Pembroke County Cricket Club Under 15's Junior League Final:

 

Kilgetty (57-5) beat Cresselly  (56 all out)

 
Sponsor: Colin John – Llewelyn Davies & Co Chartered Accountants
Umpires: Allan Hansen & Steve Williams
Scorers: Becki Badham &  Stefan Jenkins
Coaches: Trefor Badham & Colin Evans (Kilgetty):   Richard Jenkins & Stefan Jenkins (Cresselly)
Venue: St Ishmaels CC
 
This year’s final was between the top two sides from the  North  Zones with Kilgetty beating Haverfordwest  and Cresselly beating Neyland in the semi-finals.
 
The captain of Kilgetty, Jamie Keating won the toss against his counterpart Tyler James of Cresselly  and decided to bowl first. The square and outfield was in fine condition with the hard work of Kevin Bowen and Stuart Carpenter.




 

Kilgetty bowlers on top after excellent Cresselly start

 
Both teams had very strong bowling outfits and in both innings the ball dominated the bat. The Cresselly  opening bats, Oscar Lewis (17) and  Oliver Rowlands (10), progressed the score to 24 without loss off six overs but when Kiaran Sine removed both in quick succession with  tight bowling at the other end by  captain Keating the game for finely balanced.  
 
The introduction of the slow bowlers George Morgan and Ollie Tucker proved the turning point of the game. Despite Ollie Arthur (9) there followed a procession of wickets with George taking 2-11, including the dangerous Arthur, and a game changing performance  by Tucker  of 5-7, including  2 caught and bowled  together with a catch off Logan Hall  (1-1) proved decisive with Cresselly  all  out for 56 in 18.3 overs.   


                                                             
 

Cresselly fight back but Kilgetty hold their nerve

 
At the half way stage it seemed a mere formality. However it was the turn of the Cresselly bowlers to show their class. A sharp run out in the first over and a two tight opening spells by Tyler James (0-12) and Oscar Lewis (1-2), together with Ollie Arthur (3-7), including  the dangerous Sine and Morgan saw Kilgetty  stand  at 18-3 off 11 overs with both teams’ coaches, supporters and players nerves jangling.
 
It was the introduction of Lewis Rossiter (13) including a six and a four in the next over that swung the game and he and Logan Hall  (21 not out), being one of the few batsmen if truth was told who applied himself  got Kilgetty back on track.

The introduction of that man Ollie Tucker (11) saw Kilgetty finish on 57-5 in 17.3 overs and on the night ran out deserved winners. There was some good friendly banter on the field with the majority of the boys going to the same school.



 
 

And finally . . .

 
In the presentation after the match, Martin Jones (Junior Organiser)  congratulated both sides  and their coaches on reaching the final  and he also thanked St Ishmaels for hosting the final, including  Kevin Bowen and Stuart Carpenter  for their work on the ground,  Wendy Bradshaw, Rachael McGuire & especially her daughter Lily for providing the food  for the players and spectators.
 
Thanks were given to umpires Allan Hansen and Steve Williams and the scorers Becki Badham   and Stefan Jenkins, who all contributed to the evening’s entertainment for a large crowd.
 
The ongoing generous support of  League Sponsors, Colin John, Llewelyn Davies & Co Chartered Accountants was again  acknowledged.  It was also great to see Dave Brandon  (County Chairman)  and  Trefor Evans (County President)  in attendance with Dave presenting the trophies and medals.
The Winning Trophy, now in its 49th year, donated  by the family of the late Stan Richards  and John Bowen,  looked a picture. It was great to  Ollie Rees, grandson  of John Bowen, present the family trophy  to Kilgetty   with  Kevin Bowen & Georgina Morgan  (son & daughter of John) being unable to attend this year.
 
The player of the match,  donated by the family of the late Bill Roberts, another St Ishmaels stalwart was picked by the umpires.  Mention was made of Oscar Lewis and Ollie Arthur for their fine bowling performance and Logan Hall for his batting but with his devastating performance with the ball, catches and contribution with the bat  the award went to  Ollie Tucker who thoroughly deserved it.
 
Kilgetty: Jamie Keating (C), Kiaran Sine ,Lewis Rossiter, Louie Treadaway-Williams. Logan Hall, Maddoc Evans, George Morgan, George Macdonald, Euan Gottwaltz, Ollie Tucker, Connor Davies, Dylan Sine, Olly Badham.
 
Cresselly: Tyler James(C) , Oscar Lewis, Ollie Arthur, Lewis Mason, Milo Jones , Eli Owen, Jesse Craig, Oliver Rowlands,  Ethan Lewis ,Rhys Barnes, Lucian Thornton, Griff Jenkins.