The Harrison-Allen Bowl Snippets
PHOTOS:
The men who make local cricket tick: Tony Scourfield (Chairman), Steve Blowes (Hon Sec) and Paul Webb (Vice chairman)
Grace Scourfield from the sponsors, Thomas Scourfield & Son, and Tony Scourfield, County Club chairman
Simon Holliday - Mr Forgetful'!
Great Stumps!
Dave Loosmore - never stopped walking!
Sion Jenkins - trumpet solo for Cresselly!
The magnificent Bowl and trophies
Absent-minded Doctor
Staying with Simon Holliday for a second it seems the key all-rounder known to at The Racecourse as ‘Doc’ is becoming a bit of a legend, not for cricket though but for his absent-mindedness!
He arrived for the DR Morris Final well after the start, having got confused about the starting time, but was well on time for this big match, only to discover that he had left much of his playing kit at home. Fortunately, some whites etc were soon found and after a duck in the first innings he played a key role in his team’s success, with 65 smashing second-innings runs and seven wickets during Cresselly’s two innings.
Perfect pitch
Very occasionally there has been some debate over whether the Bowl final should be played at Cresselly if they are in the final but most cricket-lovers would say that it is the home of this wonderful competition and should never be played elsewhere. The ground was as usual, in splendid shape and the wicket was a belter that only comes with an immense amount of loving care – so well done Glyn Cole, Denis Chiffi and the rest of the helpers at Cresselly!
Great Scourfield’s sponsorship
The final was sponsored by Thomas Scourfield and Son so well done Kenny, Michael and Roger. They had the traditional banners but also included a nice touch as a sport-orientated family – the stumps were also emblazoned with the company’s name. So well done boys, and to Grace for playing a part in the presentations. Tom was helping to put the banners up – and I hope no players ‘lifted’ a stump as they do in test matches!
Top speed and first gear
This final was thought likely to produce the closest finish for years but in the final analysis in was something of an anti-climax for neutral onlookers because Haverfordwest were so dominant. They had superb performances by man of the match Dai Davies, Simon Holliday, Ajay Revu and skipper Danny Potter (one of the best Harrison-Allen Final innings I have seen for some time. For Cresselly, only Tom Murphy, Iwan Izzard, Mike Shaw and skipper Phil Williams ever really got out of first gear.
Hearty breakfasts
As the tradition demands, both teams enjoyed a hearty breakfast together, with Haverfordwest being well looked after by Peter and Kay at their club. Cresselly are now sponsored by The Plough in Sageston and enjoyed their food there – and I could tell you who ate most but I won’t embarrass a fast bowler in one camp and an all-rounder in the other!
‘Daffy’ keeps on walking
On the subject of walking around the Cresselly ground in the final then Haverfordwest chairman David ‘Daffy’ Loosmore takes some beating because he completed 16 circuits on the day, chatting to all on the boundary and carrying the occasional glass of ale to make sure his fluid levels were maintained. He was as delighted as anyone at the club with The Town’s success and still had room for a few pints in celebration of Haverfordwest’s victory.
Wrong again – but was it on purpose?
OK, I admit it – I was WRONG AGAIN! I managed to maintain my reputation as one of the worst tipsters in the county by nominating Cresselly to win, allowing a gut feeling to overcome what my head was telling me was a foregone conclusion. So I would like to apologise to Phil Williams and the Cresselly lads for jinxing them and there is no truth in the rumour that I did it on purpose to give a boost to a club where I was Hon Sec for nearly a decade! Eight of our 11 tipsters from other clubs got it right – so well done to you all!
Old pals as scorers
Jayne Cole (Haverfordwest) and Dave Richards (Cresselly) are two of the most popular and respected scorers in the county but arrived at the final with different records. Dave is vastly experienced but has managed to dodge scoring in the final because he loves walking around the ground, watching the match.
Jayne has been scoring for even longer and travels around 100 miles for each match. Amazingly this was her 15th final and her team’s eighth win – and her record will surely never be beaten.
Trumpet playing, singing and bags of ‘atmosphere’
It might not have been the closest final on record but both sets of supporters enjoyed their part, with plenty of singing and good-natured banter. Cresselly’s entourage was lead by Sion Jenkins and his trusty trumpet, with ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland’ as an unusual main theme, whilst the Haverfordwest group in the corner sang the names of every player and managed to wind up a couple of the opposition as a bonus for them. But it was all in good humour and the County Club’s decision to open up the ‘Veranda’ was vindicated – although cheerleader Sam Harts and his merry men, who were ensconced there, might have regretted chanting ‘The Doc’s on a double duck’ as Simon ‘Doc’ Holliday followed his first innings nought with a powerful 65 in his second knock – and a five-wicket haul after that!
Interesting programme
The County Cricket Club produced an excellent programme for the final, as has become traditional for the most important single fixture of the season. Player profiles, facts and figures, a look at the past and other things make sure there was plenty of reading so well done Hon Sec Steve Blowes for its production!
Well done Webbie!
Well done to Paul Webb on doing such a great job as announcer for the match, with information aplenty delivered in a professional way. Paul is County Club vice-chairman and clearly enjoys doing the job but when he takes over the reins in a couple of seasons his will be a hard act to follow because it demands a total focus throughout a long match.
Tony tells it as it is
Tony Scourfield has been an outstanding chairman of the County Club so far and again on Saturday was heavily involved. He really looks the part in his county club shirt, tie and blazer and at the post-match presentations speaks really well. He thanks people with aplomb, shows his love of local cricket and when he says ‘cricket has been the winner’ even old cynics like me have a lump in their throats. So well done Skerks – and here’s to the rest of your time in office!