Sean’s Neyland storm troopers soldier on

 

PHOTOS:

The victorious Neyland team after beating Dales CC from Leominster

Dales CC enjoy a buffet prepared by Wendy and Chris Bradshaw before their long journey home

Umpires Allan Hansen (Neyland) and Peter Hoare (Dales) with Welsh indoor cricket organiser Trevor Jones (centre)

Scorers Phil Mellish (Dales) and Kirsty Hughes (Neyland)

Inter-Regional Indoor Cricket Competition:

 

Neyland (146 for 2) beat Dales, Herefordshire (51 all out) by 95 runs

 
Venue: Meads Leisure Centre, Milford Haven
Umpires: Alan Hansen (Pembrokeshire) & Peter Hoare (Dales)
Scorer: Kirsty Hughes (Neyland) and Phil Mellish (Dales)
Organiser: Wendy Bradshaw (Pembrokeshire) and Trevor Jones (Wales)
 
Neyland are again the Welsh flag bearers in the inter-regional indoor cricket competition which ends at Lords – and this superb performance in beating Dales CC (Leominster) earned them a place in the regional semi finals at Edgbaston on 2^nd March

The margin of victory (95 runs) showed what a superb performance Neyland, ably led by skipper Sean Hannon, put in and had local pundits at the game suggesting it might be their best ever as they all batted really well to achieve a huge score of 146 for 2 wickets from their allotted 12 overs.

Then they bowled with such pace and accuracy, allied to quite outstanding work in the field, that Dales crumbled to a total of 51 all out in 10.1 overs that belied what a useful team they are.
 

Superb start ensures immediate pressure

 
Put in to bat first, Neyland openers Paul Murray and Nick Koomen set the tone with some excellent running between the wickets that put immediate pressure on the Dales fielders and their bowlers conceded a total of 19 wides in a total of 34 extras. Murray had eight threes in his 26 and Koomen supported with six threes and a six in his 25 before both had to retire in quick succession.
 
Skipper Sean Hannon supported with another speedy 25 alongside Andrew Miller as they advanced the total into three figures with almost four overs left before Miller was run out for 19. It left Patrick Hannon and Patrick Bellerby to complete the innings and although the latter was run out their final tally was a very challenging one indeed.
 

Dales rocked back early

 
Dales clearly needed a good start but they were rocked back as Nick Koomen fielded a ball in the gully and quickly threw it in for Paul Murray to run out a surprised Marcus Price for only eight runs!
 
Worse was to follow for Dales as Patrick Hannon took a splendid low return catch to dismiss ace batsman Faz Ahmed for a duck and the combined sharpness of Sean Hannon and Andrew Miller resulted in Dendish Podba also departing cheaply.
 
When Sam Alford was bowled by Sean Hannon for only nine runs Neyland had reduced the visitors to 40 for 4.
Neyland's fielding was again in evidence as Patrick Bellerby helped Andrew Miller run out Ian Jones for another duck and only opener Leeam Alford withstood the Neyland pressure until Andrew Miller tempted him into giving a simple return catch when he was last out for 27 in a Dales tally of 51 all out.

Both teams, officials and supporters enjoyed an excellent buffet provided by Wendy and Chris Bradshaw and now Neyland will be looking to carry on their fine form when they travel to Edgbaston for the next stage of the competition.
 
Scorecard:
 
Neyland Batting:
Paul Murray retired 26
Nick Koomen retired 25
Andrew Miller run out 19
Sean Hannon retired 25
Patrick Hannon not out 14
Patrick Bellerby run out 3
Extras 34
Total  (2 wickets) 146
 
Dales Bowling:
Sam Alford 3-0-21-0; Faz Ahmed 3-0-31-0; Leeam Alford 3-0-31-0; Dendish Podba 3-0-48-0
 
Dales Batting:
Leeam Alford ct & b Andrew Miller 27
Marcus Price run out 8
Faz Ahmed ct & b Patrick Hannon 0
Sam Alford b Sean Hannon 9
Dendish Podba run out 2
Ian Jones run out 0
Extras 6
Total (all out) 51
 
Neyland Bowling:
Patrick Hannon 3-0-17-1; Nick Koomen 2-0-5-0; Sean Hannon 2-0-8-1; Patrick Bellerby 2-0-8-0; Andrew Miller 1.1-0-8-1