Lawrenny make it to third Bowl final
PHOTO:
James Phillips hits out for Lawrenny
Harrison Allen Bowl semi-final
Llangwm (126-7) lost to Lawrenny (129-4) by 6 wickets
Umpires: Tony Waldeis and John Williams
Scorers: Malcolm Thomas and Gracie Morris
Venue: Kingsmoor Ground, Kilgetty Cricket Club
For the first time since 2001, Lawrenny will contest a Harrison-Allen Bowl final after Joe Kidney’s side produced a professional display to beat Llangwm at Kilgetty in an absorbing clash.
Interest surrounding the clash was evident as cars crammed into Kingsmoor, and the host club certainly emerged with a credit on another stunning evening for cricket in Pembrokeshire.
Poor Llangwm start after electing to bat first
It was Llangwm skipper Ollie Davies who opted to bat after winning the toss, but his side were soon stifled as Rob Williams and Jamie Lewis bowled tight lines early on, the first two overs yielding just three runs before Phil Llewellyn broke the shackles by hammering Williams back over his head for four.
But after surviving a scare when his top edge just evaded keeper James Phillips, Llewellyn fell for 11 as his mistimed cut shot off Williams presented Lewis with a simple catch.
His opening partner Will Beresford (13) survived a scare from a run out chance but from the last ball of the seventh over, nicked a Williams delivery to Phillips and then very next ball, Lewis bowled Matthew Kiff (1) to leave Llangwm in deep trouble at 26-3.
Kiff and Brock try to redress the balance
Williams claimed another scalp, having Noah Davies (6) also caught behind en-route to figures of 3-22 in six overs, while Lewis finished with 1-29 and with the score 54-4, Kidney’s side were on top.
Joe Kiff did his best to turn the tide despite seeing Chris Inward (3) caught behind off Ryan Morton, and he went on to make 26 (three fours) before giving a return catch to Brad McDermott-Jenkins, albeit via a full toss which would have been close to being called a no-ball.
But at 85-6 it was Luke Brock who gave his side hope, cracking the only six of the innings off McDermott-Jenkins (2-23) as he made 20 not out, and although the latter bowled Richard Brock (6), captain Davies also added late momentum with two fours in his 12 not out to give Llangwm a score of 126-7 in their 22 overs – a competitive if not imposing total.
Lawrenny make a better start
Lawrenny started well as Simon ‘Chief’ Cole and McDermott-Jenkins (9) took the score to 25, but after surviving a top edge that landed between fielders, the latter’s straight drive back at bowler Noah Davies (1-19) was neatly pouched.
New man Phillips hooked a six off Davies before surviving a close run out call, and he and Cole ultimately set up victory with a stand of 70.
Nerves develop as Cole and Phillips depart . . .
Cole looked classy as he hit 12 boundaries before being bowled by Inward (1-39) for 49 – and then suddenly, Llangwm grabbed a lifeline as two more wickets fell without a run being added.
Llewellyn clean bowled James Phillips for 44 (a six and five fours) and then had namesake Matthew LBW from the very next ball.
. . . But skipper Kidney guides Lawrenny home
But skipper Kidney, batting at No 6, calmed any nerves with a four over mid-off from Inward in the 17th over.
He repeated the process in the next over off Llewellyn to edge his side closer as he finished 10 not out, and it was Patrick Elliott who then rounded things off when he took Inward to the fence at the end of the 19th – securing what was ultimately a comfortable win for his side.
Lawrenny now await the winners of Narberth and Cresselly in the final – who meet in Whitland this Thursday.
PHOTOS:
Simon 'Chief' Cole batted well
Phil Llewellyn plays a nice shot through the covers for Llangwm
Richard Brock is bowled