Alec Colley Cup quarter final: Haverfordwest (157-5) beat Lawrenny (113-8) by 44 runs

A knock of 72 from Nitin Mathias helped Haverfordwest into the final four of the Alec Colley Cup as they had too much for Lawrenny last night at The Racecourse.

The Town actually endured a ropey start as Jack Tucker struck in the second over – forcing Dan Cole (2) to mistime a leg side clip into the hands of Steve Jones.

But that only served to bring in Mathias and he and Dai Davies took matters to 42-1 before the latter was LBW to Tom Cole for 20.

There were further cameos from Josh Hicks, who hit a six and a four in his 16, and skipper Chris Phillips who also struck a maximum en route to 26 not out.

But it was Mathias who played the vital hand, showing his class with seven fours and two sixes in his knock, leading his side to 157-5 in their 20 overs.

For the visitors, wickets were shared between Tom (2-46) and Simon Cole (1-29), Tucker (1-25) and Adrian Harries (1-56).

Lawrenny’s reply then got off to a nightmare start as key opener Steve Campbell was bowled in the first over by Clive Tucker without scoring, and James Buckle (6) soon fell the same way to the spinner.

Evan Watts then bowled Tom Cole (0) to leave the away side 23-3 and seemingly out of the contest, but they did then rally thanks to opener Andrew Cole and Tucker.

They shared a stand of 71 before opener Cole was skittled by Sanjay Gurung for 40 (six fours), and Tucker went on to make 39 (four fours and a six) before he was caught in the deep off the bowling of Phillips.

After that the innings petered out as Lawrenny made just 14 off the last five overs to finish 113-8, with wickets shared between Tucker (2-30), Watts (1-28), Gurung (2-29) and Phillips (2-20).

It means The Town will face Cresselly in their semi final on July 19th, two days after Whitland and Carew meet in their last four clash.

Umpires: Dave Brandon and Arthur Brady.