakfast at the clubhouse, cooked by some of the mums, presentation of shirts and caps and then the bus journey to Carew. It is a plan of action which clearly works and it will be a sad day for all concerned at this vibrant club when it comes to an end, as it inevitably must – but Colin John and Co at Whitland CC are hoping that it won’t be for just a little while longer yet because the whole club enjoys their big day out in the Ormond Youth Cup Final at Carew.
Ormond Cup Final Details:
1999 – Beat Llangwm by 66 runs
Michael Phillips – 61 not out, 42, 1 for 20 and 1 for 27
Robat Jones – 23, 3 for 15 and 3 for 35
Hywel Bevan – 4 for 18 and 1 for 24
Dylan Blain – 25, 41, three stumpings and two catches
Bleddyn Evans - 3 for 12, 1 for 14
Man of the Match – Michael Phillips
2000 – Lost to Llangwm by two runs
Matthew Davies - 50, 32 and 1 for 17
Huw Devonald -1 for 12 and 2 for 16
Lee Glanville - 3 for 30 and 1 for 30
Dylan Blain – two first ball ducks
Man of the Match – Will Beresford (Llangwm)
2003 – Lost to Llanrhian by six wickets
Edward John 2- 29 and 1 for 18
Huw Devonald – 13 not out and 3 for 13
Jonathan Davies – 16 and 10
Rhys Bowen 34 not out
Tom Edwards – 2 for 28 and 1 for 1 for 8
Man of the Match – Gareth Davies (Llanrhian)
2004 – Beat Llangwm by eight wickets
Edward John – 63 not out, 33 not out and 1 for 20
Owen Edwards – 1 for 11 and 1 for 16
Nick Davies – 29, 2 for 22 and 3 for 27
Rob Merriman – 2 for 11 and 2 for 6
Man of the Match – Edward John
2005 – Beat Haverfordwest by six wickets
Jonathan Thomas - 44 not out
Bobby Webb – 17 and 1 for 15
Owen Edwards 61 not out, 20, 1 for 19 and 2 for 33
Jonathan Davies – 2 for 1
Carl Smith - 1 for 6
Dan Newton -1 for 9
Man of the Match – Owen Edwards
2006 – Beat Narberth by 46 runs
Bobby Webb – 52 not out, 4 for 37 and 2 for 31
Dan Newton – 26
James Davies – 15 and 3 for 5
Alex Pickersgill 18
Carl Smith 2 for 26
Iestyn Scourfield 14 not out, 23 not out, 1 for 23 and 2 for 28
Man of the Match – Kyle Quartermaine (Narberth)
2007 – Beat Llangwm by 48 runs
Jonathan Thomas 92 and 2 for 16
Bobby Webb 12 and 1 for 33
Scott Newton 22
Dan Newton 17
James Davies 21 not out
Alex Pickersgill 24
Carl Smith 4 for 14 and 1 for 14
Iestyn Scourfield 1 for 14
Man of the Match – Jonathan Thomas
2008 - Beat Fishguard and Goodwick by 8 wickets
Jonathan Thomas 52 not out, 31 not out, 1 for 29 and 2 for 24
Daniel James 1 for 20 and 1 for 8
Aled Davies 22, 54 not out and 1 for 18
Iestyn Scourfield 21, 1 for 31 and 1 for 24
Man of the Match – Jonathan Strawbridge (Fishguard)
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