D.R.Morris Cup – Quarter Final:

 
 

Lawrenny (124 for 3) beat Neyland (123 for 7) by 7 wickets

 
Umpires: Steve Blowes and Dave Brandon
Scorers: Malcolm Thomas & John Laugharne
 
A superb innings of 65 not out by opening bat Kurtis Marsh sent Lawrenny to a deserved victory over previously undefeated Neyland, by seven wickets and with two overs in hand,  but it was an excellent all-round performance by Joe Kidney’s team in an absorbing clash that showed why these teams are currently two of the top three in the county.
 
Neyland have come to expect good starts with their powerful batting line-up but in-form opener Nick Koomen departed for just two runs as Matthew Lewis took the catch off brother Jamie’s bowling - and Ashley Sutton only managed 13, beaten by the pace of Rob Williams after looking in good nick, so that they were under early pressure.
 
But former skipper Gregg Miller, just beginning to resume his playing career, gained in confidence and shared a much-needed stand of 72 with big hitter Nathan Banner where Miller top-scored with 38 before he gave a catch to kidney off Marsh and Banner gave good support with 32 before he was caught by Matthew Lewis when Morton joined the fray.
 

Neyland struggle after third-wicket partnership

 
But perhaps the key wicket was that of Ross Hardy as he failed to build on his recent run-spate by scoring just three runs before he became another Morton victim, edging to keeper James Phillips - and Brad McDermott-Jenkins, back in his home village and eager to make an impact, could only contribute seven runs as Steve Lewis caught him, with Morton again in the bowler’s frame.
 
Skipper Sean Hannon came and went for six runs to give Morton potentially a match-winning four wicket haul - and it was left to twin brother Patrick (7 not out) and Lewis Page (8 not out) to scramble late runs to leave their side on 123 for 7 from their allotted 20 overs – a decent enough tally but had local pundits wondering whether it would be enough to maintain Neyland’s winning start to the campaign
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Williams leads Lawrenny’s bowling attack with a miserly spell

 
Leading the way with the ball for Lawrenny was veteran fast bowler Rob Williams, showing the fire and commitment that has been evident for so many years as a one-club man, as he bowled his four overs for a miserly eight runs.
 
In terms of wickets taken, Ryan Morton, who had scored an undefeated century when the teams last met, showed what a good all-rounder he has developed into with a 4 for 31 haul from his four overs, with support from Jamie Lewis (1 for 21), Kurtis Marsh (1 for 25) and Harry Thomas (0 for 31).
 

Lawrenny openers serve up a half-century start

 
It was evident that Neyland knew they needed early wickets whilst Lawrenny sought a solid start from Harry Thomas and Kurtis Marsh, and it was the latter club who got what they wanted as an opening stand of 50 was built on an ability to punish the bad ball whilst scoring sensibly from good deliveries.
 
Thomas had 24 to his name before he was eventually caught by Banner off McDermott-Jenkins – and a glimmer of hope appeared for Sean Hannon’s men as James Phillips departed for a duck, adjudged lbw to Hardy.
 

Marsh and Morton see Lawrenny home

 
But Marsh showed his class as a batsman as he regularly found the boundary and Steve Lewis chipped in with 11 before he fell to an outstanding catch by Banner off talented teenager Jack John.
 
At this stage Neyland still had a chance, albeit a slim one, but Morton, who clearly relishes playing against Neyland scored a vital 19 not out in support of Marsh, whose 65 not out included nine fours and a six – and earned Lawrenny a semi-final spot, where they will play Llangwm at Imble Lane, Pembroke Dock.
 

SCORECARDS:

 
Neyland Batting:
Nick Koomen ct Matthew Lewis b Jamie Lewis 2
Ashley Sutton b Rob Williams 13
Gregg Miller ct Joe Kidney b Kurtis Marsh 38
Nathan Banner ct Matthew Lewis b Ryan Morton 32
Ross Hardy ct James Phillips b Ryan Morton 3
Brad McDermott-Jenkins ct Steve Lewis b Ryan Morton 7
Sean Hannon ct Joe Kidney b Ryan Morton 6
Patrick Hannon not out 5
Lewis Page not out 8
Extras 9
Total (7 wickets) 123
 
Lawrenny Bowling:
Jamie Lewis 4-0-21-0; Rob Williams 4-0-8-1; Harry Thomas 4-0-31-0; Kurtis Marsh 4-0-25-1; Ryan Morton 4-0-31-4
 
Lawrenny Batting:
Harry Thomas ct Nathan Banner b Brad McDermott-Jenkins 24
Kurtis Marsh not out 65
James Phillips lbw b Ross Hardy 0
Steve Lewis ct Nathan Banner b Jack John 11
Ryan Morton not out 11
Extras 5
Total (3 wickets) 124
 
Neyland Bowling:
Patrick Hannon 3-0-24-0; Sean Hannon 2-0-9-0; Ross Hardy 4-0-18-1; Brad McDermott-Jenkins 2-0-18-1; Geraint Rees 1-0-15-0; Nick Koomen 3-0-25-0; Jack John 3-0-12-1