Full weekend of Pembrokeshire cup cricket ahead

On Saturday, we have four Harrison-Allen Bowl and four Alec Colley Cup semi finals, followed by the Ormond Youth semi finals in both the main competition and the Plate on Sunday.

The Ken Morris Cup also kicks off over the weekend, with four games scheduled over Groups A and B.

Here is a preview of the fixtures – and an educated bash at which way they’ll go.

Saturday, August 8th:

Harrison-Allen Bowl quarter finals (1pm):

Burton v Lamphey

Let’s cut to the chase – this is a big chance for both.

Burton start favourites. They’ve already come through tricky tests against two other second division sides in Pembroke Dock and then Pembroke – and their key players have runs and wickets under their belts. Toby Hayman hit form last Saturday at Treleet with 59 not out and as usual, his batting could be key.

But after a bye in Round 1, Lamphey also came through a test of their own against Llanrhian. Peter McGilloway took four wickets and after struggling early on in pursuit of 101 to win, an unbeaten 25 from skipper Rob Mathias saw them through. It wasn’t necessarily pretty, but it was the sort of tense, close contest that would have done them good after so long without cricket.

It’s rare in the Bowl that a side can reach the last four without playing a top flight team along the way– and now both these sides have that chance. I expect both to go all out.

Tip: Burton.

St Ishmaels v Lawrenny

Both teams negotiated banana skins last week – Tish at Laugharne and Lawrenny at Hook.

Phill Cockburn’s team also won a tight one against Saundersfoot the previous week, and will know this is a real opportunity to reach a first semi final since 2016.

Jonathan Pawlett appears to be back and when he is full focused and firing, is an asset to any side. There were four more wickets for namesake Andrew last week too, and his contributions with bat and ball have become crucial to Tish in recent times.

Lawrenny losing Brad McDermott-Jenkins to Neyland is a hammer blow but their bowling attack is still rock solid and in the batting stakes, last week openers Harry Thomas and Kyle Marsh picked up where they left off last season.

Joe Kidney’s side have proved to be real cup specialists the past two years, reaching successive Bowl finals and also the DR Morris final in 2019.

While I think this is going to a tight one, it’s the latter factor which edges me towards the visitors. Just.

Tip: Lawrenny.

Narberth v Haverfordwest

From the moment the Bowl was redrawn, the general assumption was Haverfordwest would sail through to the semi’s.

But while their side of the draw has undoubtedly worked out favourably – a dangerous afternoon awaits here.

Narberth are one of those sides who when their tails are up, can get on a roll. They are back in Division 1 - and have blown away Johnston and comfortably beaten Stackpole to get here. There is runs in their top order and the bowling attack is varied.

The wickets of opener Richie Adams could be key. The Town will know that if he gets in he will form the backbone, and give licence to the likes of Had Luff, Kyle Quartermaine and co to attack around him. Whether they bat first or second, the opening overs of the Narberth innings could be pivotal.

Having said all that, the odds are still in favour of the defending champions. They were very efficient in hammering Llangwm last week and by using Adam James as an opener, it gives them a free play first up and ensures they bat deep.

The hosts will also have to handle the slow stuff of Clive Tucker far better than Llangwm did to have a chance.

My head says Haverfordwest, but I expect them to be really tested.

Tip: Haverfordwest.

Carew v Neyland

This time last year, had this fixture come up I would have tipped Neyland with no hesitation.

A few things have changed in Pembrokeshire cricket, let alone the world, since then.

In this shortened crash, bang, wallop seasons momentum is everything and Carew currently have more than most.

In Round 1 then went to Whitland and defended 130 before keeping their nerve in that acid test against Cresselly last Saturday. Tim Hicks has been in the runs, against The Doves Shaun Whitfield showed his ability to turn a game, and Sion Jenkins has back to back three wicket hauls. Their path to the last eight has been tough but coming through two tense matches against Division 1 opposition would have been perfect preparation for this.

Tomorrow mind, there can be no let up. Neyland are yet to hit top gear but they haven’t had to – with workmanlike and yet comfortable wins over Llechryd and Herbrandston so far. I don’t need to emphasise what a consistent, all round unit they are, that’s been well known for a decade.

I would also assume Ashley Sutton will be back in the first team fold tomorrow having made a century on return for the 2nds last week.

Carew haven’t won the Bowl since 2010, while after capturing it four times in seven seasons Neyland’s last final was 2017. Whoever wins tomorrow will take a major step towards reclaiming it.

‘On the day’, ‘too close to call’, ‘could go either way’ – all the standard clichés apply here. Purely on momentum if nothing else, I’ll say Carew by a whisker.

Tip: Carew.

Alec Colley Cup quarter finals (4.30pm):

Llangwm v Whitland

Llangwm came through a tricky derby at Hook last week, with the bowling of the reliable ‘Ackie’ Harries and Chris Jenkins proving pivotal. Whitland meanwhile won comfortably at Herbie, with veteran Dai Lee’s batting standing out.

There is no obvious favourite here, but home advantage maybe gives Llangwm a slight advantage.

UPDATE - Scrap the above. I'm told Whitland have no conceded fixture due to lack of availability.

Tip: Llangwm. Here's one I should get right.....

Haverfordwest v Pembroke Dock

On paper, it’s hard to see past Haverfordwest.

In the likes of Ashley James and Chris Fitzpatrick, they have players who had first team action last season and the likes of Dan Field and Nigel Morgan bring plenty of experience. They beat Narberth last week and currently ply their trade three divisions higher than the Dock.

Luke Murray is currently in the 2nds there though and on his say is a class act – as showed last week with his 75 against Pembroke. For the visitors to have a chance, you feel he’ll need to produce a similar display at The Racecourse.

Tip: Haverfordwest.

St Ishmaels v Saundersfoot

Two sides who were Division 4 last season - a league that Tish won under captain Robbie Thomas.

With the likes of Danny Flynn, Steve Williams, Karl Rhead and Kevin Bowen in the second team ranks, their line up looks strong and they beat Llechryd with room to spare last Saturday.

Saundersfoot have done well thus far though in beating Burton and Lawrenny and with the bat, the likes of Steve Cooke and Paul Mansbridge need no introduction. Rhys Richards also claimed a five for with the ball last week and Kevin Sykes was again in the wickets.

Saundersfoot have had more match time, but I’d still back Tish at home.

Tip: St Ishmaels.

Neyland v Carew

The second of three Neyland v Carew meetings this weekend. And possibly the second of three close encounters.

Neyland are defending champions but last week their important win over Cresselly was instigated by that Sutton century. They have a decent mix of bowling too mind, with the slow (and clever) stuff of Gary Lloyd a good contrast to Tom Pritchard, who will ask questions with the new ball.

The Rooks were nearly undone at Llanrhian last week due to Rhys Dalling’s batting but the backbone of the side still looks strong – with Robbie Hicks, Haydn Shapcott, Brian Hall, Nick Scourfield, and skipper Barry Evans all with ample experience. And that combines well with the youngsters coming through around them.

Carew are a division above the holders in terms of the league structure, and Paul Miller’s men will have to be on the top of their game.

Tip: Carew.

Sunday, August 9th:

Ken Morris Cup (1.30pm):

Group A:

Carew v Neyland

Hundleton v Nomads

Group B:

Narberth v Haverfordwest

Cresselly v Crymych (playing Saturday)

Ormond Youth Cup semi finals (2pm):

Haverfordwest v Cresselly

Neyland v Hook

Ormond Youth Plate semi finals (2pm):

Carew v Whitland

Llechryd v Hundleton