National Village Cup Competition:
Neyland v Clipstone & Bilsthorpe (57 for 2) – match abandoned
Umpires: Steve Sessions & Allan Hansen
Justice was done at Neyland as they beat Clipstone and Bilsthorpe to move into the last eight of the National Village Cup competition – although it was a pity that the result ultimately had to be decided at the indoor facility at Neyland Community Hub, where the homesters won a tense bowling completion by 4-1.
Neyland had missed out on winning when the teams met last week in South Staffordshire when rain intervened with the umpires deciding that play couldn’t be continued at a time when Sean Hannon’s boys needed only nine runs from three overs – hence the rematch in Pembrokeshire today.
Rain was again a nuisance after heavy morning rain had caused the captains and match officials to agree on a 15-overs per side tussle but after skipper Hannon had won the toss and invited the opposition to bat first it poured again with Clipstone on 57 for 2.
Decision made for an indoor bowl-out
So it was a move indoors for the next stage of events in such circumstances, which is the match decided by the aggregate score of all 11 designated players bowling at a single stump from 22 yards.
Like a penalty shoot-out in football, both teams had to nominate their bowling order and a large crowd attended to witness a first in local cricket.
Gregg Miller was marginally off target with Neyland’s first attempt but his opposite number put his delivery well down the leg-side – and there were huge cheers as Ross Hardy connected with his accurate delivery and his opposite number missed.
There was a similar result from the next four deliveries as Patrick Hannon missed but Brad McDermott-Jenkins was on target as both opposition bowlers missed again to give Neyland a 2-0 lead.
Nick Koomen was unable to increase Neyland’s lead but Nathan Banner knocked the stump over to add another home success and although Ian Woodall’s slow delivery reduced the deficit there were cheers of relief when Patrick Bellerby found the target and Clipston again missed.
Sean Hannon also missed but when another Clipstone bowler was well wide of the mark it meant that in golf terms, their 4-1 lead made Neyland dormy three with only Andrew Miller and Ashley Sutton not needed to turn their relieved arms over.
And finally . . .
Neyland’s success now sees them travel even further next Sunday (17th July) for their quarter final against South Wingfield, in Derbyshire, another team making their first appearance in the last eight.
There is a slight problem because Neyland are currently victims of their own success because they are also due to meet Clydach in the Welsh Cup – but hopefully Cricket Wales will recognise their success in flying the Welsh Flag and allow a delay to this match.
PembrokeshireSport.co would like to congratulate the players and everyone at the club, including officials, Peter ‘Jack’ Davies as team manager and Martin Jones as unsung hero who helps off stage and also takes the photograph included here – plus Tom Pritchard for organising the video recording of the shoot-out at such short notice!
On Target for Neyland:
