Third successive win for Town

Haverfordwest Seconds became only the second team in the long history of the Alec Colley Cup to win the cup for three successive years as they proved too strong overall for their counterparts from St Ishmaels.

But as Town skipper Colin Williams said in accepting the trophy, Tish belied the fact that they play three divisions lower with a performance of character and determination that had Haverfordwest worried at the half-way stage, when they held just a 12-run advantage.

Tish captain Rob Cockburn won the toss and asked Haverfordwest to bat first - and The Town were soon in trouble at 32 for 4 wickets as Kevin Bowen and Michael Cockburn caused early problems after key run-maker Danny Potter had run himself out just when he looked settled.

Paul Luke also departed for 15 to a Riggs' catch butt teenager Simon James showed what a talented batsman he is with seven fours in an excellent partnership of 63 with Steve Price, called in as a late replacement but showing his worth with 18 invaluable runs before he was neatly stumped by Robbie Riggs.

James moved sweetly to 48 in only 34 deliveries but was then run out by a throw from Lennie Rees when a half century seemed a certainty.

Tish made a good start in reply as Michael Cockburn and Liam Duffield put on 25 before the latter was bowled for 18 by Danny Dewstowe.

Mark Davies also batted sensibly and at 66 for 1 in 12 overs, Tish were very much in the hunt until Micky Phillips and Colin Williams put their experience to good use in tight spells.

Michael Cockburn was run out by a fine throw and direct hit by Alex Kemp when the youngster had scored 28 runs - and although Kevin Bowen chipped in with 16 not out and another good teenager in Ashley Findlay crashed 16 not out at the end, Haverfordwest were still able to hold on to an advantage of a dozen runs at the half-way stage.

Whatever skipper Williams said at the interval it certainly had an effect because openers Richard James and Danny Potter were in impressive form as they put on 74 runs in good time, with quickly-run singles and the bad ball despatched to the fence.

Potter was first to go for 33 (six fours), bowled by another Tish prospect for the future in 16-year-old Daniel Flynn and James reached 48 before he was caught by Riggs off Thomas Richards, the third 15-year-old in the Tish camp.

Paul Luke again contributed with an unbeaten 19 and as Jamie Jenkins chipped in with 19 also - and Danny Dewstowe provided a late impetus as he smashed two big sixes into the hedge before being run out off the last ball of the innings. Thomas Richards was the pick of the Tish bowlers with 2 for 29 but his side were left a sizeable target of 154 to gain a surprise victory.

This tally became even harder to attain as Colin Williams removed danger men Liam Duffield and Mark Davies, and Dewstowe shifted Michael Cockburn to reduce Tish to 24 for 3 but brave batting by Ashley Findlay and especially Daniel Flynn (22) kept them plugging away.

Williams finished his stint with 3 for 26 and Simon James claimed 2 for 17 as Tom Richards remained unbeaten on 19.

Lenny Rees gave the Tish crowd something to cheer with his first-ever six, a straight drive into the sight-screen at the railway end before he was neatly stumped by Mike Hooper. Robbie Riggs was run-out with the score on 110 to give Haverfordwest victory by 43 runs, with Simon James awarded the 'Man of the Match' trophy donated by Mike and Pat Lees for his first-innings knock and overall contribution that was recognised by adjudicator Dave Morris, the County Club vice-chairman.

County Club chairman Phil Thomas congratulated both teams on producing a good final, and he thanked Kevin Jenkins and his helpers for the good wicket and use of the facilities, including an excellent tea provided by Helen Hughes. He also thanked the excellent umpires and scorers - and after congratulating Haverfordwest on their hat-trick the loudest cheer of the day was reserved for when he congratulated Tish for their part in the final.