As usual we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk have chatted to well-known captains and other players about who they think will win The Bowl – and as usual there is a range of replies. So have a look now and see who you think has got it just about right!
Gordon Thomas (PembrokeshireSport.co.uk)
It could be a fascinating final because we will have many of Pembrokeshire’s finest cricketers on view, with huge hitters alongside some very experienced cricketers who have won many previous medals. And that is where Neyland hold the edge because they have over 70 appearances between them and arrive on the back of a cracking season and Lawrenny have been less consistent so that is why I think Neyland will win the Bowl for 2023.
Peter Bradshaw (St Ishmaels stalwart)
Neyland will start as red-hot favourites but Lawrenny will be eager to upset the apple-cart! Over two innings I have to go for Neyland because they are a team packed with immensely experienced players and game-changers like Ross Hardy and Nick Koomen. Harry Thomas and Kyle Marsh are key performers for Lawrenny alongside old timers in Rob Williams and Steve Lewis but they will have to be on tip-top form to win this one!
Ryan Lewis (Cresselly all-rounder)
I go for Neyland because not only are they the strongest all-round team in the county but they never seem to know when they are beaten! I watched them play Carew in the last round and they played to the conditions when they looked in trouble against another good side as young player Jack John bowled really well. Ryan Morton and Kyle Marsh are undoubtedly big players for Lawrenny but if Patrick Bellerby tees off, (injury allowed) and a side that has Brad McDermott-Jenkins at No 8 – look good to me!
Kristan Bennett (Herbrandston captain)
I know Lawrenny start as underdogs but anything can happen in a two-horse race and Neyland will have to be careful they are not over-confident because that could be their downfall. Neyland are so strong batting; bowl and field with total commitment – but I feel it is the old-timers like Steve Lewis and Rob Williams who hold the key for Lawrenny and if Kyle Marsh can go well in both innings I think they will cause an upset!
Luke Hayman (Burton captain)
I would like to say Lawrenny because it is nice if trophies are shared around a bit but I think Neyland will be too strong over two innings, despite the efforts of Harry Thomas, Kyle Marsh and Ryan Morton. For me, Ashley Sutton’s batting class could be key and alongside him the likes of Ross Hardy and Nick Koomen make Neyland my choice to win The Bowl this season!
Steve Blowes (Hon Secretary of Pembroke County Cricket Club)
I give my opinion as a cricket lover rather than a county official and I’m really looking forward to a ding-dong battle between two very good teams, played in the excellent spirit that exists between these clubs. I think it might be closer than some pundits have told me what they think but in the final analysis I think Neyland have just little bit more firepower and strength in depth – so I’ll go for them!
Matthew Kiff (Llangwm skipper)
I’m going for the underdogs – Lawrenny – because I think they have the right mix with Rob Williams and Steve Lewis’s experience alongside some very powerful batting from Kyle Marsh and Ryan Morton (who is also a threat with the ball). Neyland have real match-winners like Nick Koomen and Ross Hardy as well as plenty of others like Patrick Bellerby and Paul Murray if they have recovered from their broken fingers. I still think this could be the Year of the Underdog!
Shaun Whitfield (Carew captain)
I have to go for Neyland after their battling win against us in the semi-final when we were in with a chance but under skipper Shaun Hannon they never know when they are beaten and pressurised us into disappointing defeat. Lawrenny will have to really upset Neyland’s rhythm, which isn’t easy over two innings as they must get the likes of Nick Koomen, Patrick Bellerby and Ashley Sutton out twice – but if Ryan Morton wins the man of the match award then Lawrenny would win!
Kyle Quartermaine (Narberth captain)
Most people will go for Neyland because they are so experienced in 20-20 games, as they proved against us in the Duggie Morris Cup Final, where we led at half way but they battled back to win – but I think Lawrenny will be more street-wise than us and could win The Bowl.
They have dark horses who can win matches, none more so than Ryan Morton, one of the best 20/20 players in the county. Throw in Harry Thomas and Kyle Marsh, plus old stagers like ‘Worm’ Williams and ‘Cluey’ Lewis, and they might just edge home against Sean Hannon’s team.
Danny Caine (Saundersfoot’s big-hitting batsman):
I think this could be the year for the underdog, although I know both teams are very strong all-round – but I think Neyland will start as firm favourites to complete ‘The Treble’ but I think Lawrenny night cause a bit of a surprise if old timers like Rob Williams and Steve Lewis can keep them focussed and Ryan Morton and Kyle Marsh to do the same with their batting. Both sides have real match winners but I think most neutral watchers will cheer on Lawrenny, which could be another plus in their favour.
Bill Carne (PembrokeshireSport.co.uk)
Everything points to a Neyland win and my head says Sean Hannon’s team will achieve an amazing sweep of silverware with a win but my heart says that if Lawrenny’s big guns (and I’m not going to put pressure on them by naming them!) can fire twice against a strong bowling attack and a great fielding side then they might take the trophy over to Steve Lewis to share their joy after his serious injury kept him out of action. So I’m going with my heart and getting ready to face the wrath of the Morris Girls when I pop around for a coffee and cake!