Pembroke County Cricket Club Under 15 Junior league Final
Kilgetty (97-8) beat Neyland (61 all out) by 36 runs
Umpires: Glyn Pawlett & Robert Ridge
Scorers: Hazel Poole & John Laugharne
Coaches: Stuart Allen & Ian Milsom
Venue: St Ishmaels CC
Sponsor: Colin John - Llewelyn Davies & Co, Chartered Accountants
Neyland won the toss and invited Kilgetty to bat and they could not have wished for a better start with Harry Nicholas bowling Tom Cole with the first ball of the game. William Hughes kept things tight at the other end and with Nicholas picking up another wicket in his third over, Kilgetty were 17-2 after 5 overs.
It was then that umpires Ridge and Pawlett had to bring the players off for rain and although restarting shortly, another shower forced play to stop again. It was their determination, together with both teams and coaches' enthusiasm to get the game played, that succeeded in getting a result on the night.
Kilgetty battle back with the bat . . .
Having returned to the field of play for the 3rd occasion, it was now the turn of Kilgetty to fight back with Matthew Lewis (11 ), Ollie Gamble (26, including one six), Kairon Allen (15 ) and with Harri Phillips (15) not out at the end, together with 19 extras, Kilgetty finished on 96-8. For Neyland, Harry Nicholas finished with 2-17, William Hughes 1-10, Ben Fairbairn 3-21, Ieuan Hawkins 1-6 and Jake Booth 1-6.. . . And run amok with the ball
Opinion was divided at the interval whether this was enough runs against what was a strong Neyland batting line up. However Stuart Allen's half time team talk did the trick and Kilgetty came out in determined mood and in an inspired spell of bowling of four overs each by paceman Ryan Morton (2-9), who bowled a good length and line and the guile, and craft of spinner Ollie Gamble (3-14), together with two wickets from Matthew Lewis' first over, left Neyland in tatters at 29 for 8 in 9 overs, with no batsman in double figures.
Neyland fight-back too late
It was only Ben Mathias and Jay Power who batted resolutely and took the game to Kilgetty that temporarily raised the Neyland hopes. With time and overs running out Mathias (17) was bowled by Kairon Allen and with the inevitable run out in the chase for runs, Power was left undefeated on 11. Lewis ended up with 2-15, Allen 1-3 and Tristan Thomas 1-12.This left Kilgetty as deserved winners for an excellent all-round team performance.
Well done Martin Jones
In the presentation after the match, Martin Jones (Junior Organiser) thanked St Ishmaels for hosting the final, the officials, Glyn Pawlett, Robert Ridge, scorers Hazel Poole and John Laugharne, groundsmen; Mel Williams and Chris Bradshaw. He also thanked Wendy Bradshaw and Pat Williams for laying on a tremendous tea for the players after the game, which was sponsored by Ian Milsom of Haven Fish Restaurant. He congratulated both sides on getting to the final with both teams being a credit to themselves, their clubs and coaches and the way the game was played in a competitive manner but in an excellent spirit and good sportsmanship.
Special presentations round off a great match
The plaques and runners-up shield were presented by Colin John, League sponsor, who was thanked for his generous support of Pembrokeshire cricket. The winners’ trophy was donated by the late Stan Richards and John Bowen family 42 years ago . Tom Richards also gave a short speech highlighting the fact that both his father and John Bowen were keen sportsmen and supporters of youth cricket. In fact over the 42 years, over 900 youngsters had played in the final, let alone those who had played in the league itself.
In a unique moment of history the great-grandson of John Bowen, fourth generation Ollie Rees, aged 9, presented the trophy to the winning captain of Kilgetty - Ollie Gamble. It's worth noting that young Ollie Rees is himself a keen sportsman, is following in his grandfather’s footsteps, and is a member of the successful Hook CC academy.