Micky's Pembrokeshire
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PHOTO: Imble Lane Ground in Pembroke Dock looks a picture before Thursday evening's semi-final.
Harrison-Allen Bowl Semi-Final:
Saundersfoot suffer nerves in first semi-final with victorious Town
Haverfordwest (120 for 2)
beat Saundersfoot (118 all out)
Umpires: Alan Hansen & Rob Bellerby.
Scorers: Jayne Cole & Kevin Sykes.
Venue: Imble Lane, Pembroke Dock.
Haverfordwest showed all their depth of experience as they proved too street-wise for Saundersfoot and moved comfortably into the Harrison-Bowl Final as the Seasiders were left to reflect on a terrible start which ultimately ruined any hopes they had of success.
Saundersfoot skipper James Caine showed his team’s self-belief as they elected to bat first on a superb batting strip at Imble Lane, with an outfield resembling a bowling green, but after fewer than four overs their innings was in tatters as they stumbled to 5 for 3, and only one of those runs coming from the bat. Adam James steamed in to bowl Dan Trowers for a duck and James Caine was neatly stumped by opposing captain Huw Scriven at the other end without scoring – and then Ian Poole was caught behind by Scriven off James’ bowling for a single.
Determined fight back
It is to Saundersfoot’s credit that they didn’t completely buckle as Simon Wood and Nick Cope set about repairing the damage in a stand of 39 but they both fell within four runs of each other as Wood was well caught by Danny Potter off Tucker for 16 and Cope, who had played some lovely strokes that sped to the boundary, followed as he hit the ball to Adam James off Nathan Banner.
Simon Holliday joined the attack with his left-arm slow stuff and shifted Danny Caine and then Paul Mansbridge (14) and at 68 for 7 it seemed that Saundersfoot might be shot out for well under three figures. But Haverfordwest lost their tweezer grip for a short while as they somehow downed three catches in four deliveries and Phil Jones was joined by Jason Llama in a partnership of 35 before James came back to shift Llama and Holliday swept up the tail.
But The Town had conceded 40 runs, including six-hits by Yannick Parker and top scorer Phil Jones in his gritty 24 not out in the final four overs to give Saundersfoot the semblance of a chance, despite excellent bowling by Tucker (2 for 18) and Banner (1 for 19), as this pair conceded only 37 runs from their combined 12 overs.
Positive batting
Haverfordwest set out in a positive manner as Holliday stroked four boundaries in his 18 before he was trapped lbw by Simon Wood, who also bowled Danny Potter to leave The Town just a little shaky on 34 for 2. But then Ben Field was joined by Dai Davies and the innings really blossomed after both had been dropped from difficult chances. Their running between the wickets was exemplary and both punished the bad ball with such relish that they reached their target in only 15.5 overs.
Field had five fours and a big six in his 38 not out made at exactly a run a ball whilst Davies also finished undefeated on 38 with four fours and a six. It was entertaining stuff from Haverfordwest, who now face Neyland in what should be a cracking final at Cresselly, whilst Saundersfoot, although clearly dejected by defeat, will have learned from the experience and will surely feature again soon.
Scorecard:
Saundersfoot Batting:
Ian Poole ct Huw Scriven b Adam James 1
Dan Trowers b Adam James 0
James Caine st Huw Scriven b Clive Tucker 0
Simon Wood ct Danny Potter b Clive Tucker 16
Nick Cope ct Adam James b Nathan Banner 22
Paul Mansbridge ct Adam James b Simon Holliday 14
Danny Caine b Simon Holliday 5
Phil Jones not out 24
Jason Llama ct Danny Field 15
Yannick Parker st Huw Scriven b Simon Holliday 6
Dickie Parcell ct Nathan Banner b Simon Holliday 6
Extras 13
Total (all out) 118
Haverfordwest Bowling:
Adam James 5-0-37-3; Clive Tucker 6-0-18-2; Nathan Banner 6-0-19-1; Simon Holliday 4.5-0-36-4.
Haverfordwest Batting:
Simon Holliday lbw b Simon Wood 18
Danny Potter b Simon Wood 8
Ben Field not out 38
Dai Davies not out 38
Extras 18
Total (2 wickets) 120
Saundersfoot Bowling:
Danny Caine 3-0-17-0; Simon Wood 5-0-28-2; Dan Trowers 1-0-17-0; Dickie Parcell 4-0-24-0; Nick Cope 2.5-0-31-0.
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