Ken Morris Cup Final:
Carew 3rds (71 for 8 and 50 all out) lost to Haverfordwest 3rds (140 for 6 and 187 for 3)
Umpires: John Williams and Mervyn John
Scorers: Lewis Hicks/Gethin Evans and Alison Sanders
Ashley James was the undoubted hero as Haverfordwest Thirds won the 2012 Ken Morris Cup after they beat their counterparts from Carew by a record margin of 206 runs at Narberth.
James smashed 70 not out in the first innings before taking three Carew wickets – and then added another 84 runs after tea before Carew collapsed to 50 all out when set a monster target of 256 runs for victory.
Bad weather had prevented the final being played at Narberth at the end of last season but organiser Richard Howell was delighted that it was all systems go for this Bank Holiday match as both teams agreed to play at short notice. The Narberth pitch looked a picture after the efforts of Chris Richards and Wyn Phillips, with an excellent tea provided by the Narberth Ladies.
James stars with bat and ball
Haverfordwest lost early wickets against Kerry Waters (3 for 12) and Jacob Knox (2 for 42) to stand at a perilous 25 for 5 but then Ashley James was joined by experienced batsman Andrew Phillips in a century stand where they gradually raised the tempo before Phillips was dismissed for 33 in the late run chase. James carried on his mayhem until the end of the 20 overs, however, and his splendid 70 not out included ten boundaries.
James then picked up the ball and grabbed 3 for 21 alongside Filgi Varghese (2 for 26), and Micky Phillips (1 for 6) as wickets tumbled for Carew. Only Dafydd Bevan, with an outstanding 47 (seven fours) was able to stay long as Carew could only muster 71 for 8 in their allotted overs.
The Town tally rockets
John Tooze struck eight fours in his 55 as Haverfordwest set off after tea but again it was James who was the epicentre of the action as he blitzed six sixes and four fours en route to his tally of 84 before he was finally out. Kern Cunningham sent the scoreboard racing as he came in for the last over and belted 20 in five deliveries, including two big sixes.
Tom Lewis (12) and Dafydd Bevan (13) managed double figures as Carew batted for a second time but struggled against Mark Thorpe (3 for 24), Cunningham (3 for 23) and Richard Davies (2 for 3).
Nice family finish
Ken Morris’s sons Greg and Richard were in attendance whilst Paul was away on holiday and so unable to be there at such short notice. The trophies were presented by Ken’s grandchildren Charlene, Shelley and Dominic and former Narberth player John Owen had the easy task of choosing Ashley James as the man of the match.