THE Pembroke County Cricket Club Under 15s junior league final was between the top two sides from the two zones with Kilgetty beating their under 14s in the semi final whilst Cresselly beat St Ishmaels in the other.
Kilgetty captain Logan Hall won the toss against his counterpart Tyler James and decided to bowl first.
Traditionally the under 15s finals, sponsored by Colin John, Llewelyn Davies & Co Chartered Accountants, have been dominated by the bowlers but on this occasion the fine stroke making of the batters was evident to all.
Ollie Arthur (10) and Oscar Lewis(28, 5x4) set the tone with Lewis Mason (9) getting Cresselly off to a good start.
Wickets by Oli Cook (1-21), George Morgan (1-30) and Carter Heywood (1-20) kept Kilgetty in the game although they would rue some early opportunities to take some catches.
It was at the stage the game changed with some tremendous straight strokes by Griff Jenkins on both the hedge and road side of the ground, (36 retired in 29 balls with 4x6 & 1x 4). Credit also to Taylor Lewis for bowling a maiden when Griff was in full throttle.
Tyler James 23 added the latter runs and Cresselly finished on 126-5 with Maddoc Evans (1-13) and a run out by Oli Cook concluding the first innings.
Kilgetty needed a good start but the open bowlers of Oscar Lewis (2-9) and Tyler James (2-24) took three early wickets to put Kilgetty on the back foot.
However Logan Hall (35 retired, 36 balls 5x 4) and George Morgan (20) fought back for Kilgetty.
Maddox Evans (18) and Taylor Lewis (11) continued the good work and with four overs to go the game was in the balance.
The attack continued to the end but wickets by Lewis Mason (1-30), Ollie Arthur (1-19) saw Cresselly over the line.
This was an excellent game of cricket played in good spirits and a credit to both clubs and their respective coaching teams.
The trophy, now in its 50th year was donated by the family of the late Stan Richards and John Bowen. It was presented to the winning captain Tyler James by Ollie Rees, John Bowen’s grandson.
The player of the match trophy, donated by the family of the late Bill Roberts, was picked by the umpires and presented on behalf of the family by Wendy Bradshaw.
Mention was made of all the fine batting performances but for his superb innings and three tight overs the award was handed to Griff Jenkins.
Cresselly and all their age coaches were also congratulated for an outstanding season winning all three age groups in the junior leagues.
Cresselly: Tyler James (C), Milo Jones (WK), Oscar Lewis, Lucian Thornton, Ollie Arthur, Lewis Mason, Griff Jenkins, Josh Richards, Eli Owen, Ollie Rowlands, Ethan James, Rhys Barnes
Kilgetty: Logan Hall (C), Maddoc Evans, Carter Heywood, George Morgan, George Mcdonald, Lucas Rhys-Davies, Iori Harts, Olly Badham, Oli Cook, Taylor Lewis, Jack Cole, Theo Scourfield.