Harrison Allen Bowl semi final: Llangwm (126-7) lost to Lawrenny (129-4) by 6 wickets

For the first time since 2001, Lawrenny will contest a Harrison Allen Bowl final after Joe Kidney’s side produced a professional display to beat Llangwm at Kilgetty last night.

Interest surrounding the clash was evident as cars crammed into Kingsmoor, and the host club certainly emerged with a credit on another stunning evening for cricket in Pembrokeshire.

It was Llangwm skipper Ollie Davies who opted to bat after winning the toss, but his side were soon stifled as Rob Williams and Jamie Lewis bowled tight lines early on.

The first two overs yielded just three runs before Phil Llewellyn broke the shackles by hammering Williams back over his head for four.

But after surviving a scare when his top edge just evaded keeper James Phillips, Llewellyn fell for 11 as his mistimed cut shot off Williams presented Lewis with a simple catch.

His opening partner Will Beresford (13) survived a run out scare but from the last ball of the seventh over, nicked a Williams delivery to Phillips and then very next ball, Lewis bowled Matthew Kiff (1) to leave Llangwm in trouble at 26-3.

Williams claimed another scalp, having Noah Davies (6) also caught behind en-route to figures of 3-22 in six overs, while Lewis finished with 1-29 and with the score 54-4, Kidney’s side were on top.

Joe Kiff did his best to turn the tide despite seeing Chris Inward (3) caught behind off Ryan Morton, and he went on to make 26 (three fours) before giving a return catch to Brad McDermott-Jenkins, albeit via a full toss which would have been close to being called a no-ball.

But at 85-6 it was Luke Brock who gave his side hope, cracking the only six of the innings off McDermott-Jenkins (2-23) as he made 20 not out, and although the latter bowled Richard Brock (6), captain Davies also added late momentum with two fours in his 12 not out.

It gave Llangwm a score of 126-7 in their 22 overs – a competitive if not imposing total.

Lawrenny started well as Simon Cole and McDermott-Jenkins (9) took the score to 25, but after surviving a top edge that landed between fielders, the latter’s straight drive back at bowler Noah Davies (1-19) was neatly snaffled.

New man Phillips hooked a six off Davies before surviving a close run out call, and he and Cole ultimately set up victory with a stand of 70.

Cole looked classy as he hit 12 boundaries before being bowled by Inward (1-39) for 49 – and then suddenly, Llangwm grabbed a lifeline as two more wickets fell without a run being added.

Llewellyn clean bowled James Phillips for 44 (a six and five fours) and then had namesake Matthew LBW very next ball – but No 6 Kidney calmed any nerves with a four over mid off from Inward in the 17th over.

He did similar in the next over off Llewellyn to edge his side closer as he finished 10 not out, and it was Patrick Elliott who then rounded things off when he took Inward to the fence at the end of the 19th – securing what was ultimately a comfortable win for his side.

Lawrenny now await the winners of Narberth and Cresselly in the final – who meet in Whitland this Thursday.

Umpires: Tony Waldeis and John Williams.

Scorers: Malcolm Thomas and Gracie Morris.