Llangwm (183 for 5) beat Whitland (147 all out)
Umpires: John Williams & Rob Bellerby
Scorers: Janice Brick & Janice Webb
Venue: The Lewis Lloyd Ground, Narberth
A superb undefeated century by opening bat Will Beresford helped Llangwm to a cup-final double as they beat Bowl holders Whitland in a cracking semi-final played on an excellent pitch at Narberth.
Llangwm already play in the DR Morris Cup final at Burton on Sunday but this win puts them in with a chance of greater glory as they now wait to see who wins the other semi-final between Neyland and Saundersfoot.
Beresford and Inward lead a positive Llangwm approach
And credit must go to Llangwm’s positive approach because when Llangwm won the toss skipper Jonathan Twigg elected to bat first and put pressure on Whitland by trying to post a big score, which is exactly what they did as left-hander Beresford showed his class by playing some scorching shots along the ground but also sent anything remotely loose flying over the boundary ropes for a series of sixes.
He was joined in a highly productive opening stand by Chris Inward, which saw 70 on the board in double-quick time, with Inward contributing a powerful 32 and later spear-heading the Llangwm attack with a five-
wicket haul to play a major part in his team’s success.Nasty injury a black spot for Llangwm
Sadly, though, there was one black spot on the evening for the winners because Chris Inward’s younger brother Steve tried to take a return catch when bowling and suffered a nasty injury to his finger and required hospital treatment. It could keep him out of the game for a while and everyone at the game, and cricket lovers in general, will wish this likeable young man a speedy return to action.
Steve Inward had earlier contributed 12 runs to Llangwm’s massive total of 183 for 5 but it was Beresford who built the momentum to make a century seem inevitable but there was a heart-stopping moment for him as he stood on 99 and top-edged a ball into the sky. It seemed he would be denied three figures but the catch was spilled and he went on to reach 114 not out as David Dunfee (2 for 27), Dan James (1 for 35) and younger brother Steffan (2 for 48) were the Whitland wicket-takers.
John and Thomas battle in vain
Chris Inward then struck an early blow for Llangwm as he bowled Dylan Blain in the first over but Whitland were still in with a chance at the half-way mark of their innings as skipper Ed John compiled a classy 48 and Jonathan Thomas held the innings together, as he does so often, with a neatly-compiled 50. But when both were out wickets fell regularly as Chris Inward claimed a 5 for 32 haul and had excellent support from Andrew Harries (3 for 35) and Darren Brick (1 for 23).
It left Whitland on 147 all out in the gathering gloom but skipper Ed John was quick to praise the opposition.
“We were beaten by a better side on the night and we wish Llangwm every success in the final – and our best wishes also go to Steve Inward for a quick recovery.”
His opposite number Jonathan Twigg was understandably delighted at his team’s success.
“We played to our pre-match plan and it worked on the night,” he said. “It was an all-round team performance and when we play like this we need fear nobody.”