Llangwm start as favourites in unusual final says Fraser Watson
It’s a preview I never thought I’d be writing.Not because of the teams involved. Llangwm have long been a dangerous proposition in the shorter format, while The Town’s recent history at Pembrokeshire cricket’s big day is renowned. Since 2010 they’ve graced this occasion five times, winning on three of them.
But over the last decade I, like many others, never contemplated the prospect of them being relegated from Division 1. Their league struggles this season, coupled with the fact Llangwm finished second, means that it’s Matthew Kiff’s side who undoubtedly go into Saturday as favourites.
Llangwm have match-winners aplenty
They have numerous players who can take the game away from opposition with the bat. The skipper himself is one of them, as he showed against Carew last weekend.
Openers Will Beresford and Noah Davies can do the same, so can the likes of Jo Kiff, Steve Mills, Luke Brock, and even Ollie Davies in the lower order. And if Steve Inward plays, which I fully expect him too, then they have another dimension, as his 92 not out in the semi-final against Lawrenny showed.
That night, they plundered 198-2 in their 22 overs. That should serve as a warning to Saturday’s opponents.
Mills will be equally critical with the ball, while I feel good spells will be needed from Chris Inward, Joe Phillips and Davies too. Especially against some of The Town’s key players.
Haverfordwest have multiple Bowl Final players
Indeed, no one can write Haverfordwest off. Experience does matter on an occasion like this. And their current line-up not only boasts players with multiple Bowl wins to their name - Dai Davies, Ben Field, Danny Potter, Clive Tucker, Adam James if he plays - but also a host of players who won in their maiden final in 2019.
A very similar line-up was also well beaten by Neyland a year later, but it’s no bad thing to have an understanding of the highs and lows of this occasion. They are more familiar with the format of two innings, and the pressure that builds as the day goes on.
Two players for me, or two wickets shall I say, will be critical.
Adam James rocked up at the 2019 final with little cricket under his belt. He hit knocks of 84 and 81, and helped Haverfordwest not only defy their status as underdogs, but also overturn an interval deficit to win the Bowl. If he plays Saturday, the potential for him to do similar will be there - and his team may need him too.
Captain Davies is also as composed a batsman on this stage as I’ve seen. As he showed in the last-eight against Kilgetty, and semi against Herbie (knock of 48 not out and 42 not out), he can steady an innings and then accelerate it when needed.
Field and Danny Potter are also proven winners, and performers, on this stage. Clive Tucker too. The latter’s role as slow bowler could prove important, as Llangwm’s batsman will inevitably go after him. Jonny White and Ashley James have also got big jobs to do with the ball.
Will history repeat itself?
The last time Llangwm reached this final was 2013. Ironically, they were beaten and also relegated - a scenario The Town are now out to avoid.
Logic points to Kiff and co making amends for that loss this Saturday, and my head says they will. But past experience means Haverfordwest won’t be fazed by what I, or anyone else thinks. They’ve had a poor season - but are still capable of salvaging a massive consolation from it.
A season to remember for Llangwm – and one to forget for The Town? A question posed by Bill Carne
When the new cricket season began on Sunday, 24th April 2002, the first division results showed that Haverfordwest smashed Saundersfoot by 146 runs and Cresselly overwhelmed Llangwm by an even bigger margin of 226 runs.The previous season had seen The Town in mid table and Llangwm having been champions of division two after relegation the season before that so some local pundits were already thinking that 2022 could well see Haverfordwest doing reasonably well and Llangwm struggling at the foot of the table.
But how wrong they were because The Town have been relegated for the first time in 45 years and Llangwm have had a blinding season and deservedly finished in second spot behind Cresselly!
Icing on the cake for Llangwm or consolation for The Town?
So this Saturday’s Harrison-Allen Bowl Final takes on added significance because for Llangwm it could really put the icing on the cake and for Haverfordwest it might give them some consolation for a miserable season as they go into Saturday’s game as underdogs.
We always say that one man doesn’t make a team but there is no doubt that Haverfordwest are eager for Adam James to play because he is a thunderous game changer, as he proved two years ago when he blitzed knocks of 80+ in both innings! Can he last two innings of batting, and being in the field for some time in between, are the questions that inevitably crop up.
They have other very experienced batsmen like skipper Dai Davies, who had two good innings against Narberth and Lawrenny, Ben Field (64 against Herbie), possibly Danny Potter and Mikey Jones but it is a team in transition and so another key player, at 50 years of age, could be canny slow bowler Clive Tucker.
Llangwm look so strong overall
In sharp contrast, it is hard to see many weaknesses in the Llangwm line-up because they have proven run-gatherers in Steve Inward (92 in a narrow win at Lawrenny), Joe and Matthew Kiff (who has led the team really well), and Will Beresford, whilst Noah Davies, Chris Inward, Ollie Davies, Luke Brock and especially Steve Mills could excel with bat and ball
Then there is talented young fast bowler Joe Phillips to try and knock over big Jamer early on so it is hard to see beyond Llangwm – but there is no doubt that Haverfordwest have greater experience in a two-innings a side matches so they have a glimmer of hope which could burst into light if they can find inspiration from their iconic main player!
I have to go against my home-town team says Gordon Thomas
Tipping the winner of Pembrokeshire’s premier cricket final is never easy but this season’s big day seems easy on paper as Llangwm start as hot favourites and I can’t see them losing if both they and Haverfordwest play to their full potential.As much as I don’t like tipping against my home-town team it is easy to see why they are clear underdogs because Llangwm are a team of players who are able to contribute with both bat and ball – and are very competitive in the field, too.
Llangwm have strength in depth
Just look at the Kiff and Inward brothers, Steve Mills, Will Beresford, Noah Davies and Luke Brock and it a very strong limited-over formation which can bat and bowl as Ollie Davies and Joe Phillips are also useful.
They have been superb in coming second in the table, beating off the challenge of Narberth, Carew and Neyland in the process, whilst Haverfordwest have only won five of their 15 games completed and on paper had the easier draw in The Bowl.
The Town are in transition
There is a hard core of experience in The Town team, with skipper Dai Davies, Ben Field, Chris Phillips and Mikey Jones, whilst Archie Thomas and Ashley James are big hitters – and Danny Potter could lend his wide experience in batting and tactics if he is included.
But in the final analysis Adam James is the key component in The Town’s plans but his fitness is an intriguing talking point over four innings of a long day. We can never down-play his mauling of Lawrenny in a previous final – but can lightning strike twice? We shall find out on Saturday!