Venue: Imble Lane, Pembroke Dock
 
Umpires: Huw Simpkins & Simon Richards
Final scorers: Chris Holder & Richard Howell
 
Last season’s T20 finals were ruined by the weather but organiser Craig Butland was determined that they had to take place and his resolve was rewarded last weekend when both semi-finals were held and then Hook Black Diamonds comfortably beat the Narberth Barmy army in the final, to retain the silverware,  after just edging through earlier on in an epic battle with the Herbie Hurricanes from the very last ball of the game as Narberth earlier accounted for host club Pembroke Dock Fire.
 
It was a tribute to Craig because in between last year’s disappointment and the matches being played last weekend he not only had his work and sporting interests to keep him busy he also became the proud father of triplets, so congratulations to him and his fiancé Ellie Davies.
 
Mia, Isla and Elsie are now six months old and Craig is totally involved in their development - so his reorganisation of this event was all the more praiseworthy and the four teams, umpires and scorers produced a fitting occasion that was well supported by all four clubs.
 
 

Semi-Final One:

 

Barmy Army fire on all cylinders

 

Pembroke Dock Fire (109 for 8) lost to Narberth Barmy Army (112 for 2) by 8 wickets

 
The Fire started well enough as they scored 35 for the first wicket but then slumped to 39 for 3 and after that no-one was able to really take the innings by the scruff of the neck - but Euan McDonald (18), Lewis Scourfield (13), Rhys Daley (17) and Tom Grimwood (12 not out) did make useful contributions along the way.
 
For The Barmy Army, Matthew Johns (3 for 9) and Tim Webb (3 for 17) bowled their slow stuff really well, supported by Lewis Jones (1 for 25.) and Ryan Williams (1 for 12) - and then their batsmen went on the attack from the outset, thanks to Shay Norcross (2 sixes and 2 fours in a speedy 21) and top scorer Loui Davies (nine boundaries and a six in an even quicker 46 not out).
 
They lost Jamie McCormack (5), who has been in a rich run of form, but it mattered little because Lewis Hugh belted three fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 29 and The Barmy Army were good value for victory with wickets and runs to spare!
 
 

Semi-Final Two:

 

Black Diamonds just edge a last-ball thriller

 

Herbie Hurricanes (167 for 8) lost to Hook Black Diamonds (171 for 7) by 3 wickets

 
The second semi-final proved to the game of the day as Nathan Banner inspired The Hurricanes
to a huge total of 167 for 8 but such is the strength of The Black Diamonds’ batting that they were always in contention and held their nerve to edge home in a very tense finale.
 
Banner stroked 10 boundaries and 3 big sixes in his quality innings, ably assisted by Dean John (a buccaneering 47 that included 3 fours and 4 sixes, after they had lost in-form young run-getters Charlie Malloy and Harry Nicholas with only 17 on the board - and another talented teenager in Dillon Lewis contributed 10 not out at the finish.
 
Aled, Rhys and Owen Phelps all claimed a wicket each for The Black Diamonds alongside Callum James as Harry Makepeace (2 for 28) and Wayne Griffiths (2 for 7) were the pick of their attack.
 
Hook then got off to just the start they needed via Liam Miller (36) and George James, who looked the best batsman overall on the finals day and finished with a boundary-laden 63. They found support from Aled Phelps (26) and Callum James (16) as Karl Davies (3 for 18), Nathan Banner (3 for 26) and Rhys Power (1 for 9) were the Hurricane’s wicket-takers as fortunes ebbed and flowed before Hook took the verdict!
 
 
 

T20 2024 Final:

 

Black Diamonds look polished as they complete a deserved double

 

Hook Black Diamonds (237 for 5) beat Narberth Barmy Army (165 for 9) by 72 runs

 
After the tension of the semi-final there was a slight air of anti-climax for the final as Hook batted first and built a formidable score of 237 for 5 and Narberth were behind the clock, even when Llew Jones came in and did some big late hitting to close the gap a little.
 
Hook lost the key wicket of Liam Miller early on but George James certainly led the way with some powerful stroke play in his might innings of 78 that included seven fours and five sixes - and Aled Phelps matched him all the way with 13 boundaries in his terrific 69 as this deadly duo put on 144 together.
 
Rhys Phelps also chipped in with 25 not out alongside Jacob Lay, who was run out in the final over as this pair maintained their team’s excellent running between the wickets alongside the ability to punish anything loose – and The Barmy Army conceded 33 extras as the pressure told.
 

Pressure too much for The Barmy Army

 
Needing almost 12 runs per over was always going to be a huge ask and Narberth lost key run makers Loui Davies and Shay Norcross with only 11 runs on the board as Callum James removed them both.
 
They could only must 64for 5 wickets at the half-way stage, despite the efforts of Jamie McCormack (20), Lewis Hough (14), Rhodri Dyer (19) and Ryan Williams (18) to try and redress the balance because Hook fielded so well after those early successes.
 
Llew Jones joined the fray at No 9 and belted an undefeated 31 (three fours and a six) but by then it was all over bar the presentations as Aled Phelps (1 for 23), Callum James (2 for 27), Rhys Phelps (2 for 30), Owen Phelps (2 for 25) and Harri Evans (2 for 26).
 
Competition organiser Craig Butland presented the cup to successful Hook skipper Bradley Flood, with George James presented with the man of the match award and Barmy Army bowler Matthew Johns receiving his trophy for his four wickets in the two games.
 
All the players received excellent mementoes and so did final umpires Chris Holder and Richard Howell, plus umpires Huw Simpkins and Simon Richards -  and it was very pleasing to see all Craig Butland’s hard work come to fruition, with this year’s competition still to look forward to!