Alan Brown semi final: Llanrhian (89 all out) lost to Lamphey (90-6)

There was a tense finale at a misty Llandigige last night before Lamphey secured their place in the Alan Brown final with a four wicket win over hosts Llanrhian.

The Stags were seemingly set for a comfortable win after bowling the hosts out for just 89 as Pete McGilloway took 4-18, but the visitors too struggled to bat in the gloomy conditions and after a vital knock of 22 from Nick Shelmerdine, got home with just three balls to spare.

The night had started well for The Cows as openers Paul Lewis and Ben Jones both hit early boundaries, but the momentum was stopped as James Skeels (1-22) had Jones (8) caught behind and Lewis (11) then holed out to Ben Harroway off David Blackwell (1-24).

That left Llanrhian 26-2 and Jack Jones and skipper Richard Reed then rebuilt matters with a partnership of 54, albeit at a steady not spectacular rate.

Reed did manage to up the ante at times with four fours and a six before being bowled by McGilloway for 34 – which prompted a comical collapse from the home side as they went from 80-2 to 89 all out.

Jones made 24 before later falling to McGilloway in the same fashion as Reed, but the last seven batsmen made just six runs (plus three extras) between them as Lamphey skipper Hywel Gibbs also revelled with 3-23 in his five overs.

And Gibbs then watched his side start well in their run chase as Lewis Haines launched a six and two fours, before he was bowled by Matthew Bennett (1-10) for 17.

In the eighth over the tide turned further as Daf Williams bowled Haines’ opening partner Grant Cole (8) and McGilloway (1) to leave Lamphey 24-3 and behind the run rate.

James Skeels made 15 before giving a catch to Williams off Jack Jones (1-16), and another blow came when Blackwell was forced to retire hurt with a nasty looking Achilles injury after being well set on 11.

But Shelmerdine hit two fours and a six in what proved crucial knock, and although he saw Phil Kidney (1) run out at the other end, seemed set to get his side over the line with 11 needed off 13 balls.

Yet Llanrhian had a glimmer when he then spooned a catch to Russell Watkins off Ben Jones, but it was Gibbs (4 not out) and Tom Powell (2 not out) who held their nerve to bring the scores level, and with three balls left, a wide from Jones sealed a spot in the final for The Stags.

“It was very tense but played in a really good spirit,” said Gibbs afterwards.

“It’s been a miserable competition for us in the past so nice to get over the line and reach the final – even if it was a close call.”

Pembroke Dock (110-2) beat Laugharne (108 all out)

An unbroken partnership of 69 between Peter Kingdom and Nick Daley secured Pembroke Dock’s place in the final as they overcame Laugharne at Imble Lane.

The visitors made 108 all out as Chris Wade (25) and Sean Lynch (14) ensured they posted a competitive total in testing conditions, but The Dock kept in control through John Cumani (2-28), Jamie White (3-27), and Connor Carroll (2-34).

The away side then gave themselves hope as home opener Jake Griffiths fell early to Steve Davies (1-13), and Colin Davies (1-42) removed Luke Murray to leave the Dock 51-2.

But there were no further dramas as Kingdom (40 not out) joined opener Daley (30 not out) in getting their side home with still four overs to spare.

It means an enticing final between derby rivals The Dock and Lamphey, who only met in Division Three on Saturday in a clash the former won comfortably.

The final will take place on Sunday, July 1st, at Whitland Cricket Club.