Cresselly 2nds cruise through in local-derby

Alec Colley Cup Semi-final:

Cresselly 2nds (154-4) beat Carew 2nds (123 all out) by 31 runs

Umpires: Arthur Brady & Allan Hansen

Scorers: Des Brace & Mel Hicks

Venue: Lawrenny Cricket Club

Cresselly 2nds captain Matthew Lewis took 5 for 16, including a hat trick to finish matters, to lead his side into the Alec Colley Cup final as they beat neighbours Carew at Lawrenny last night.

It was Lewis who had opted to bat on winning the toss and then watched as openers Neal Williams and Mike Venables put on 53 for the opening wicket, the latter making 23 before falling to Kerry Waters (1 for 32).

Williams and Cole top the Cresselly batting

Williams went on to hit 35 (five fours) before he was dismissed by Iori Hicks (1 for 38), but at 70-2 the presence of Simon Cole then proved crucial as the No 3 shared a stand of 66 with Scott Arthur.

Cole top scored with 48 (six fours) before he was eventually clean bowled by Jacob Knox (1 for 45) and Arthur hit two fours and two big sixes in his 32, his knock ended by former teammate Sion Jenkins (1 for 34).

Lewis (4 not out) and Stefan Lewis (2 not out) then scrambled late runs as The Doves made 154 for 4 in 20 overs.

Carew build well via Richards and Hicks

The Carew reply started badly as opener Dai Rees (4) was bowled by Morgan Lewis, but captain Scott Richards and No 3 Robbie Hicks then gave their side hope as they moved the score to 46.

But when Richards (13) was bowled by Cole after two boundaries the tide turned, with the all-rounder also claiming the scalps of Morgan Grieve (2) and Haydn Shapcott (0) to take 3 for 29, leave Carew in bother at 55 for 4.

The crucial wickets of Hicks came when he holed out to Lewis off Lyn Richards, having made 33 (four fours), and then it was the Cresselly captain who took over.

Skipper Lewis seals success with hat-trick

He removed Jenkins (12) and had Iori Hicks (5) stumped by keeper Williams, and then from the final two balls of his fourth (17th) over dismissed Barry Evans (20) and trapped Rhys Grigg (0) lbw.

Then with the score on 123-8, with Jacob Knox cracking 27 not out (four fours), it was Lewis who clean bowled Waters from the first ball of the 19th over to grab a hat trick and send his side into the final.

The Doves play the winners of Neyland 2nds and Llangwm 2nds, who meet in Hook on Thursday.