DR Morris Cup Round 1: Neyland (134-5) beat Cresselly (122 all out) by 12 runs

Neyland's hopes of winning a fifth straight DR Morris Cup are up and running after they overcame Cresselly in a tight contest at The Athletic Ground last night.

Sean Hannon's men posted 134-8 in their 20 overs, largely thanks to 56 from opener Paul Murray, although they lost their way somewhat after appearing well set at 70-1.

But despite racing to 23-0 after three overs, the home attack tied down Cresselly in their reply, and despite 46 from Iwan Izzard, they were all out in the final over for 122.

After being put into bat, Murray got his side going by launching Neil Gregory for a maximum in the third over, before stroking back to back boundaries off Tom Arthur.

But in the fifth over Gregory had Murray's opening partner, Ashley Sutton, caught in the deep by Ryan Lewis for 5 to leave the holders 34-1.

Murray and No 3 Andrew Miller built steadily until in the 11th over, the latter was stumped for 29 after sharp work from Cresselly keeper Neilson Cole off the bowling of Matthew Lewis.

And that prompted a flurry of wickets, as an inspired spell from Mike Shaw saw him bowl Nick Koomen (2) and have Stephen Murray (2) caught by Arthur - before the same bowler trapped Henry Durrant (0) LBW to leave Neyland 80-5.

Paul Murray tried to respond with a big six off Simon Cole, but after reaching his half century, he then became Shaw's fourth victim thanks to a brilliant one handed catch on the boundary by Ryan Lewis.

Gregg Miller then launched a big six off Cole in the 17th over, but two balls later 'Snowy' responded by bowling Sean Hannon to leave Neyland 102-7.

That became 107-8 after a mix up between Miller and Luke Ryan saw the latter run out - and the home side then went into the final over on 116-8 after Jamie Smith joined Miller at the crease.

But crucially, both Miller (29 not out) and Smith (11 not out) hit sixes off Ryan Lewis as Neyland took 18 off their last six balls, to finish 134-8.

For Cresselly, Shaw finished with 4-14, Gregory 1-22, Lewis 1-23, and Cole 1-23.

Izzard then got the run chase off to a swift start as he cracked three fours as him and Adam Chandler took 25 off the first three overs, but then Chandler (5) was caught by Sutton at mid-on off Koomen.

And that prompted somewhat of a squeeze by Hannon and his side, and in the eighth over, Alex Bayley was bowled by Geraint Rees for 2 to make it 35-2.

Izzard and Matthew Webb then put on 33 but by the time Webb was run out for 12 in the 14th over, Cresselly were 68-3 and well behind the rate.

And that immediately became 68-4 when Ryan Lewis was caught first ball by Gregg Miller off the bowling of Smith.

Just two further runs were added before the big wicket of Izzard, caught behind by Hannon off Smith again for 46, and although Matthew Lewis came in and upped the ante with a four and a big six, he was then caught by Luke Ryan off Koomen for 15.

Neilson Cole was run out for 4, and although Mike Shaw came in and struck a maximum off Koomen, the latter then had him caught by Stephen Murray for 8 to leave Cresselly 104-8, and the contest all but over.

The visitors went into the final over needing 21 to win, but any glimmer of hope was dashed off the second ball when Rees had Simon Cole (12) stumped by Hannon.

No 11 Neil Gregory hit a defiant six off the penultimate ball, before he too was stumped by Hannon as he charged down the track, leaving Rees with figures of 3-29.

Also for Neyland, Koomen ended with 3-24, and Smith 2-25.

Umpires: Robert Ridge and Neil Croucher.

Scorers: John Laugharne and Janice Webb.

DR Morris Cup Round 1: Kilgetty (125-6) lost to Whitland (169-5) by 44 runs

Whitland also booked their passage into round two with a comfortable win at Kilgetty.

The Borderers posted 169-5, perhaps a below par score given they were 116-1 in 12 overs before the home side battled back somewhat.

The top three of Dylan Blain (57), Geraint Jones (28), and Jonathan Thomas (40) all scored quickly, with Kilgetty wickets shared between Ollie Gamble (2-35), Kurtis Marsh (1-30), Kyle Marsh (1-15), and Andrew Evans (1-11).

Kyle Marsh (42) top scored in the Kilgetty reply, and there were contributions from Kurtis Marsh (24) and Jack Tucker (15) - but in truth, the home side never looked like reaching their target as Iestyn Scourfield (1-22), Scott Newton (2-24), and Ben Harvey (1-13) kept Whitland on top.
 

Umpires: Denis Chiffi and Dai Morris.
Scorers: Hazel Poole and Rob Benjamin.

DR Morris Cup quarter final draw:

Tuesday, June 6:

Neyland v Pembroke Dock

Lamphey v Carew

Wednesday, June 7:

Narberth v Whitland

Thursday, June 8:

Lawrenny v Haverfordwest