Who will win the Harrison-Allen Bowl Final for 2024?

 
As usual, PembrokeshireSport.co.uk has visited a number of clubs from division one and the top of division two, plus a few county officials sporting enough to make a prediction, right or wrong, like the rest of us!

Lawrenny just shade the title of favourites on our site but everyone says how close it could be – so who do you think will edge it?

Contact us on our Facebook page if you want to predict your winner!



 
1. Fraser Watson (Llanrhian Player & Sports Pundit)
 
I said at the start of the season that to stop Neyland winning the Harrison-Allen Bowl, a team would have beat them over one innings before they reached the final. Saundersfoot did just that and proved, that with the likes of Nick Cope and Tom Mansbridge, they have the players to do real damage in this format. They were heavily beaten by Lawrenny in the league just over a month ago, but that isn’t a result I expect to have any bearing on the final.
 
Lawrenny of course, do have the advantage of by now being used to this occasion. Rob Williams remains as consistent and dangerous as any bowler in the county, and their batting line-up is laced with players who have the potential to take the game away from a side.
 
The pressure is on them now though. Having now lost finals in 2018, 2020, and 2024, they will feel it’s time to deliver. The club has made huge progress over the past decade, but the now need to land a second Bowl title to cement that.
 
Lawrenny start favourites, but Saundersfoot will like it that way.
 
But as with every Bowl final, we hope for a high-quality and close affair, blazing sunshine, and a big crowd. It’s a day that rarely fails to deliver, and expect Saturday to be no different.
 
 






 2. Sean Hannon (Neyland & Pembrokeshire Captain):
 
Lawrenny will start as favourites because of their experience of playing there a few times recently but if Saundersfoot play as they did when they smashed us then they will take some stopping. But this game is over two innings and so the more consistent team should win but again both have had terrific highs and lows this season.
 
They both have ‘big game’ players too so much will depend upon them and I think the return to fitness of Ryan Morton alongside Harry Thomas (a vital player) and Troy Purslowe could just about take Lawrenny to their second Bowl win.
 
 








 
3. Peter Bradshaw (St Ishmaels All-Rounder):
 
I know what playing in a Bowl Final can do for the nerves so it will be interesting to see how Saundersfoot cope with it – and that’s the right word because Nick Cope is a key player alongside Tom Mansbridge and Sam Franklin. Mind you, Lawrenny have their key players too but are bound to miss Steve Lewis’s experience as his sons Finley and Oscar are in the team. It really is a 50/50 call but I have just a small feeling that this could be the year that Saundersfoot lift the Bowl for the first time.”
 
 
 
 






 
4. Trefor Evans (President, Pembroke County Cricket Club):
 
When Bill asked me my first reaction was to say I can’t forecast it because there are so many imponderables but I knew he would accuse me of sitting on the fence and there is no harm in everyone having an opinion because it is only that – an opinion! I do think it could go either way because have heavy hitters of the ball but both teams have been shot out this season.  It’s over two innings and I just think that Lawrenny have that greater experience which on the day should give them an edge – but I wouldn’t bet my last £1 coin on it!
 
 
 
 










 
 5. Shaun Whitfield (Carew All-Rounder):
 
Lawrenny start as slight favourites in a game which is fascinating to look at because each side has a number of plusses but are not quite as strong as the opposition in others. I think the return of Ryan Morton as Lawrenny captain is a real plus for them because he can hit big and take wickets alongside Rob Williams. Saundersfoot played really well in beating Neyland and Llangwm in the last two rounds but over two innings I think Lawrenny will just about squeeze home!
 









 
 
 
6. Toby Hayman (Burton captain):
 
Lawrenny have done well to bring the young Lewis boys into the team and still have lots of experience, led by Ryan Morton, Rob Williams, Harry Thomas and Troy Purslowe, whilst Saundersfoot have really potent players at the top of their batting order but not quite as strong overall – but have a very good bowling attack with the Mansbridge Boys, Sam Franklin and others. It is almost impossible to choose but if pushed I’d go for Saundersfoot – but only just!
 
 
 








 
7. Ben Field (Haverfordwest Batsman):
 
I think Lawrenny will start as favourites but I’m going for Saundersfoot to win the coveted Harrison-Allen Bowl at their first attempt – but it is the most fascinating final for many years, with both teams having genuine match-winners – but still capable of scoring 50 or 250, depending on the day. I just felt this could be Saundersfoot’s year since they trounced Neyland by 100 runs but in the semi-final were forced to pull out all the stops against Llangwm in a low-scoring tussle. Nick Cope, Sam Franklin and the Mansbridge boys will have to pull out all the stops because Lawrenny are experienced in two-innings finals and they are not!
 
 
 







 
8. Steve Blowes (Hon Secretary, Pembroke CCC)
 
Congratulations to Saundersfoot CC for reaching their first Harrison-Allen Bowl Final and no-one could say it wasn’t deserved after their outstanding wins in the previous rounds.  They have really come of age and have several players who can swing the match their way, as John Mansbridge and especially Nick Cope did in the semi-final.
 
But I think experience counts for so much  and although Lawrenny have four players in their squad who played in the Ormond Youth Final I think the experience of Rob Williams, Troy Purslowe and especially Ryan Morton will see them through over two innings apiece so my prediction is a Lawrenny win!
 
 









 

9. Kyle Quartermaine (Narberth Captain):
 
It has to be Lawrenny for me! They have had their fair share of finals over recent years and that experience will hold them in good stead, especially in the second innings when tiredness is bound to set in. Saundersfoot have a terrific front six batsmen so they have a real chance but I still think Lawrenny will last the pace better – with Ryan Morton as a major influence with both bat and ball.
 
 
 










 
10. Richard Merriman (Immediate Past Chairman of Pembroke County Cricket Club and County Seniors Selector)
 
It is definitely a tough name to pick because on their day either could produce huge scores or get out cheaply, as they have done in the league. I’m pleased to see Saundersfoot have a first final because it gives a message to other clubs about aiming high – and I can remember how thrilled the neutral onlookers were when Lawrenny won their Bowl Final victory against Cresselly in 2001. They have lost a few others since but a number of their players have had that experience. My heart says Saundersfoot but my head picks Lawrenny so I have to go for them as winners for 2024.
 
 






 



 




11. Ed John (Whitland RFC batsman):
 
I think this will be a  really  interesting final between two evenly balanced sides, with match winners in both camps. On their day, it could go either way but for me Saundersfoot may just hold the edge in their first final – but it really could go either way!
 
 
 













 
12. Steve Mills (Llangwm All-Rounder):
 
It could be a final to remember because both teams have so many players who can hit plenty of sixes – or they could take too many risks under pressure and have surprisingly low scores!  But I think it will have high scores and it will be a final to remember, with Lawrenny just shading it because they have been in a few finals lately and will be keen to make up for losing last season. And man of the match? It could be any one of five players from either team!
 
 






 
 
13. Paul Nicholas (Herbrandston Veteran):
 
To be honest I am hoping Saundersfoot will win at their first attempt because it is always nice to see a new name on any trophy – and I feel that this is their time. I go to watch the final every season and more often than not it is one or two players who swings the game their club’s way. Lawrenny are hugely respected and have a strong squad that includes some very good teenagers but I think Saundersfoot have the bigger guns overall – and if they fire then we could be in for something of a shock for a win by the underdogs!
 
 
 





 



14. Jamie Phelps (Hook all-rounder):
 
 
It’s nice to see Saundersfoot get to the final but Lawrenny have to be favourites because of their much greater experience at this level.
 
So Saundersfoot would need the Mansbridge boys, Tom and John, plus Sam Franklin to come off if they are to cause a shock
I think Lawrenny with Rob Williams, Troy Purslowe and Ryan Morton in their team will come out on top but it’s going to be a fascinating final!