Welsh Under 19 T20 final:
Maesteg Celtic (76 all out) lost to Cleddau Crusaders (77-7) by 3 wickets
A long wait to compete in the previously-postponed Welsh Under 19 T20 Final proved more than worthwhile for the Cleddau Crusaders since Sunday saw them crowned as 2017 Welsh champions after beating a strong Maesteg Celtic side in Pontarddulais on Sunday.
The game was due to be played last summer but inclement weather scuppered that - but it was worth the wait for the combined Hook and Llangwm side, who came through a tense finale to deservedly win by three wickets.
Bowling first, they dismissed Maesteg for just 76, as Toby Asson proved the pick of the bowlers with fantastic figures of 4-6 in just 2.4 overs.
Aled Phelps also took 3-13 in four overs alongside Noah Davies (1-15 in four overs), Callum James (1-25 in three overs) - and despite being unlucky in picking up no wickets there was tight bowling from Phil Llewellyn (0-13 in three overs).
They were supported by excellent fielding from carefully set fields and as a result Maesteg had only three batsmen; Matthew Rogers (10), Morgan Harris (17), and Jordan Richards (16 not out), who reached double figures as they used up just 16.4 of their 20 overs.
But the chase was anything but simple for the Pembrokeshire side, who lost Ewan Griffiths (4) early, and then Aled Phelps made a brief 13 (two fours) before he also fell to leave the score 31-2.
That became 40-3 when Llewellyn (5) also fell, but then opener Noah Davies and Jacob Lay took the score to 62 - with victory in sight.
But panic seemed to set in as Lay (11), Tom Carrington (0), and James (1) all fell as Steffan Roberts (3-7) and Elis Bird (2-10) set up an exciting finish - and it left Davies and Jonathan Clout needing 8 runs for victory.
And with Morgan Hughes and George John waiting nervously to bat, the pair got their team over the line with four balls to spare, with Davies finishing 24 not out off 49 balls (one four), and Clout 3 not out in four balls.
It meant glory for the Crusaders, who won't have long before attention turns to defending their title later this summer!
The Cleddau Crusaders would like to thank clubs, businesses and individuals who have sponsored them last season en route to the final - Llangwm Cricket Club, Hook Cricket Club, Pembroke County Cricket Club, Paul Webb, Hair by Shan, Sue Waller Driving Instructor, The Cottage, GG Thomas and Son, and Meadow Carpets.
SCORECARD:
Maesteg Celtic innings:
Steffan Roberts b Noah Davies 8
Matthew Rogers b Aled Phelps 10
Dafydd James ct Jonathon Clout b Callum James 4
Morgan Harris run out (Tom Carrington) 17
Jordan Richards not out 16
Thomas Davies b Aled Phelps 4
Elis Bird lbw b Toby Asson 6
Louis Cirotto b Aled Phelps 5
Matthew Colston b Toby Asson 0
Luke Wilson ct Noah Davies b Toby Asson 1
Adam Lawler b Toby Asson 0
Extras: 5.
Total: 76 all out (in 16.4 overs)
Hook Bowling:
Noah Davies 4-0-15-1; Callum James 3-0-25-1; Aled Phelps 4-0-3-13; Phil Llewellyn 3-0-13-0; Toby Asson 2.4-0-6-4.
Hook Innings:
Noah Davies not out 24
Ewan Griffiths b Dafydd James 2
Aled Phelps ct Matthew Rodgers b Steffan Roberts 13
Phil Llewellyn ct Matthew Rodgers b Adam Lawler 5
Jacob Lay b Elis Bird 11
Tom Carrington lbw b Elis Bird 0
Toby Asson b Steffan Roberts 4
Callum James st Jordan Richards b Steffan Roberts 1
Jonathon Clout not out 3
Morgan Hughes did not bat
George John did not bat
Extras: 14.
Total: 77 for 7 (in 19.2 overs)
Maesteg Celtic Bowling:
Luke Wilson 3.2-1-1-40; Dafydd James 2-0-14-1; Adam Lawler 4-0-11-1; Steffan Roberts 4-1-7-3; Thomas Davies 2-0-1-20; Louis Cirotto 2-0-7-0; Elis Bird 2-0-10-2.