The Alan Brown Cup competition was initiated many years ago by the Pembrokeshire Association of Cricket Umpires for clubs who had their first teams playing in division three or below – and it quickly caught on and has now become the lower divisions’ clubs version of the Harrison-Allen Bowl Final.
 
The trophy was originally presented to the association in memory of former umpire Alan Brown and was originally used as a ‘fair play’ award for clubs the umpires regarded as showing good sportsmanship – but then someone had the idea to use it for a cup competition and in 1986 RAF Brawdy were in the inaugural winners.
 

Played for at Hook and then Whitland, with last season sandwiched in at Lawrenny

 
Played under the exact rules of Pembrokeshire Cricket’s Blue Riband competition the final was traditionally played at Hook for a number of years – and they firmly established the quality welcome that typified the event.
 
That continued when the big day transferred to Whitland, where Paul Webb and his family were outstanding hosts on what was always a magnificent playing surface as both sides enjoyed the chance to bat for two innings apiece.
 
Last season saw it switched to Lawrenny, who also did a great job, because the Whitland ground was closed for play, and they continued the tradition of providing a memorable day out for the teams.
 
So now the 2021 season hopefully sees the popular competition back at Whitland, where Bysiau Cwm Taf continue their generous sponsorship – and Llanrhian try to become the third team in its history to win the Allan Brown for a third successive year, following in the footsteps of Hundleton and Crymych – but they face tough competition from some strong teams!
 

First Round:

 

Laugharne v Crymych

 
Both teams have strong possibilities in this competition and have proved that with their regular final appearances whenever they have been outside the top two echelons of local cricket. Last season Laugharne finished up sixth in division three whilst Crymych came a disappointing eighth in the fourth division – and they could well be losing last season’s inspirational batsman Sam Kurtz.
 
They will be led by Richard Thorne, who clearly has played at a higher level in Hereford and in the last two seasons has scored over half of Crymych’s total runs – and he will be joined by the likes of Ioan Davies and Ollie Gouldstone, a character if ever there was one, and Osian Wyn, whose brother Rhydian will almost certainly miss out because he is working in The Gulf.
 
But they are hoping that Elgan Vittle and Alan Luke will be available so that they can return to former glory days when they shared the Alan Brown Cup in 1987 before winning outright in 1988 and then completing a treble in 1994, 1995 and 1996.
 
Amazingly, Laugharne have never won the trophy but appeared in the final last season before missing out to Llanrhian. Andrew Edwards is their experienced skipper and he will be have quality players like Shaun Lynch, Simon Davies, Carl Smith, James Ingleton and James Stephenson helping him out alongside talented teenage pace bowler Tyler Reynolds.
 
They are not renowned as the best travellers in the cup but have a home draw in this first round tie – and must start as slight favourites.
 








 

Johnston v Llanrhian

Johnston have never won the competition because most of their cricket has been played in the top two echelons but after relation from division two are now eligible for this year.
 
The Glebelands Gang have the impact play of big hitter Josh Hicks alongside his father Mark and brother Kurtis, with Gino Cleal and Chris Goodridge as key run-makers alongside Keegan Codd as a promising youngster.
 
Steve James and John Summons will still be available when needed as great club men and they could well be hoping that Leigh Walters and Gary James could make welcome returns
Llanrhian have won the trophy for the last two campaigns after a previous losing appearance in 2003 and under the guidance of Richard Reed will be seeking a hat-trick as Nigel Delaney and Anthony Couzens again join forces with Ben and Jack Jones, Paul Lewis and Billy Clark – and Rhys Dalling could well be a key player if he is available.
 
So will it be Johnston or Llanrhian to reach at least the semi-finals? I’d have to go for Johnston if they have a full team available but you can never under-estimate the boys from Llandigige Fawr!
 


 

Semi-Finals:

 

Hundleton v Johnston/Llanrhian

 
The winners of the latter game will then travel to Hundleton, who are the lowest-placed team in this year’s competition after just missing out on promotion from division five in 2019.
 
Coincidentally, though they can boast of most successes in the competition after sharing the trophy in 1987 before winning it for the first time in 1988 – and then won it in 1994, 95 and 96 when they had their strongest side as the Williams boys; Jonathan, Mark, young Phil and Steve were at their peak and Chris Stapleton was firing on all cylinders!
 
Now they have youngsters coming through like Steve’s son Steffan, Iori Humphreys and Ben Adams who are already serving them well – but somehow I think they could just miss out on a final appearance this season to Johnston!





 

Stackpole v Laugharne/Crymych

 
Stackpole were the other team to receive a first-round bye and they also have the advantage of a semi-final at home which forces either Crymych or Laugharne to make one of the longest journeys in local cricket!
 
They won the Alan Brown Cup in 2015, when they beat Crymych, and have come close on other occasions – and under the captaincy of Simon Bevan they will be looking for a good day out at Whitland after coming fourth in the third division in 2019.
 
They have lost  key players in George Smith andr Ewan McDonald but still have the big-hearted Richard McKay, who symbolises all that is good in the village club over a long period.
 
John Williams is a massive scorer on his day and they have other players capable of playing at a higher level in Lewys Gibby, Josh Davies and Mark Adie.
 
I’m quietly confident that this could be Stackpole’s year to reach the final – but only time will tell!
 
 

Final (to be played at Whitland) on Sunday, 4^th July 2021

 
I know, I know – I must be mad to trying to predict the cup winner of a competition which might not start for three months or so but it’s just a bit of fun on my part and I can live with my unjustified tag of being the county’s worst sporting tipster.
 
So I’m sorry if I jinx these two teams from such a long distance but my opinion is:
JOHNSTON TO BEAT STACKPOLE IN A HIGH-SCORING FINAL!