County Youth Cricket:
Pembrokeshire County Youth (159 all out) lost to Cowbridge CC U17 (160 for 4) by 6 wickets
Venue: Carew Cricket Club
Umpires: Gareth Brace and Chris Stapleton
Pembrokeshire Kit Sponsor: Wendy and Tom Davies & Family
Pembrokeshire County Youth and Cowbridge Cricket Club U17s produced a high quality 40 overs-a-side contest enjoyed by a good crowd at a sun-blessed Carew Cricket Club.
Pembrokeshire certainly looked the part for this fixture, thanks to the kindness of Wendy and Tom Davies & family who supplied the playing kit. This was a wonderful gesture from a true cricketing family to allow the County Youth to play in the Aled Davies Memorial kit.
Pembrokeshire looked to bounce back but spin made the difference
Pembrokeshire came into the fixture hoping to bounce back from defeat against the South Wales Junior Cricket League the previous week. However, they came up against a very talented young Cowbridge team boasting several Welsh internationals and a number of regular performers in the South Wales Premier League. The Cowbridge team combined to produce a high-quality all-round performance, not least from their talented quartet of spin bowlers.
The Cowbridge coach Andrew Walker, who doubles up as the Regional Cricket Manager for Cricket Wales West, was understandably delighted with his team’s performance, justifiably so as they edged a spirited Pembrokeshire team in the batting, bowling and fielding departments. However, that should not diminish the contribution the Pembrokeshire boys made to an excellent game. They gave a wholehearted performance, showed some real skill and made Cowbridge work hard for their victory.
County make steady start before mini collapse
Having won the toss, Pembrokeshire skipper Charlie Arthur and opening partner Jack Badham made a steady start against tight bowling as they built a partnership of 40 through good running and a sprinkling of boundaries.
Ollie Morgan then made the breakthrough, Arthur falling to an exceptional catch by Jack Ryan, fielding at gulley. For Ryan, the outstanding fielder on show, it was one of those catches that would make any highlights’ reel.
Finley Lewis joined Badham at the crease as the very impressive quartet of spinners entered the fray for Cowbridge. Jonny Lowrie and Alfie Cogbill ripped through the top order to leave Pembrokeshire at a stunned 44 for 4 and in need of a rescue act after Badham, Lewis and Charlie Malloy all departed in short time.
Allen and Watkins steady the ship before Phelps shines late on
The spin quartet of Lowrie, Cogbill, Ben and Imogen Smart exerted a vice-like grip on the innings for a sustained period with a display of genuine skill and guile.
However, Ashley Watkins and Will Allen showed true grit, digging in to keep them at bay. These two played patiently and ran well between the wickets to build a stand of 50 before both fell with the score on 94, Will Allen striking two big sixes in his top score of 32. Allen fell to Cogbill, courtesy of a second outstanding catch from Ryan, this time a sharp one-handed effort at short leg.
Rhys Eynon and Rhys Phelps settled into a good partnership, taking the score to 130 before Eynon departed for 18. Phelps batted on and played an excellent innings of 31 to help take his team to a final total of 159. He showed patience, ran well and struck a big six along the way as in turn Atticus Kingston, Noah Williams and Bowyn Clark all chipped in before Phelps selflessly lost his wicket chasing late runs.
Cowbridge start positively
Following a fabulous tea provided by Carew CC, the Cowbridge openers,Theo Walker and Ollie Beveridge set out with real intent to chase down the 160 runs needed for victory. These two raced to a partnership of 33, striking some very attractive boundaries combined with immaculate defence and strong running between the wickets.
Malloy, the pick of the Pembrokeshire attack, with an excellent five-over spell, then made the crucial break through, Beveridge edging one into the gloves of Allen.
Walker continued to punish any loose bowling as he moved on to a classy 36, including 8 boundaries. He had been joined by Lowrie, these two taking the score to 63 before Bowyn Clark grabbed the wicket of Walker in a good spell of bowling.
However, Lowrie was in determined mood and alongside Ryan moved Cowbridge to within 28 of victory in a superb partnership of 79.
Lowrie and Ryan ease Cowbridge towards victory
Skipper Arthur rotated his bowlers but try as they might they couldn’t find a breakthrough as Lowrie and Ryan showed real maturity. They looked untroubled as they both struck several boundaries and manipulated the field to assuredly build a winning position for their team.
Lowrie reached 43 at which point he sportingly retired to give opportunity to his teammates. Ryan, who finished with a top quality 34 not out, was joined by Gethin Jenkins, who blasted a quick fire 18 before he was trapped lbw by Eynon as reward for a good spell of spin bowling.
Ollie Saxton looked to apply the coup de grace but fell victim to the slow stuff of Badham, Arthur taking the catch. It mattered little as Cogbill joined Ryan and these two took Cowbridge over the line to a deserved victory.
Many reasons to celebrate a good days cricket
The sun shone, young players showcased their skills and showed true spirit and enjoyment of the game, a good crowd soaked it all up. Creating opportunities for our young players to test themselves against the likes of a very talented Cowbridge side outweighs the result of any game. Andrew Walker, the Cowbridge coach, clearly has some real talent in his ranks and this shone through on the day.
For the Pembrokeshire boys there was obvious disappointment in defeat but having the chance to come together with regular cricketing adversaries is the real outcome. The mass and raucous team celebration following Jack Badham grabbing a rare wicket late on says so much about why County Youth cricket is important. The Pembrokeshire boys showed great spirit and a genuine desire to be part of this squad, which is why coaches Jon Willington and Steve Lewis continue to work hard to provide a platform for them to perform.
Pembrokeshire: Charlie Arthur (C) (Cresselly), Will Allen (WK) (Lawrenny), Ashley Watkins (Neyland), Atticus Kingston (Herbrandston), Bowyn Clark (Pembroke), Charlie Malloy (Herbrandston), Finley Lewis (Lawrenny), Jack Badham (Kilgetty), Noah Williams (Lawrenny), Rhys Eynon (Lawrenny), Rhys Phelps (Hook)
Cowbridge: Ben Smart (C), Imogen Smart, Theo Walker, Gethin Jenkins, Alfie Cogbill, Jack Ryan, Joe Phillips, Ollie Saxton, Ollie Beveridge, Ollie Morgan, Jonny Lowrie
Scorecard
Jack Badham c Alfie Cogbill b Jonny Lowrie 17
Charlie Arthur c Jack Ryan b Ollie Morgan 11
Finley Lewis c&b Jonny Lowrie 1
Ashley Watkins st Ollie Beveridge b Ben Smart 11
Charlie Malloy b Alfie Cogbill 0
Will Allen c Jack Ryan b Alfie Cogbill 32
Rhys Eynon c Gethin Jenkins b Imogen Smart 18
Rhys Phelps c Alfie Cogbill b Jonny Lowrie 31
Atticus Kingston b Imogen Smart 2
Noah Williams c Theo Walker b Ollie Morgan 3
Bowyn Clark not out 5
Extras 28
Total: 159 all out
Cowbridge Bowling: Joe Phillips 4-0-22-0; Ollie Morgan 8-1-27-2; Jonny Lowrie 5.2-1-14-3; Alfie Cogbill 8-2-21-2; Ben Smart 7-1-39-1; Imogen Smart 6-0-19-2
Cowbridge Batting:
Theo Walker c Will Allen b Bowyn Clark 36
Ollie Beveridge c Will Allen b Charlie Malloy 14
Jonny Lowrie retired not out 43
Jack Ryan not out 34
Gethin Jenkins lbw Rhys Eynon 18
Ollie Saxton c Charlie Arthur b Jack Badham 0
Alfie Cogbill not out 2
Extras 13
Total: 160 for 4
Pembrokeshire Bowling: Charlie Malloy 5-1-8-1; Noah Williams 3-0-27-0; Bowyn Clark 5-0-31-1; Charlie Arthur 4-0-13-0; Rhys Eynon 7-0-18-1; Rhys Phelps 5-0-28-0; Atticus Kingston 2-0-13-0; Jack Badham 1-0-13-1; Finley Lewis 0.4-0-2-0