Town retain trophy

Haverfordwest re-tained the Duggie Morris Cup with victory over Pembroke in a match that was ruined by rain which swept in and curtailed play as The Town were beginning to build another big score after taking a first-innings lead of 90 runs.

The match had already been postponed once and both clubs agreed that, should it be cut short, then the result would be decided on the scoring rate over the first 15 overs, with Haverfordwest taking the game by the scruff of the neck from the first over after being asked to bat first by Pembroke skipper Matthew Mitchell.

Pembroke's cause wasn't helped by their inability to hold catches and some sloppy ground fielding that gave runs aplenty to Phil Kirkby and Daniel Potter in a Haverfordwest opening stand of 108 at almost ten runs an over.

Kirkby was dropped four times and made Pembroke pay with nine fours and three sixes en route to 67 in only 38 balls before he was bowled by canny off-spinner Nigel Phillips.

Potter was eventually bowled by Anton John for 41 in 38 deliveries but there was no relaxation for Pembroke because Karl Rhead and Steve Phillips maintained the momentum in an unbroken partnership of 67 in six overs.

Rhead stroked two fours and a six in his 28 from only 24 balls while Phillips showed how to chip and run as he moved quickly to 36 in only 20 balls - and Pembroke's cause wasn't helped by the fact that they bowled 18 wides.

Pembroke's hopes of a big score suffered early set-backs as Potter telescoped an arm to catch Barry Evans at mid-wicket off Simon Williams for only three runs, Dan Scourfield was bowled by Kirkby for a duck and Phil Hay (7) chipped Clive Tucker to Steve Phillips in the gully to leave Pembroke on 31 for 3 in eight overs.

Matthew Mitchell managed to hit three fours and a big straight six in a stand of 66 with Colin Kaijaks, who also struck a lovely six before he was bowled by Steve Phillips for 34 made at a run a ball.

But Mitchell was unable to find the scope that saw him smash a century in the semi-final at Llangwm and he finished undefeated on 46 from 55 balls as Adrian Griffiths removed Will Davies and Nigel Phillips for ducks to leave Pembroke on 102 for 6 from their 20 overs.

Haverfordwest openers Kirkby (26) and Potter (13) moved sweetly to 44 without loss after six overs of their second innings when the heavens opened in earnest and play was abandoned. County Club chairman Stanley Richards introduced Graham Morris, who presented the trophy to Haverfordwest skipper Adrian Griffiths, while Burton stalwarts Jim Phillips and Brian Griffiths decided that Phil Kirkby should be awarded the man of the match trophy donated as usual by Winston and Beryl Griffiths.

This success meant that Haverfordwest celebrated their winning of seven trophies out of eight on offer since Adrian Griffiths took over as captain and although Pembroke were a little disappointed by their performance they have the consolation of having a number of promising youngsters and gaining promotion this season, and can now look forward to taking on the likes of Haverfordwest every Saturday in the 2006 campaign.

Umpires: Bob Flute and Dai Morris. Scorers: Jayne Cole and Sean Powell. Venue: Oatfield Park, Burton.

FIRST INNINGS HAVERFORDWEST P. Kirkby b N. Phillips 67 D. Potter lbw b A. John 41 K. Rhead not out 28 S. Phillips not out 36 Extras 20 Total (for 2 wkts) 192 Bowling: G. Griffiths 4-0-38-0; P. Phillips 4-0-26-1; D. Williams 4-0-44-0; N. Phillips 4-0-26-1; A. John 4-0-43-1.

PEMBROKE M. Mitchell not out 46 B. Evans ct D. Potter b S. Williams 3 D. Scourfield b P. Kirkby 0 P. Hay ct S. Phillips b C. Tucker 7 C. Kaijaks b S. Phillips 34 W. Davies ct D. Potter b A. Griffiths 0 N. Phillips st H. Scriven b A. Griffiths 0 G. Griffiths not out 0 Extras 12 Total (for 6wkts) 102 Bowling: S. Williams 4-1-12-1; P. Kirkby 4-2-11-1; C. Tucker 2-0-17-1; A. Griffiths 4-0-17-2; S. Phillips 4-0-20-1; M. Johns 2-0-16-0.

SECOND INNINGS HAVERFORDWEST P. Kirkby not out 26 D. Potter not out 13 Extras 5 Total 44 Bowling: G. Griffiths 3-0-18-0; P. Phillips 3-0-26-0.