PHOTO:
Neyland squad and scorer Kirsty Hannon
Picture by Martin Jones

ECB Indoor Cricket Finals:

Venue: Lord’s
 
Scorers: Kirsty Hannon (Neyland) and Terry Journeaux (Sarisbury)
 
Neyland’s hopes of becoming the first Pembrokeshire club to win the ECB Indoor Cricket Championships came to an abrupt halt in the semi-final at the Lord’s Indoor School as they lost to eventual winners Sarisbury by 23 runs.
 
Sarisbury, who came to the big day as Hampshire champions, lost to Margam in the final two years ago and showed their experience after winning the toss and electing to bat first, rapidly moving to 47 without loss in only five overs.
 

Sarisbury start well

 
Openers Ricky Rawlings and Matt Journeaux reached 25 apiece before retiring and added another three runs each at the end of the innings as the former was bowled by Nick Koomen and the latter run out in the inevitable run chase in the last of the 12 allotted overs.
 
Archie Norris was also run out for 11 as Neyland fielded quite well but the innings was given real impetus when Sarisbury skipper Dave Banks rasped 44 not out in his two speedy spells at the crease, taking a heavy toll on Patrick Hannon (0 for 42 in his three overs) and Koomen (1 for 53 from his similar spell.).
 
Nathan Banner (0 for 19) and Patrick Bellerby (1 for 16) were the pick of the Neyland bowlers but Sarisbury finished on a healthy 137 for 15 with the assistance of 16 extras.
 

Neyland unable to build on a solid start

 
Neyland also made a solid start via Banner and Koomen, who was eventually adjudged lbw to Sarisbury strike bowler Jimmy Ingram for 20, with Ashley Sutton, Neyland’s ‘Mr Reliable’ departing for a first-ball duck to the same bowler from the same mode of dismissal to strike a body blow against Neyland hopes.
 
Patrick Bellerby survived the hat-trick ball but was run out for only two runs with skipper Sean Hannon suffering the same fate when he’d reached 10.
 
Banner, who had retired at 25, returned alongside Patrick Hannon but was caught and bowled by man of the match Banks just two runs later – and it was left to Patrick Hannon to make the score respectable with an excellent 28 not out. There were also 23 extras but Sarisbury were value for victory despite Neyland’s yeoman attempts.
 
Did Pembrokeshire proud
 
The Neyland team, plus reserve Scott Jones and scorer Kirtsy Hannon, plus supporters then had a guided tour of Lord’s and took part in the presentation ceremony, where they deservedly received their mementoes – and although the players were understandably disappointed they can take considerable consolation from the fact that they had again flown the Pembrokeshire cricketing flag with real distinction throughout their travels to make it to the final four of this prestigious competition!
 
Scorecard:
 
Sarisbury Batting:
Rickie Rawlings b Nick Koomen 28
Matt Journeaux run out 28
Archie Norris run out 11
Dave Banks not out 44
Joe Lovett b Patrick Bellerby 0
Jimmy Ingram run out 9
Extras 16
Total (5 wickets) 137
 
Neyland Bowling:
Nathan Banner 3-0-19-0; Patrick Hannon 3-0-42-0; Nick Koomen 3-0-53-1; Patrick Bellerby 3-0-16-1
 
Neyland Batting:
Nick Koomen lbw b Jimmy Ingram 20
Nathan Banner ct & b Dave Banks 27
Ashley Sutton lbw b Jimmy Ingram 0
Patrick Bellerby run out 2
Sean Hannon run out 14
Patrick Hannon not out 28
Extras 23
Total (5 wickets) 114
 
Sarisbury Bowling:
Dave Banks 3-0-21-1; Matthew Journeaux 3-0-25-0; Joe Lovett 3-0-20-0; Jimmy Ingram 3-0-22-2