National Village Cup – Zone Semi-Final:

 

Lawrenny (198 for 7) lost to Neyland (204 for 9) by 6 runs

Umpires: Chris Stapleton & Neil Thomas
Scorers: Malcolm Thomas & John Laugharne
 
Lawrenny and Neyland showed just why they are now regarded as being in the top three teams in Pembrokeshire as they fought out a Welsh Village Cup Zone Semi-Final described by one impressed neutral onlooker as a ‘titanic tussle’ before Neyland squeezed home by six runs as the homesters found a final target of 25 runs from their last two overs just too big a hurdle to overcome.
 
The quality of the play from both sides was all the more remarkable because both were without five first-team regulars but were able to bring in talented youngsters to plug the gaps.
 

Poor start for Neyland . . .

 
Put in to bat first, Neyland got off to a poor start as they lost opener George Evans for 2 and soon following for an identical score each were Henry Durrant and Brad McDermott-Jenkins, obviously disappointed against his former club as he became Jamie Lewis’s third victim and leave the score on 21 for 3.
 
Opening bat Nick Koomen and Ross Hardy set about repairing the damage as they added 37 runs but Koomen fell to a good catch by Kurtis Marsh off Ryan Morton – and then Gregg Miller marked a rare cameo these days with 13 before he was again caught by Marsh, to give Jamie Lewis fine figures of 4 for 17 in his eight-over stint.
 

. . . But Hardy steps in to save the day

 
Gregg’s brother Andrew (10) and skipper Sean Hannon (16) chipped in with vital runs as Hardy dominated matters, both falling to Mattie Lewis, who joined brother Jamie as key bowlers when he finally shifted the in-form Hardy for 97 in a late Neyland chase for runs.
 
By then three figures seemed almost a certainty as Hardy lashed seven fours and five sixes before Matthew Kidney held his nerve to take a good boundary catch as Hardy sought in vain to reach three figures in typical style.
 
Lewis Page chipped in with 10 not out at the end to leave the game nicely balanced at the half-way stage with Lawrenny needing 205 to win in 40 overs.


 

Lawrenny look solid after early loss

 
Lawrenny lost opener Kyle Marsh for a duck in the first over, adjudged lbw to Neyland skipper Sean Hannon, who had surrendered the wicket-keeping gloves early on to Nick Koomen.
 
But Kurtis Marsh (29) and home skipper Joe Kidney (22) looked good until both were removed by McDermott-Jenkins as part of a 3 for 25 haul which later included Mattie Lewis (9).
 

Morton causes mayhem but Neyland’s teenager Jack holds his nerve in the final over

 
But Ryan Morton, moved up to No 4 in the order, began to take charge as he struck six fours and eight big sixes to apply real pressure to the Neyland bowlers as James Buckle gave late support until he was run out for 17.
 
Morton reached a deserved century but credit goes to Neyland’s 16 year old pace bowler Jack John as he bowled the final over and kept his nerve to take his team home – and their reward is a zone final next Sunday against high-scoring Cresselly.
 
Praise must also go to Lawrenny for their part in a very competitive match which was a credit to both clubs!
 
 

SCORECARDS:

 
Neyland Batting:
Nick Koomen ct Kurtis Marsh b Ryan Morton 31
George Evans ct James Buckle b Jamie Lewis 2
Henry Durrant ct Rhydian Eynon b Jamie Lewis 2
Brad McDermott-Jenkins b Jamie Lewis 2
Ross Hardy  ct Matthew Kidney b Matthew Lewis 97
Gregg Miller ct Kurtis Marsh b Jamie Lewis 13
Andrew Miller ct Jamie Lewis b Matthew Lewis 10
Sean Hannon b Matthew Lewis 16
Lewis Page not out 10
William Hughes st A Buckle b Kyle Marsh 1
Extras 20
Total (9 wickets) 204
 
Lawrenny Bowling:
Jamie Lewis 8-0-17-4; Ryan Morton 8-0-42-1; Kurtis Marsh 8-1-32-0; R Eynon 6-0-29-0; Matthew Lewis 7-0-47-3; Kyle Marsh 3-0-24-1
 
Lawrenny Batting:
Kurtis Marsh ct Nick Koomen b Brad McDermott-Jenkins 29
Kyle Marsh lbw b Sean Hannon 0
Joe Kidney b Brad McDermott-Jenkins 22
Ryan Morton not out 100
Alfie Buckle ct Gregg Miller b Andrew Miller 7
Mattie Lewis b Brad McDermott-Jenkins 9
Rhydian Eynon st Sean Hannon b Jack John 4
James Buckle run out 17
Jamie Lewis not out 4
Extras 6
Total (7 wickets) 198 for 7
 
Neyland Bowling:
Sean Hannon 8-1-34-1; Henry Durrant 5-0-26-0; Brad McDermott-Jenkins 8-1-25-3; Andrew Miller 5-0-38-1; Ross Hardy 8-2-44-0; Nick Koomen 2-0-4-0; Jack John 4-1-25-1