Cresselly (Doves) 112-4 Beat Hook 44 all out
PEMBROKE County Cricket Club Under 13s Junior League Final was a repeat of the Under 11s final two years ago with the same four sides in the semi final with Cresselly defeating Llechryd and Hook overcoming Narberth.
Hook captain Charlie Holder won the toss against his counterpart Phoenix Phillips of Cresselly and chose to bowl.
The game was a superb advert for junior cricket and certainly lived up to its expectation with high standard cricket in all departments by both teams.
The Hook bowlers started well with Holder having excellent figures of 2-5 removing the dangerous Harry Broadhurst and Ieuan Prout.
He was backed up by Rhys Tennick 3 overs for 9 runs who kept things tight.
At this stage Ollie Toy (18) held the innings together for Cresselly before Mason Hughes, 1-23, struck for Hook and with Morgan Jones (1-23) removing Cody James (9) the game was evenly poised.
Enter Captain Phoenix and Alfie Morgan who both defended the good ball with some classic defence and the momentum swung.
Phillips and Morgan dispatched the ball to all parts of the ground running well between the wicket and both retired on 25 with 3 fours each, facing 52 balls between them.
At the end of the day this proved to be the winning partnership with the Innings closing at 112-4 in the 20th over.
Mention must also be made of Olly Stamp, the Hook wicket keeper, who had an excellent game picking up one catch.
Both coaches would have been pleased with their team’s first innings performance.
With Cresselly winning their league encounter by one run they were aware of the capabilities of the Hook batsmen.
However the opening attack of Cody James 1-2 (2 maidens) removing the stroke maker Olly Nutty and Ollie Toy backing up his batting with 2-2 (1 maiden), bowling the dangerous Rhys Tennick and George Wonnacott, Cresselly seemed to be on top.
Charlie Holder (6) Joe Warrender (7) Mason Hughes(6) tried to get the initiative back for Hook but an inspired bowling spell by George Hughes 4-6 including one maiden ripped the heart out of the Hooks batting.
Harry Broadhurst 1-5 and Alfie Morgan 1-4 were the other wicket takers aided by catches from Bobby Shapcott and Phoenix Phillips who also had a suburb run out of Morgan Jones who had put up some stubborn resistance Hook finished on 44 all out.
On the night Cresselly fully deserved their victory with a excellent team performance with Hook putting up a battling display on the night ,they have had an excellent season also.
It was great to see a supportive crowd on a gorgeous sunny evening with the ground looking a picture with all the hard work of the Cresselly Team.
In the presentation after the match Martin Jones (Junior Organiser) congratulated both sides on reaching the final and said both clubs should be proud of their junior sections.
He thanked Cresselly for hosting the final including Richard Arthur and team with the ground looking first class.
He also thanked Diane James aided by Ollie Arthur on the BBQ who fed the players, officials and the crowd.
Mention was made of all the coaches for their hard work in developing the talented cricketers.
He thanked umpires Chris Stapleton and Steve Williams, and scorers Chris Holder and Haydon Shapcott who all contributed to the evening’s entertainment.
Last and by no means least he thanked sponsors Colin John of Llewelyn Davies & Co Chartered Accountants for his continued and valuable support of junior cricket in the county.
County president Trefor Evans presented the cups and medals to both teams on behalf of Colin.
The player of the match award was sponsored by the Williams family in memory of the late John Williams, who had umpired this final for countless years. He was a distinguished umpire, highly respected by all in Pembrokeshire cricket and further afield. The award was presented by his widow Hilary and sons Mark and Jonathan.
The award picked by the umpires was handed to Phoenix Phillips for the superb way she captained the team.
Cresselly: Phoenix Phillips (C), Ieuan Prout (WK), Mari Cole, Cody James, Ollie Toy, Finley Rowlands, Jack Mears, George Hughes, Bobby Shapcott, Alfie Morgan and Harry Broadhurst.
Hook: Charlie Holder (C), Olly Stamp (WK), Olly Nutty, Morgan Jones, Rhys Tennick, Joe Warrender, Mason Hughes, Rowan Nickerson, George Wonnacott, Jac Llewellyn and Oliver Rowe.