D.R. Morris Cup Semi-Final:
Carew (133 for 4) beat Whitland (112 for 5) by 21 runs
Umpires: Steve Blowes & Neil Thomas
Scorers: Julie Davies & Ann-Marie Jenkins
Venue: The Racecourse, Haverfordwest
Carew moved into their first Duggie Morris Cup Final since 2009 as they beat Whitland by 21 runs in a relatively low-scoring game at Haverfordwest.Stand-in Rooks skipper Ceri Brace, deputising for injured captain Shaun Whitfield, won the toss and elected to bat first before his team reached 133 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs: a decent-enough tally but not one considered by the pundits as being out of reach of Jonathan Thomas’s team.
But then Carew bowled and fielded so well that Whitland could only muster 112 for 4, with only Geraint Jones ever looking comfortable and, amazingly, he was the only batsman in their line-up that was able to reach the boundary at all!
Slowish start before Luke Hicks scattered the field
Carew made a slow but steady start, with 28 runs on the board in their eighth over, before in-form opener Nick Davies was neatly stumped by Dylan Blain off Wayne Howells.It brought together the first of the Hicks boys, Louis and Luke, who certainly raised the tempo with a string of strong shots before Lewis went for a third boundary, played and missed and damaged his shoulder so he had to retire hurt with 24 to his name.
Tim Hicks came and went for 2, adjudged lbw to Thomas but Luke Hicks blasted the ball with great effect, three sixes coming in four deliveries alongside a fourth a little later to go with three fours before he was finally caught by Gwion Howell off Scott Newton with a splendid 54 made in only 25 balls.
Rhys Davies (run out for 11 seeking a third run), Iori Hicks (not out) and James Hinchliffe (9 not out) scurried late runs and Carew settled for 133 for 4 as Wayne Howells (1 for 14), Newton (1 for 31) and Thomas (1 for 9) were Whitland’s successful bowlers.
Whitland needed a good start . . .
Whitland knew they needed a strong start but lost Blain for 2, bowled by Rhys Davies, and although Jacob Owen gave Geraint Jones the strike as often as possible he eventually departed for 7, caught and bowled by Sam Harts.But it was Jones who provided hope for The Borderers as he blitzed four superb sixes, two of them on the trot, and a boundary but when he reached 38 out of 49 runs he attempted one big hit too many and was well caught by Sam Harts off Iori Hicks to give Carew a huge boost.
. . . . But were unable to find much momentum
The Rooks really tightened the screw so that Ceri Brace conceded only 14 runs from four overs, Rhys Davies had 1 for 18 and Iori Hicks 1 for 21 as Whitland fell further behind the required run rate.
Jonathan Thomas ended up on 31 not out and Scott Newton chipped in with 17 but there was only one over where Whitland managed double figures – and that was the third over.
So Carew proved good value for victory and they must now wait to see whether it is Lawrenny or Llangwm, who are playing at Pembroke Dock on Thursday evening, who they will meet at Burton for the final.
SCORECARD:
Carew Batting:
Nick Davies st Dylan Blain b Wayne Howells 14
Louis Hicks retired hurt 24
Luke Hicks ct Gwion Howell b Scott Newton 54
Tim Hicks lbw b Jonathan Thomas 2
Rhys Davies run out 11
Iori Hicks not out 10
James Hinchliffe not out 9
Extras 9
Total (4 wickets) 133
Whitland Bowling:
Connor Bowen 4-0-16-0; Wayne Howells 4-0-14-1; Gethin Scourfield 4-0-39-0; Scott Newton 4-0-31-1; Geraint Jones 2-0-16-0; Jonathan Thomas 2-0-9-1
Whitland batting:
Dylan Blain b Rhys Davies 2
Jacob Owen ct & b Sam Harts 7
Geraint Jones ct Sam Harts b Iori Hicks 38
Jonathan Thomas not out 31
Gwion Howell b James Hinchliffe 6
Scott Newton ct Rhys Davies b James Hinchliffe 17
Jack Bowen not out 1
Extras 10
Total (5 wickets) 112
Carew Bowling:
Sam Harts 4-0-24-1; Rhys Davies 4-0-18-1; Ceri Brace 4-0-14-0; Iori Hicks 4-0-21-1; James Hinchliffe 4-0-30-2