Welsh Cricket Cup quarter final: Penarth (133-9) lost to Neyland (142 all out) by 9 runs

It was tense, but Neyland went through to the final four of the Welsh Cup yesterday with a 9 run win over Penarth.

It looked for all the World that the clash would fall foul of the weather as lashing rain hit Wales on Saturday and Sunday morning, but after conditions relented in the afternoon, the umpires ruled the pitch fit to play with the game reduced to 30 overs per side.

It was Neyland who were put into bat after losing the toss, and they suffered an early blow when Nick Koomen (2) was clean bowled by Nathan Piddock.

But then came a stand of 60 between brothers Gregg and Andrew Miller, before the former was skittled by Richard Skone for 35 (four fours).

And after that visitors struggled inevitably tough conditions, with No 3 Andrew going on to top score with 42 (three fours) before he also fell to Skone – thanks to a good catch by Ryan Sylvester.

After that Henry Durrant (14) and Scott Jones (9) got starts but wickets fell regularly, and perhaps a sign of the slowness of the outfield was Callum Power’s late four was only the eighth boundary of the innings as Neyland finished 142 all out in 28 overs.

For Penarth Skone finished the pick of the bowlers with 4-30 while he also notched a run out, with further wickets for Sylvester (1-12), Nathan Piddock (1-24), Morgan Humphreys (2-33) and Alex Longrish (1-7).

But crucially, Sean Hannon’s men then removed both Penarth openers early as the home side fell to 11-2.

The skipper himself gave the gloves to George Evans and ironically, it was that pairing who removed Jack Thomas (2) as he edged one behind.

Henry Durrant had Sylvester (8) caught by Andrew Miller after two early boundaries – and it was only Skone who then threatened to stall the momentum.

He made 40 (two fours) by the time he was caught by Gregg Miller off Koomen – and left the Cardiff team 105-8 and staring down the barrel.

That became 110-9 but then there was resistance from the final pair of Will Skone (15 not out) and Piddock (9 not out) – but they could only manage 23 of the 33 runs needed in the last six overs.

Wickets were shared between Hannon (3-19), Durrant (1-37), Andrew Miller (2-17), Geraint Rees (2-27) and Koomen (1-28).

Therefore it was Neyland who set up a home semi final with Ynysgerwen this Sunday – with the winner meeting Ammanford or Cardiff in the final.

Umpires: Simon Green and Lyn Hall.

Scorers: Ian Milsom and Morgan Barrell.