Neyland ease to the Welsh title (From Western Telegraph)

Neyland ease to the Welsh title

3:00pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Sport

Neyland Cricket Club have deservedly retained their title as Welsh Indoor Cricket Champions.

They made the journey to Cardiff for the finals against other section winners in Pentyrch and Gowerton – and only lost one wicket as they beat both convincingly.

Gregg Miller and his experienced team bowled and fielded so well that they crushed the opposition on both occasions. They restricted Gower-ton to 62 for 5 in their allotted 12 overs and then smashed 67 without loss from only 6.3 overs.

Then Pentyrch were put under just as much pressure when they batted so that the opposition were finally shot out for 68 from the final delivery of their innings – and Neyland reached their target with almost four overs in hand as they lost just a single wicket in the process.

Played at the Indoor Cricket School at the Swalec Stadium, which is almost double the size of the Meads Sports Hall, Neyland initially watched Pentyrch (96 all out) easily account for Gowerton (70 all out) – and then took firm control.

Ian Capon was included in the Gowerton team but even the talented former Neyland all-rounder was unable to influence matters as he was removed by Sean Hannon (1 for 14). His twin brother Patrick led the Neyland attack with an excellent 2 for 6 haul from his miserly three overs. Nick Koomen, Gregg and Andrew Miller were outstanding in the field and keeper Paul Murray claimed a good catch and excellent stumping so that Gowerton were only able to score 62 for the loss of five wickets.

Neyland openers Gregg Miller (26 not out) and Paul Murray (25 not out) ran well between the wickets, with Murray also hitting a six before retiring and allowing Andrew Miller (7 not out) to join brother Gregg in what turned out to be an easy win with no wickets down and with 33 balls unused.

It was a similar story against Pentyrch as Neyland fielded first and put a stranglehold on the opposition run-rate as they fielded brilliantly, keeper Murray again leading the way with a superb catch and stumping. Pentyrch were dismissed for 68 on the last ball of their innings, despite 30 from Mike Grossett. There were four run outs in support of Nick Koomen’s terrific spell of 2 for 10 in his three overs. Patrick Hannon also conceded only 10 runs from his three overs whilst brother Sean gave away only 13 runs in a similar spell.

Paul Murray again had a six before he retired on 26 and although skipper Gregg Miller, leading the team for the final time before handing over the reins to Sean Hannon, was caught at gully for 11 there was never doubting the fact that Neyland would seal the title. Andrew Miller also scored 26 not out and Nick Koomen was there at the end with 4 not out.

Gregg Miller was presented with the coveted trophy by organiser Trefor Jones, who also did the scoring, whilst Neyland had John Laugharne with them as their good luck mascot. They now move into the next stage of the competition against the winners of the Herefordshire competition at the Meads Leisure Centre, Milford Haven, on Sunday February 19th - with a place in the national finals at Edgbaston Cricket Ground awaiting the winner.