Welsh Cricket Cup Round Two: Whitland (168 all out) lost to Neyland (204-4) by 36 runs

Neyland moved into the third round of the Welsh Cricket Cup as an innings of 82 from Patrick Bellerby set up a 36-run win over hosts Whitland at Spring Hill.

In searing heat, it was of little surprise when away skipper Sean Hannon opted to bat after winning the toss - but it was opposite number Iestyn Scourfield who gave his side a flying start as he had Geraint Rees caught in the slips by Steffan James for a duck.

But it proved a false dawn for the home side as Patrick Bellerby joined opener Gregg Miller in a stand of 84.

Miller looked comfortable as he eased to 45, stroking five boundaries along the way – but then in the 21st over was undone as he charged down the track to Mathew ‘Titch’ Davies, and was sharply stumped by keeper Jack Bowen.

But the momentum continued via Henry Durrant and Bellerby, who after a slow start began to motor as he launched Steffan James back over his head for six in the 27th over. The all-rounder then promptly brought up his half century moments later.

The pair put on 71 before Durrant fell for 40 (six fours), caught on the boundary by James during Scourfield’s return spell.

That left Neyland 155-3 and they added another 49 in the seven overs that followed, with Bellerby eventually falling in the final over for 82 in 98 balls (seven fours and two sixes) - an impressive effort given the baking hot conditions.

George Evans (17 not out) was joined at the death by Stephen Murray (3 not out), and Neyland’s total of 204-4 in 40 overs looked an imposing, if not impossible, challenge for the home side.

And their reply got a good start as Bowen hit boundaries of both Bellerby and Hannon, opening the bowling instead of his usual keeping role – but with the score on 27 it was the captain who got the breakthrough by bowling Ed John (9) with one that kept low.

Hannon also forced Bowen (18) into spooning a catch to Geraint Rees, but the classy James and Jonathan Thomas took matters to 81-2 with the game seemingly well poised.

But crucially, Neyland removed both in quick succession, Rees trapping James LBW for 30 (four fours) before Thomas was bowled for 15 (three fours) as he looked to hit Tom Pritchard over the top.

No 5 Mathew Davies tried to turn the tide but wickets fell regularly at the other end, and at 136-8, Whitland’s chances appeared over.

But a partnership of 32 between ‘Titch’ and namesake Dewi gave them hope, with the former hooking Bellerby for a maximum to leave his side needing 37 off the final four overs.

Fittingly however, it was Bellerby who had the final word as he had Davies caught by Paul Miller in the deep for 61 (six fours and two sixes), and then two balls later bowled Steffan Lee as Neyland secured their spot in the next round.

Scorecard:

Neyland:

Gregg Miller st Jack Bowen b Matthew Davies 45

Geraint Rees c Steffan James b Iestyn Scourfield 0

Patrick Bellerby c Steffan James b Nathan Evans 82

Henry Durant c Steffan James b Iestyn Scourfield 40

George Evans not out 17

Stephen Murray not out 3

Extras: 17

Total: 204 for 4

Bowling: Steffan James 8-2-40-0; Iestyn Scourfield 8-2-36-2; Jonathan Thomas 8-0-42-0; Matthew Davies 8-0-33-1; Nathan Evans 8-0-42-1.

Whitland:

Edward John b Sean Hannon 9

Jack Bowen c Geraint Rees b Sean Hannon 18

Steffan James lbw Geraint Rees 30

Jonathan Thomas b Tom Pritchard 15

Matthew Davies c Paul Miller b Patrick Bellerby 61

Nathan Evans c George Evans b Tom Pritchard 0

Geraint Phillips c Stephen Murray b Henry Durant 0

Iestyn Scourfield c Patrick Bellerby b Henry Durant 14

Stephen Davies b Henry Durant 0

Dewi Davies not out 2

Steffan Lee b Patrick Bellerby 0

Extras: 19

Total: 168 all out

Bowling: Sean Hannon 8-1-36-2; Patrick Bellerby 6.4-0-40-2; Geraint Rees 6-1-17-1; Tom Pritchard 8-0-37-2; Henry Durant 8-1-33-3.

Umpires: Simon Richards and Richard Scriven.

Scorers: Ann-Marie Jenkins and John Laugharne.