Semi-Final 1:

 

Narberth ease through to their home final

 

Narberth (122 for 7) beat Carew (77 for 5) by 45 runs

 
Narberth eased through to their second-ever final of this their home competition in memory of a former club stalwart, reaching a decent score and then restricting Carew to a disappointing low final tally as Loui Davies and Ryan Williams bowled really well so that only Logan Hall ever looked settled in front of a good crowd at The Lewis Lloyd Ground.
 
It says much for Narberth’s battling qualities that they recovered from a poor start as Aaron Keane was bowled by Rhys Grigg for a duck with only four runs on the board and then Loui Davies, back from Australia and already exerting an influence in the first team, was run out by yards after a mix-up on 18 with Jordan Williams, making a contribution of only four runs when he was expected to go big with his depth of experience and skill levels.
 
Jordan Williams made amends, however, as he was Narberth’s top scorer on 32, including three fours and two sixes and although Rhys Grigg bowled Morgan Preece (3) in his excellent 2 for 22 spell the innings kept its momentum via Ryan Williams (17) and Shane Morgan 14, despite useful bowling by Ashley Lewis 2 for 38) and Logan Hall (2 for 19).
 
Narberth had reached 58 for 3 at the half-way stage of the innings and 82 for 6 with five overs left, from which 40 runs accumulated as Harri Evans was 25 not out and Mr ‘Extras’ chipped in with 21 runs in a useful, if not over-challenging 20 overs.
 
Carew’s hopes of a strong start were dented from the outset as they lost Dan Heaps, Jac Scourfield, Corey Hall and club chairman Steve Cole as Loui Davies (2 for 9) and Ryan Williams (2 for 13) wrought havoc – and only Logan Hall stood firm.
 
But runs were hard to come by and The Rooks were struggling on 28 at half way and had only reached 49 with five overs left.  Jamie Heaps raised the tempo a little and Logan Hall reached 3 before he was bowled by Loui Davies, having struck two fours and a six in his gritty 43, with Extras (14) the second highest scorer as they bowed out of the competition and the home side marched into the final.



 
 





 

Semi-Final 2:

 





 

Neyland big-hitting duo too much for Cresselly

 

Neyland (174 for 4) beat Cresselly (160 for 7) by 14 runs

 
Neyland set out their stall for a big total, despite the early loss of Rod Murphy (13) and Korey Arran (0), both to some canny bowling by teenager Lucian Thornton, - but then Scott John and Joe Campodonic took total charge in a partnership of 108 before ‘Campo’ departed for a hard-hitting 59 when he was run out.
 
John used his experience to good effect and was there until two balls before the end, when he was also run out, with a classy 74 to his name that took Neyland to a very challenging 174 for 4 that also included double figures by Leo Power and Eli Owen, plus 19 extras.
 
Cresselly needed a good start to gain a place in the final and openers Josh Lewis (27) and Lewis Mason (18) both fell to another talented teenager in Leo Power when they were close to a half-century stand together and there were other cameos by Ollie Rowlands (14) and Eli Owen (14) as experienced opener Tom Rowlands kept their innings together with his array of shots.
 
But the high run-rate needed meant that the bowling of Power (3 for 27) and  Josh James  (2 for 58) exerted an influence, with Cresselly skipper Neil Lewis (12) sportingly ‘walking’ when he was given ‘not out’ to a stumping claim by  James.
 
 The target was clearly going to be just too much for Cresselly but Rowlands Snr looked likely to reach a deserved half century but was caught and bowled by John Campodonic on 49 with Joseph Davies on 14 not out at the other end – and Neyland moved into the final but Cresselly could take consolation from the fact that they pushed the opposition all the way in a game that was a credit to both clubs.