Inaugural 'Aled Davies 100' is a huge success
Cricket’s newest formula arrived in Pembrokeshire with something of a bang at Carew as Lawrenny, Cresselly and a combined Hook/Llangwm team competed for the inaugural ‘Aled Davies 100’ competition in memory of Aled, which the home won after some cracking cricket, brightly-coloured kits, coloured kits, huge hitting, music aplenty, and a large crowd ready to cheer every eventuality to help create a day to remember.
Small wonder then that Aled’s immediate family of wife Wendy, children Hannah and Tom (and girl-friend Aimee), plus brothers Gari, Ceri and Lyn were all delighted as a large sum was raised for the newly-created fund in Aled’s name that will help others in cricket over future years.
Semi-Final One – Carew (147 for 8) beat Cresselly (104 for 4) by 43 runs
Umpires: Simon Richards & Jon Willington
Scorers: Julie Davies & Cerys Jenkins
Both teams understandably took time to settle into the new format but Carew began to build momentum after the early loss of skipper Shaun Whitfield for a single, caught by opposing captain Iwan Izzard off the bowling of veteran all-rounder Lyn Richards.
But Lewis Hicks was joined by Tom Davies, making a guest appearance in this family event, and they added 61 in good time, before Davies departed for 25, bowled by Tom Murphy (1 for 21 in his 20 deliveries.
Richards got involved again as he shifted Luke Hicks (12) and Tim Hicks (0) to finish with an excellent 3 for 20 from his 20 balls – but Dan James, Tom Arthur and Alex Bailey were a little more expensive from their similar stints without claiming a wicket as opener Lewis Hicks batted throughout the innings for a cracking 73 not out, including four fours and three huge sixes to help set up a competitive total of 147 for 8.
Cresselly skipper Izzard led his team’s response with 45 runs (two fours and a six) but was caught by Tim Hicks off Ceri Brace’s slow stuff but big-hitting Alex Bailey but Alex Bailey departed early and Dan James had two fours in his 20 in a partnership of 52 with Izzard, bowled by James Hinchliffe.
Neilson Cole had 13 not out and Stefan Jenkins 9 before he was bowled by Rhys Davies - and tight bowling and good fielding by all the Rooks’ team saw The Doves regularly behind the run rate and they had to settle for defeat on 104 for 4.
Semi-Final Two – Lawrenny (158 for 9) beat Hook (155 for 9) by 3 runs
Umpires: Gareth Brace & Dave Loosmore
Scorers: Hugh Griffiths & Jamie Phelps
The game on the Carew club’s second pitch also provided great excitement for spectators as Lawrenny built up a huge score which the talented young team from Hook and Llangwm, under the captaincy of Ollie Davies, almost chased it down but failed to score boundary off the final delivery of the 200 balls – and had to settle for pushing such a strong team all the way.
Leading the way for Lawrenny was an amazing innings from Kyle Marsh as he faced just 36 deliveries in scoring 95 runs that included seven fours and NINE big sixes that went soaring over the ropes before he tried for a tenth maximum and was well caught near the boundary by Aled Phelps off Toby Asson, who finished with a credible 3 for 31 haul.
James Phillips was next top scorer for Lawrenny with 21 and there were 19 extras as Joe Phillips (2 for 19) also bowled well for the combined side.
Such a huge total would have deterred some teams but Hook/Llangwm gave chase from the outset, with Jake Wicks belting two sixes in his 29 and Bradley Flood top scoring with six sixes in his 59 not out.
But Harry Thomas was the key Lawrenny bowler with 4 for 29 alongside Kyle Marsh, who was undoubtedly man of the match as he followed his big hitting with 3 for 19 that ultimately helped his side creep over the line to the final!
The 100 Final – Carew (147 for 5) beat Lawrenny (124 for 6) by 21 runs
Umpires: Simon Richards & Jon Willington
Scorers: Julie Davies & Hugh Griffiths
Carew batted first again in the final against Lawrenny played in front of a very large and supportive crowd from both camps and many others who had gone along to support such a great cause.
But on this occasion they were unable to make an explosive start as Lewis Hicks hit two boundaries but was bowled by Harry Thomas – and Tom Davies managed just a single before he was removed by Rob Williams.
When Tim Hicks departed for 18 as Williams’ second victim it left The Rooks a little shaky on 33 for 3 – but then a terrific partnership of 106 runs by Tom Scourfield and Rhys Davies certainly redressed the balance, with Scourfield belting five big sixes in his top score of 46 before he became the third Williams victim in a 3 for 30 spell.
Rhys Davies ended up on 34 not out (two fours and two sixes) and Shaun Whitfield applied the icing to the Carew cake with another four sixes before he joined Haydn Shapcott as late wickets for Kyle Marsh (2 for 31). It was a big six and out for Iori Hicks before he was run out in the final over but Carew must have been well pleased with what was a very good score.
Lawrenny’s hopes of reaching such a challenging target started off even worse than their neighbours as Tom Davies grabbed 3 for 21 and skipper Whitfield 2 for 14 to leave them in tatters at 26 for 5 before Harry Thomas batted really well for his 51 (four fours and three sixes) before giving a sharp return catch to Iori Hicks, who also removed Joe Kidney (10) in his 2 for 31 from 20 balls.
James Buckle ended undefeated on 17 but Lawrenny could still only muster 124 for 4 to leave Carew as worthy winners of this highly successful introduction to the new ‘100 format’ in memory of such of a genuine person and outstanding sportsman.
And finally . . .
Tom Davies told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk that his whole family were delighted and uplifted by such tremendous support and wished to thank the teams, umpires and scorers for taking part so readily.
He also thanked Gerald Hicks for the splendid trophy that he created, which was presented by his mother Wendy to winning skipper Shaun Whitfield, with Lawrenny’s Harry Thomas chosen as man of the match in the final.
Finally, Tom thanked the Gray Nicolls company for such eye-catching kits and all the local individuals and companies who sponsored them, plus Susan McKehon for her marvellous pictures that highlighted how wonderful the day had been for everyone involved!