page revision date : 20th July 2010
Harrison Allen – Who will win the Bowl this year?
Much is made every year of factors that could affect the destination of the coveted Harrison-Allen Bowl but this season there seems to be even more things that could decide whether it rests in Carew or Haverfordwest.
The Blue Riband event of Pembrokeshire Cricket is now sponsored by Thomas Scourfield and Sons and the formation of the teams seems to be not quite so clear-cut as in other seasons because both camps have a few selection posers and it might not be until they arrive at Cresselly that we finally know who is playing and who just misses out. At the moment the odds seem slightly in favour of Carew and my friend the local bookmaker was making them favourites at 4-6, with the Town on 7-4 to take the silverware – but you could get 66-1 on the tie!
Carew are the top side
Carew have certainly looked the better team overall because they sit proudly atop the league division one table, unbeaten after 13 games and with a healthy lead of 27 points from neighbours Cresselly, with Haverfordwest in fifth place and a massive 75 points behind their opponents.
But this is Harrison-Allen Bowl cricket and both sides will say that league tables have no place in the reckoning, especially since Carew and Haverfordwest are battle-hardened in the competition – and have a long-standing mutual respect for each other.
Big hitters aplenty
What is certain is the fact that both sides have big hitters aplenty, with Ian Sefton, Robbie Hicks, Tim Hicks, Brian Hall, Rhys Davies and skipper Phil Jones in that category for Carew alongside stroke-makers like Nick Scourfield and Simon Wood. Haverfordwest have Simon Holliday, Karl Rhead, Jonathan Strawbridge, Phil Kirkby, Dan Field and Adam James who can score very quickly whilst, Dai Davies and Ben Field can also score heavily but the absence of Danny Potter is something of a blow.
Balanced bowling attacks
Each team has a balanced bowling attack as Carew have the right-arm pace of Rhys Davies and Tim Hicks, plus the left armer Scott Helmich, with Simon Wood as an excellent swing bowler and Ceri Brace as their leg-spinner, whilst Ian Sefton can bowl and Tom Davies is also very useful. The Town have pace from Adam James, Josh Wilment, Phil Kirkby, Dai Davies and possibly Avron Roulston, with spin twins Nick Dyer and Clive Tucker sure to play key roles, whilst Simon Holliday also bowls slow left-arm stuff.
Strong fielding teams – and a new fence to sit on!
There are good wicket-keepers as Haverfordwest skipper Huw Scriven holds an edge over Aled Griffiths or Tom Scourfield at the moment – and two teams which pride themselves on their fielding prowess.
For once I find it impossible to pick a winner so I shall just sit comfortably on my new fence but it should add up to a great match – so get along to Cresselly and watch them on Saturday, 31st July!
. . . to Team, Umpire & Scorer Pen-pics
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