Cresselly clinch a dramatic Ormond Youth win

Umpires: Trevor Evans and John Williams 

Scorers: Hazel Poole and Lauren Arthur

Man of the match: Oliver Richards (Cresselly) 

Venue: Carew 
 

Cresselly’s talented youngsters fought back to beat Kilgetty in a thrilling Ormond Youth Cup final that proved a superb advert for youth cricket in Pembrokeshire. 
 

After being 30 runs adrift at the half way stage, Harry Thomas’ side edged their way to 102 all out, thanks mainly to assured knocks from the captain himself (35) and Jack Coldsworthy (28 not out) – to set their opponents a tricky 73 to win. 
 

And it was a tense chase as Kilgetty reached 64-9 with just one over remaining, with man of the match Oliver Richards taking 4-12, before Max James was run out to spark big celebrations amongst the Cresselly players and supporters. 

It was Cresselly skipper Thomas who called right at the toss, but after electing to bat in seemingly good conditions, saw his side stutter to a modest 80-7 in their 20 overs. 
 

Indeed, it was Thomas himself who fell in the first over to Jack Parkinson (1-16), before Toby Poole (1-9) removed Oliver Richards to leave Cresselly 24-2. 
 

Opener Tom Murphy steadied matters as he hit two boundaries on his way to 25, while Tom Kinnear chipped in with 14. But Max Brindley took impressive figures of 3-7 in just two overs, and Jack Tucker (1-10) also bowled tightly to ensure Kilgetty kept on top. 

The Kilgetty reply got off to a solid start as openers Parkinson and skipper Kurtis Marsh put on 53 in 12 overs before the latter fell to Ed Hurle (1-30) for 18. 
 

Parkinson went on to make 40 (five fours and a six), and Toby Poole a quickfire 22 before the pair fell to Tom Kinnear (1-36) and Murphy (1-13) respectively. 
 

Cresselly skipper Thomas (1-18) removed Harry Phillips cheaply, but Jack Tucker (20 not out) helped his side to 110-4 in their 20 overs, a lead of 30 at the half way stage. 

Cresselly knew they needed quick runs in their reply but having reached 31-0 in the 7th over, a lead of just one 1 run overall, they were dealt two major blows as Parkinson (2-23) dismissed Murphy and Richards in consecutive balls – the latter for a golden duck. 
 

But Thomas then ensured his side maintained their run rate as he made 35, an innings that included three fours and a huge six over the Carew club house, before falling to opposite number Marsh. 
 

Indeed, Marsh then went on to produce the best spell of bowling of the game, ripping through the Cresselly middle order with figures of 5-13 to leave them struggling on 63-8, a lead of just 38. 
 

But Jack Coldsworthy then played a vital hand, making 28 not out (two fours and a six) to help take the total to 102 before running out of partners as Harry Phillips (2-4) rounded things off for Kilgetty. 

That left Marsh’s men needing just 73 for victory, but they were dealt an early blow in their run chase when Parkinson was bowled by Thomas. 
 

Marsh and Poole steadied matters but scored slowly, taking Kilgetty to 30-1 in 11 overs. 
 

That became 44-1 before Richards put his side in command, removing Poole for 16 before bowling Jack Tucker for a golden duck. 
 

Skipper Thomas (2-11) then dismissed Max Brindley for a duck and suddenly, 44-1 had become 44-4. 

Any remaining Kilgetty hopes seem to lie with Marsh, and he made 27 before becoming one of Richards’ (4-16) four victims. 
 

Murphy (2-5) then tilted the balance further in Cresselly’s favour with two wickets in the 17th over, before Kilgetty found themselves 64-9 in 19 overs, needing 8 runs off 6 balls for victory. 
 

But within one ball, it was all over as James was ran out and the dramatic Cresselly comeback was complete. 
 

Kilgetty meanwhile, can take heart from a display that bodes well for the future of the club, but will be disappointed to have slipped to a defeat after being in control at the half way mark. 

 

1 – Winner Cresselly

2 – Harry Thomas receives the silverware from Carew Cricket Club President June Cole

3 – Kilgetty skipper Kurtis Marsh during his side’s tense run chase

4 – Cresselly skipper Harry Thomas lifts the cup

5 – Oliver Richards received the man of the match award from final sponsor, Nick Evans

6 – Scorers Lauren Arthur and Hazel Poole