Another intriguing final awaits us.

And like so often in recent years, the biggest day in the local cricket calendar has the potential to produce a fantastic spectacle.

This Saturday, it will be Neyland against hosts Cresselly, who meet in the final for the first time since 2009.

That day it was clear favourites Cresselly who prevailed, but since then much has changed. Neyland won the coveted Bowl in 2011, 2013, and 2015 – whilst their opponents on Saturday have lost in their last two appearances, both against Haverfordwest, in 2014 and 2016.

It remains to be seen if the latter statistic will affect the home side on Saturday. But there will be added pressure for a team inevitably desperate to avoid a third straight final defeat on their own ground.

However, anyone questioning Cresselly’s nerve for the big occasion, wasn’t at their epic Bowl semi-final game against Haverfordwest.

In the best game of cup cricket I’ve ever witnessed in Pembrokeshire, Neilson Cole’s men came through after Super Overs, and the manner of their win would have given the bowlers in particular huge confidence.

Since the departure of Tom Murphy, they have lacked an out and out pace bowler, but the likes of Sam Harts, Mike Shaw, Ryan Lewis, and despite mixed fortunes with the ball in that semi-final Dan James, all stood up to be counted when Cole and co needed them most.

And while the attack may lack venom, it boasts ample variation, especially when you add the experienced Simon Cole and Neil Gregory into the mix.

But it is their batting that really has the potential to take the game away from Neyland.

Opener Adam Chandler will again look to be the mainstay of the innings, and if he stays there and accumulates, it gives the likes of Iwan Izzard, Alex Bayley and Simon Cole the licence to cut loose.

Izzard and Bayley in particular, have the ability to change the course of a 22-over innings in a matter of minutes, whilst Phil Williams in the middle order can provide the perfect foil if runs are flowing at the other end.

Of course, much of the pre-match speculation will centre on whether or not Dan Cherry is available for the home side. If he is, then it goes without saying that Neilson Cole’s side have another ready-made match winner in their ranks.

Neyland meanwhile, have disappointed me this season with their league campaign – that has lacked the resilience and intensity of performances in recent seasons.

Much of that however, has been down to circumstances, with Sean Hannon unable to call on a settled side for the vast majority of the summer.

But their semi-final display against Whitland was much more like the Neyland we’ve become accustomed to this past decade.

The opening spell of Nathan Banner showed just how critical he is to Hannon’s side, and if he’s focussed and on his game Saturday, Cresselly’s top order will have to bat very well to come out of his first spell unscathed.

He will most likely share the new ball with youngster Jamie Smith, one of the real finds of Neyland’s season.

His ability to move the ball both ways with his left arm seam will cause further problems – with the rest of the overs likely to be taken up by Andrew Miller and Henry Durrant. Both offer different options, and both have vast experience of taking wickets on the big occasion.

Another factor where Hannon’s side have excelled in recent times is the field. They give away nothing – and Gregg Miller’s sharp run out in the Bowl semi-final was a reminder of just how much pressure and control they can exert.

Like their opponents Saturday, their batting top order is packed with class.

Patrick Bellerby has developed from a middle order batsmen to a dangerous opener, capable of scoring at a rapid rate.

Paul Murray and Gregg Miller also have the ability to get their side off a quick start – and no one needs a reminder of the ability of Ashley Sutton and Nick Koomen on this stage.

The pair rescued their side from 10 for 3 in the semi-final, and both have delivered man of the match displays in a Bowl final – Koomen in 2011 and Sutton in 2013.

Furthermore, the ability of Andrew Miller and Scott Jones to accumulate, the power of Banner and Durrant, and the speed between the stumps of Skipper Hannon, all adds up to a batting line up of great depth.

But who will win it?

It goes without saying it could go either way, and yet again, I will make a prediction without a great deal of conviction.

The ability of Chandler to hold up an end may prove critical – and I expect Izzard, such a crucial miss to his side in last season’s final, to be a pivotal figure in the outcome.

To avoid sitting on the fence, I will go for Cresselly to win a very tight final……