Harrison-Allen Bowl Final Preview 2025:

 

1. Toby Hayman (Burton batsman):

 
I have to go for Neyland because although they are not as strong as they were it depends who turns out to play. In Sean Hannon they have a top captain and Ross Hardy is in great form. Dai Davies is very consistent and Paul Murray is due a big score.


Narberth have outstanding players in Loui Davies and Lewis Hough, some real battlers in Ben Hughes and Ben Quartermaine (I see he is back playing) so I wouldn’t dismiss Narberth – but they are not used to batting two innings so that could also play a part.
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
 

2. Dai Davies (President, Llangwm Cricket Club):

 
I always like to see underdogs win (God knows we are underdogs in the league now!) but I think Neyland will have the edge. It is a huge day if it is your first appearance and I think there are only a couple of Narberth players (like Matthew Johns) who have experienced it – whilst at least a lot of Neyland players have been in eight finals and won most of them so I have to go for them.
 
Mind you, they might have used up their ‘Get out of jail’ card against Tish in the semi-final but it is two innings each so I can’t see them making the same mistakes twice.
 
 
 

3. Tom Arthur (Cresselly captain):

 
Neyland must start as favourites because they have so much experience, and the likelihood that key players will return for the big day, which is hard for those they replace but I would usually do the same, if I’m honest. Narberth have some ‘Big match players’ but I wonder if they have enough of them. Neyland have the cricket brains of Sean Hannon, Andrew Miller, and Paul Murray, who could go big if he gets a good strt. It’s all about getting a good start for Neyland and I hope they have a great day in the final!
 
 
 












4. Lee Summons (Johnston all-rounder and ex-Haverfordwest player):
 
I’d back Neyland but I think it might be a lot closer that people think. Narberth will hopefully be back in the first division next season and have some very good players – but might slightly lack the strength in depth that Neyland have: although they have dangerous players in Shay Norcross, Lewis Hough and Loui  Davies.
 
 
 
 
 











 

5. Shaun Whitfield (Carew all-rounder):

 
I have to go for Neyland, if they are able to field their strongest team, although there seems to be some doubt about who is available - and skipper Sean Hannon might be unlucky to miss the final too.
 
Ross Hardy seems to have come back into good form at the right time and Paul Murray is due runs so they could play key roles, whilst Narberth skipper Loui Davies could be vital for his side, especially over two innings, which is new to them!
 
 
 
 











 

6. Ollie Davies (Llangwm captain):

 
Neyland must start as favourites because they know how to win games they should have lost, like the semi-final against Tish, and that counts in a final. They have lost some important players, which makes them vulnerable, and Narberth showed they can take on anyone if they are on top form, as they showed when they caused an upset by beating Saundersfoot.
 
 
 
 










 

7. Steve Blowes (Pembroke County Cricket Club Hon Secretary):

 
As the county club secretary, I wish both teams a great day out and would simply ask they play the game in the right spirit that matches the importance of the occasion. Neyland start as favourites and Narberth are underdogs but both have the chance to win this coveted trophy - and I hope that supporters of both teams play their part in making it an occasion to remember!
 
 
 
 

8. Kristan Bennett (Herbrandston veteran all-rounder):

 
I think that Narberth could spring a surprise in the final, if they can stay very close in the first innings and then utilise their talents to the full after tea. Neyland might be able to recall experienced players but they haven’t been playing and that could play a part. They will also hope that Sean Hannon will be fit because he is one of the best captains in the county but I think Jamie McCormack, Lewis Hough and Ben Hughes will help Narberth to an underdog win!
 
 
 
 

9. Adge John (Saundersfoot Scorer):

 
In my time I have played for and against Narberth and have met some great characters in both roles, some of whom are still around to savour this moment like Gary Hughes and Mike Johns, both great servants of the club. But on this occasion, I have to go for Neyland because it is played over two innings and I can’t believe that players of the calibre of Ross Hardy, Paul Miller and Dai Davies will fail twice. There is apparently some debate about who might/might not be available for Neyland but most of their players have been there before and I think will swing the final in the favour – but it could be closer than we think!
 
 
 
 
 








 

10. Rob Williams (Lawrenny stalwart fast bowler):

 
I think that Neyland will win unless they under-perform but I know what it is like to start a final as underdogs and then lift the Bowl so I would say to Narberth to just get stuck in from the start and play their hearts out for their club. Both teams have their special match-winners so it could all be about one special performance on the day - someone who grabs a century or take a shed-full of wickets!
 
 
 
 

11. Nick Daley (Pembroke Dock all-rounder):

 
We haven’t been lucky enough to make it to a final but who knows, one day, perhaps! It’s nice to see a second-division team in the final so my heart says I hope they can cause an upset and win. We have played in finals where it is two innings apiece and found it very tiring after tea so that is something that Narberth will have to overcome - So I have to go for Neyland because of their far greater experience.
 
 
 
 

12. Ed John (Whitland Batsman)

 
I suspect I’ll be in a minority but I think this could be the year of the underdog after so many of the so-called top teams were drawn against each other in the early rounds, It could have been two teams from the second division but Tish somehow blew their chance against Neyland.
 
They are still a strong team but don’t underestimate Narberth with players of the calibre of Lewis Hough, Loui Davies, Ben Quartermaine, Ben Hughes and Matthew Johns involved, much will depend on who plays for Neyland but some of them could be ‘ring-rusty’ and might not go well on the day!
 
 
 
 





 

13. Simon Cole (Cresselly all-rounder):

 
Normally I wouldn’t hesitate to pick Neyland because of their strength in depth and experience but this season is different because there are so many ifs and buts about who they will have available, especially since they now also have influential captain Sean Hannon with a dislocated shoulder.
 
If the likes of Loui Davies and Jamie McCormack can bat well twice and get support from the experienced Ben Hughes and Matthew Johns with the ball then we might have an upset but I still think Neyland’s previous experiences at finals will pay off!
 
 
 





 

14. Jamie Phelps (Hook veteran all-rounder):

 
It’s going to be a huge day for both clubs, with Neyland having been there so many times and with only a few Narberth old-timers having had that experience - and feeling the difference of playing in front of such a big crowd for two innings each.
 
I have to go for Neyland if I was betting my last fiver, especially if Ross Hardy fires on all cylinders, and I wouldn’t mind seeing an underdog come through - and perhaps it is time for that to happen!
 
 
 
 








           
     15. Jake Merry (Haverfordwest all-rounder):
 
Neyland are a very experienced team at this level, although I think Narberth will push them all the way if their top players  like  Louis Davies, Lewis Hough and Ben Quartermaine play well over the two innings perform. But if Sean Hannon is able to play alongside Ross Hardy, Paul Murray and Ashley Sutton I still think they will win The Bowl!
 
 
 
 










 
 16. Richard Reed (Llanrhian Batsman):
 
For the first time in years when Neyland reach the Bowl final they are perhaps only marginal favourites against a strong, relatively young Narberth side who are expected to push them close. Based purely on the experience of the day, I would expect to see Neyland get over the line – just!