PHOTO:
Players, umpires and organisers at the T20 Blast Finals' Day
Pic: Bill Carne
The ECB-backed Under 19 T20 Blast Pembrokeshire Finals Day, sponsored locally by TeesRUs was hosted by Haverfordwest Cricket Club recently and proved to be a great success as eight teams fought hard to become Pembrokeshire’s first champions.
After a hard fought day’s cricket, over two venues (the other being Hook CC) which saw 320 overs, 120 players, 22 hours of cricket, and 10 matches on four pitches, Llanelli Knights emerged victorious over Burton Warriors in the main competition and were presented with the Cup by Cricket Wales’ representative Mark White, thanks to a terrific performance from wicket-keeper/batsman Ben Edwards, who was clear man of the match, whilst the defeated semi-finalists were Cleddau Crusaders and Treleet Tigers.
Haverfordwest Blue Lightning won the Plate competition over Carew Rooks, who defeated Cresselly Crusaders in one plate semi-final with Neyland Black Caps losing to the Blue Lightning.
The format saw for the first time in Pembrokeshire coloured pyjamas, pink balls and lime green coloured tops for the umpires (Andrew Phillips, Tony Waldeis, Rob Cousins, Neil Croucher and Robert Ridge) in a day of fast, furious and entertaining cricket.
Co-ordinator Jonathan Twigg said afterwards,
“I am indebted to the committee and staff of Haverfordwest Cricket Club who helped organise the day, including club steward Mark Coneybear, caterers Pete and Kay and the supporting working party of volunteers were immense in ensuring the day went ahead. Groundsmen Mike Smith, Roger Thomas, Ashley James and George Thomas worked tirelessly to produce pitches to complement the day which was fronted by Richard ‘Musicman’ Scriven and Lucy Phillips, who kept the crowd and players entertained royally.
“A magic moment occurred in the first quarter final in Haverfordwest when Glamorgan 2nds player Tom Murphy of Cresselly Crusaders had an all-bowled hat trick on the way to a 6-7 haul in three overs against Treleet Tigers, which wasn’t enough to save his comrades from a huge defeat.
Mr Twigg continued in his acclaim of the off-pitch entertainment from Jeff Clout’s Bouncy Castles, Kyle Hamer [Zorbs], Jar of Hearts confectionary and Kelly Williams (face painting) whilst thanking Heatherton Country Park for the sponsorship of the raffle.
Welcome guests for the day were Mark White, Rick Walton and Matthew Freeman from Cricket Wales, Ken Davies from event sponsor TeesRUs and Huw Simpkins, who is the local face to Natwest in the Community. Mr Simpkins summed up the days cricket as being,
“A fantastic advert for Pembrokeshire sport and cricket in particular. The photo taken by Annie Latham captured the 120 players, team managers and officials, giving a truly colourful insight to just what the event epitomised: camaraderie, competition, enthusiasm and smiles, where cricket was the undoubted winner.
“The commitment from Jonathan Twigg to drive this competition to such a successful conclusion sets this up as a model for other Area and Group finals to use and develop for their own success. It’s a pleasure for me to represent NatWest and to be associated with today on a local and of course national level.”