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Lots of intriguing questions about to be answered!

This year's Harrison-Allen Bowl Final throws up an intriguing clash between Lawrenny, who lost in last year's final against Cresselly, and Haverfordwest, who have been one of the most successful sides in the competition over recent years.

This contest involves one of the up-and-coming teams in the county, with Lawrenny deservedly second in the league table and only just missing out on the DR Morris Cup, against a Haverfordwest team which is currently undergoing a rebuilding programme and perhaps more reliant on  a small number of very talented players whilst giving terrific limited-overs cricket to several youngsters.
 

Lawrenny come out on top in league matches

The Town sit in mid table and have been unable to string together a series of results after being on top early on - with a great reliance on the all-round performances of Simon Holliday, but more of that later.

When the teams met in Lawrenny in June the home team won by 10 wickets as they dismissed The Town for a paltry 81 and strolled home via Harry Thomas and Kurtis Marsh – followed by a three-wicket success in a recent low-scoring league tussle.

Haverfordwest were also being shot out for 57 at home to St Ishmaels whilst racing to 236 for 5 at home to Llangwm and 275 for 4 at Whitland, both with Holliday smiting big hundreds.
 

Key performances needed in both camps

And that is one of the problems Haverfordwest face because, as our pundits suggest, there is a reliance on his silken batting skills whilst ace run gatherers Danny Potter, Ben Field, Lee Summons and Mikey Jones have all had better seasons! Dai Davies's contribution could be a major influence since he is an accomplished run-maker with his ability to punish loose balls and speed between the wickets.

In contrast, there have been more regular contributions by Lawrenny via Marsh, Thomas, James Phillips and Steve Lewis - and Brad McDermott-Jenkins is due big runs alongside Phillips, who showed his big hitting in the DR Morris Cup Final after just one run in three previous games! Skipper Joe Kidney is another with immense potential in the batting stakes, as Haverfordwest remember in a DR Morris Cup Final!

In the bowling stakes Rob Williams stands out for Lawrenny and has great support from the under-rated Jamie Lewis, teenager Ryan Morton and McDermott-Jenkins, alongside Marsh and Thomas as added bonuses.

Adam James heads the Haverfordwest bowling and veteran slow bowler Clive Tucker has had a tremendous campaign, with wickets in every round for only very few runs, forming a terrific slow bowling combo with Holliday. Summons and Archie Thomas are usually part of their attack and will be up for the challenge.

Other factors – like running between the wickets!

But a major concern expressed by some respected pundits has been over the out fielding and running between the wickets of Lawrenny, which was evident in the DR Morris Final and could prove costly if they do the same here.
 
Danny Potter will be eager to end his run as captain at Haverfordwest with some silverware whilst Joe Kidney is enjoying the role with Lawrenny, with the result in the balance and totally dependent, as so often happens, on a match-winning performance on the big day.
 
But there are lesser known players who could make an impact, like Clive Tucker at Haverfordwest and Ryan Morton for Lawrenny. It all adds up to a great day out which this season takes place as the finale to the 2019 season. It is likely to be close but I have a feeling that this could be Lawrenny’s season – if they show alertness in all aspects of the final!



 

Harrison-Allen Bowl Final – guest contributor Fraser Watson’s view

 

Town start as slight favourites!

The Division One league table suggests a big gulf currently exists between these two sides, but in reality that will mean very little come Harrison-Allen Bowl final day.

Lawrenny have come of age these past two seasons. They’ve finished the summer as league runners up and have done so on merit - and are now preparing for a third big final inside two seasons.

Kidney leads a side with spirit – and all-round skill

Joe Kidney has harnessed a side of quality with a great team spirit to boot. The signings of Kurtis Marsh and James Skeels this season has added more strength in depth and their blend of youth and experience is a good one.

Furthermore, it was Kidney himself who kept his nerve with that final ball six against Saundersfoot in the semi-final and wins like that are vital ahead of big occasions like this. They help develop a know-how and belief in tight finishes.

Lawrenny have also beaten Haverfordwest twice in the league and dismissed them cheaply on both occasions. They have every reason to be confident but having lost at this stage last year, as well as in DR Morris Cup final this July, will know now is the time to start turning potential into trophies.

And the experience of both those defeats should help them.

But The Town will bring a very strong side . . .

However, I suspect The Town will arrive at Cresselly a far stronger outfit than the one that has endured an inconsistent season.

Not having Simon Holliday and Adam James available week in week out has disrupted them badly, as shown in the Bowl semi-final where Holliday’s ton led to a huge win over Whitland.

Youngsters have come into the fold but in skipper Danny Potter, Ben Field, and Dai Davies, as well as the two afore-mentioned players, they have guys who featured in their last Bowl win (2016) and more before that. Clive Tucker has also enjoyed his fair share of finals and their vast experience of this stage will only serve to help.

. . . For some unfinished business in a disappointing season

They will also sense unfinished business this summer. It has been some considerable time since they finished outside the top four in the league and their DR Morris Cup semi-final implosion cost them a shot at a trophy last month. Winning the Bowl would go a long way to salvaging the campaign.

Inevitably, much of the focus will centre on Holliday. When on form there is arguably no better batsman in Pembrokeshire cricket and the thought of him failing twice is almost inconceivable. In fact, if Lawrenny do find a way to twice get him cheaply, it could go a long way towards swinging the final in their favour.

And finally . . .

But Lawrenny too have game changers, with Brad McDermott-Jenkins one who can turn the tide quickly with his powerful hitting. Potter and co will know the value of not letting him get away.

Above all we hope for another entertaining, hard fought final. The superior experience and Bowl record of Haverfordwest makes them slight favourites in my eyes, but as the boring old cliché goes, it’s one that really could go either way.

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