Carew and Hundleton move into the 2023 Final
Match One:
Rooks ease through in tense local derby
Carew (136 for 5) beat Cresselly (125 for 9) by 11 runs
Holders Carew moved into the final again as they resisted a stern challenge from neighbours Cresselly in a hard-fought semi-final as they scored a reasonable total and then held their nerve at the end, with both teams adding to the tension as they respectively conceded extras totalling 33 and 29, mainly from wide deliveries!
Steve Cole was the mainstay of the Carew innings as the veteran opener stroked four fours and a six in his 41 and after Logan Hall had departed early, bowled by Ollie Arthur, his brother Ethan joined Cole in a stand of 38 before Cole was shifted by Iori Thomas.
Ethan batted throughout the rest of the innings for his excellent undefeated 37 (three fours and two sixes) and Jac Scourfield (16) was the only other batsman in double figures before he fell to Dylan John with the assistance of a Griff Jenkins’ catch. Dai Rees finished with 8 not out as the Cresselly bowlers John (2 for 35), Arthur (1 for 16), Thomas (1 for 28) and Tom Rowland (1 for 51) completed their five-over stints.
Cresselly lost experienced opener Damien Arthur (6) bowled by Ethan Hall but there were cameos from Dylan John (16), Iori Thomas and Neil Lewis (both 14) alongside a top score of 26 (two sixes) by Ollie Arthur.
But no-one was able to stay long enough against Logan Hall (1 for 30), Ethan Hall (2 for 45), Madoc Evans (2 for 32) and especially Dan Heaps (4 for 14) to make a major impact and Cresselly finished up 12 runs short of victory and Carew were just about good value for victory.
Match Two:
Narberth’s batting collapses as Williamson causes chaos
Narberth (80 all out) lost to Hundleton (82 for 2) by 8 wickets
Narberth’s hopes of a final appearance on home turf were ruined from the outset against Hundleton’s experienced attack which saw the home side lurch to 43 for 7 before Gary Nicholas took them to a still-modest total of 82 all out with 42 not out (four fours and two sixes).
Nicholas was joined by Ashley Williams (10) as the only other batsman in double figures as Craig Williams finished on 3 for 13 and skipper Ben Adams grabbed 3 for 14 from their combined ten overs, supported by Leighton O’Connor (1 for 17 in 5 overs), Steff Williams (0 for 17 in 3) and Elliott Midgley (0 for 12 in 2).
Hundleton went on the attack from their first ball as Paul Fox hit out and skipper Adams dropped anchor before he was dismissed for 7, bowled by Ryan Williams, who also bowled Fox for 25 (three fours and a six) with Craig Williamson also starting well the score was already on 39.
Williamson (20 not out) was joined by Jonathan Williams 15 not out as Ryan Williams (2 for 25) was the only successful bowler with 2 for 25 from his five overs - and Hundleton were home and dry in only 13.3 of their allotted 20 overs.
