Neyland maintain five-year winning streak (From Western Telegraph)

Neyland maintain five-year winning streak

9:57am Thursday 21st February 2013 in Sport

Neyland completed five years of dominance in the Pembroke County Cricket Club indoor league competition as they beat previous winners Whitland in a tense final pushing the opposition below Haverfordwest and into third spot.

But it wasn’t plain sailing for Sean Hannon’s team because although they only needed 70 to win against Whitland there was still 30 needed in the last three overs, no mean feat with Matthew Davies, David Dunfee and Co bowling well.

Sean Hannon received the trophy from Bill Carne, who thanked organiser Wendy Bradshaw, umpires Alan Hansen and John Williams, scorer Kirsty Hughes, John and Janet Sheppard for their support and the players for playing so well. Sponsor Nick Evans, of the Cricket Shop, arrived after coaching junior cricket in The Thornton Sports Hall and he also congratulated Neyland on their continued success.

There was the possibility of a three-way tie if Haverfordwest beat Whitland and then Whitland overcame Neyland, and that scenario was in the pipeline, as The Town were victorious by 14 runs but Whitland went down with four balls remaining against Neyland.

Match one: Haverfordwest (95 for 2) beat Whitland (81 for 5) In the opening match Haverfordwest batted first against Neyland since they were awaiting the arrival of two of their players – and they lost Josh Hicks after he had blasted a six but got run out to a good throw by Dave Lee.

Clive Tucker, batting in the unaccustomed role of No 3, chipped in with 14 before he was also run out by keeper Adam Davies. His demise brought together club and vice captains Danny Potter and Ben Field, who put on 50 together before both had to retire, having reached 25 runs. There was just time for Richard James and Simon Holliday to add a few runs to a final scoreline of 95 for 2, a reasonable but not hugely challenging tally.

Whitland lost Iestyn Scourfield early but they appeared in control as skipper Matthew Davies and Dave Lee shared a halfcentury stand before retiring. Good bowling by Clive Tucker and Josh Hicks restricted the efforts of David Dunfee, Dan James and Adam Davies. Their demise brought Davies back to the crease but after reaching 36 he was well caught by Ben Field off Tucker and The Town were worthy winners.

Haverfordwest batting:

Danny Potter retired . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Josh Hicks run out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Clive Tucker run out . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Ben Field retired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Richard James not out . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Simon Holliday not out . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Extras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Total (2 wickets) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Whitland bowling: Matthew Davies 0-15; Dan James 0-29; Iestyn Scourfield 0-16; Dave Lee 0-11; David Dunfee 0-17.

Whitland batting:

Matthew Davies ct Ben Field b Clive Tucker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Iestyn Scourfield ct Simon Holliday b Clive Tucker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Dave Lee not out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

David Dunfee ct Clive Tucker b Josh Hicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Dan James ct & b Josh Hicks . . . . . . . 0

Adam Davies run out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Extras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Total (5 wickets) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Haverfordwest bowling: Josh Hicks 2-15; Simon Holliday 0-19; Clive Tucker 2-12; Danny Potter 0-9; Ben Field 0-25.

Match two:

Whitland (69 for 2) lost to Neyland (70 for 2)

It was a similar story for Whitland as they took on Neyland and made an excellent start via Davies and Lee, with both having to retire on 25 as they reached 50 by the end of the fifth over.

But then the rest of the Whitland batting again struggled as Neyland tightened up their bowling and fielding after twice letting Davies off the hook.

Nick Koomen almost bowled a rare maiden, but threw one wide and Whitland could only muster 13 runs in their final four overs.

Neyland had an early scare as Gregg Miller was dropped first ball but he was soon run out by a mile in a mix-up with Paul Murray, who also departed for seven runs as Dan James took a very good catch off his toes.

Andrew Miller and Koomen found it hard going as Neyland could only muster 40 runs in seven overs, needing 30 more runs off their last 18 balls. But Koomen hit a straight six and the pair ran well between the wickets so that only five runs were needed off the final over. This was achieved with ease, assisted by a wide and an overthrow, leaving Neyland as worthy winners of a highly competitive game.

Whitland batting:

Matthew Davies retired . . . . . . . . . . .26

Dave Lee retired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

David Dunfee ct Sean Hannon b Gregg Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Iestyn Scourfield not out . . . . . . . . . . .4

Dan James ct Sean Hannon b Patrick Hannon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Adam Davies not out . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0

Extras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Total (2 wickets) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Neyland bowling: Gregg Miller 1-18; Patrick Hannon 1-12; Sean Hannon 0-9; Andrew Miller 0-18; Nick Koomen 0-12.

Neyland batting:

Gregg Miller run out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Paul Murray ct Dan James b Iestyn Scourfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Andrew Miller not out . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Nick Koomen not out . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Extras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Total (2 wickets) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Whitland bowling: David Dunfee 0-5; Matthew Davies 0-16; Dan James 0-17; Iestyn Scourfield; Dave Lee 0-15.

P W L Pts

Neyland 4 4 0 8

Haverfordwest 4 3 1 6

Whitland * 4 2 2 4

Cresselly * 4 1 3 2

Pembroke Dock **4 0 4 0

*Whitland and Cresselly awarded points for non-arrival of Pembroke Dock **Pembroke Dock lost points for failing to turn up against Whitland and Cresselly.

Umpires: Alan Hansen and John Williams.

Scorers: Kirsty Hughes.