Narberth spring a giant-killing shock

 

Narberth (143 for 9) beat Saundersfoot (137 for 8) by 6 runs

 
Venue: Lawrenny Cricket Club (Which looked in immaculate condition!)
 
Umpires: Chris Stapleton & Rob Bellerby
Scorers: Richard Howell & Adge John
 
Narberth Cricketers certainly rose to the challenge as they enjoyed the underdogs label to beat Saundersfoot, most pundits’ choice to win this year’s Bowl Final, in a pulsating contest where the final margin of six runs showed how competitive a semi-final enjoyed by a large crowd who went in expectation of a typical semi and certainly weren’t disappointed as the winners achieved the ultra-rare feat of a second division side reaching the final.
 
And Narberth showed from the first ball that they weren’t there to make the numbers up after being asked to bat first and after three overs already had a tally of 46 as Shay Norcross came home from holiday and Saundersfoot wished he’d missed his flight as Loui Davies, no mug with quick runs himself, had just three runs to his name when he was bowled by Nick Cope in the fourth over.
 

Norcross departs and The Seasiders fight back

 
Norcross blitzed 11 boundaries as he reached his half century at the start of the seventh over before he was adjudged lbw to give Cope a second scalp – and the run rate inevitably decreased as Cope bowled his six overs, including a maiden for only 35 runs, as he also shifted a dangerous big hitter in Ben Hughes (four boundaries in his 18) and Llew Jones.
 
Giving him great support was Prashant Gautam, originally from Nepal, and bowling his six overs for a paltry 22 runs as he trapped No 3 and 4 batsmen Jamie McCormack, who already had three fours in his 19), and Lewis Hough. The Mansbridge brothers also claimed a wicket apiece, with John being savagely attacked by Norcross early on and Tom also bowling a maiden as his five overs produced only 21 runs.
 

Saundersfoot unable to make sizeable stands

 
There were also 23 extras to set The Seasiders a challenge but it was perhaps less than might have been expected after start a rampaging start – but credit went to Saundersfoot for not total caving in.
 
They have shown their ability to build big totals in previous cup ties this season but after losing Simon Stanford to Llew Jones were unable to find a batsman to stay and produce a sizeable score like Norcross.
 
Tom and John Mansbridge scored 13 and 18 respectively and Nick Cope shored things up with 29 when they lost wickets regularly to Ben Hughes (3-41) and Matthew Johns (2-27) and only skipper Yannic Parker (24 not out) and Danny Brace (a six in his 10 not out as he came in very late), with 20 runs from ‘Extras’ also helping them remain in contention – but having to wait for the Duggie Morris Cup to make an appearance in a top final this campaign!

 

SCORECARDS:

Narberth Batting:
Loui Davies b Nick Cope 3
Shay Norcross lbw b Nick Cope 54
Jamie McCormack b Prashant Gautam 19
Lewis Hogh b Prashant Gautam 2
Kyle Williams b Tom Mansbridge 9
Ben Quartermaine ct Nick Cope b Tom Mansbridge 0
Ben Hughes b Nick Cope 18
Jack Tucker run out 7
Llew Jones b Nick Cope 7
Lewis Jones not out 0
Matthew Johns run out 1
Extras  23
Total (9 wickets) 143
 
Saundersfoot Bowling:
John Mansbridge 5-0-51-1; Nick Cope 6-1-35-4; Prashant Gautam 6-0-22-2; John Mansbridge 5-1-21-1
 
Saundersfoot Batting:
Tom Mansbridge lbw b Loui Davies 23
Simon Stanford ct Jamie McCormack b Nick Cope 3
John Mansbridge b Matthew Johns 18
Nick Cope ct Loui Davies b Ben Hughes 29
Scott Helmich ct Shay Norcross b Ben Hughes 6
Gareth Edwards b Ben Hughes 7
Yannic Parker not out 14
Jack Franklin run out 5
Louis Treadaway-Williams b Matthew Johns 2
Dan Brace not out 10
Extras 20
Total (8 wickets) 137
 
Narberth Bowling:
Ben Quartermaine  1-0-12-0;  Llew Jones 4-0-36-0; Loui Davies  1-20; Matthew Johns 2-27; Ben Hughes 3-41