Neyland Match Report
Haverfordwest vs Neyland. Harrison-Allen Bowl, 3rd July 2009. Umpires: Trevor Evans & Dave Brandon.Having beaten StIshmaels in the first round, Neyland could count themselves a little unlucky to be drawn against the previous season's league winners Haverfordwest at the quarter final stage, away from home. At the County fixture the previous weekend the county big wigs were overheard remarking how good it was to see that the 'big four' had been kept apart for the semi-finals. The big four being Haverfordwest, Carew, Cresselly and Lawrenny in their eyes. However following the StIshmaels win the Neyland team were feeling pretty optimistic, the strong Haverfordwest batting line up had been bowled out for only 81 in the previous Saturday's league fixture, and a number of influential figures were tipping Neyland to cause a bit of an upset in the run up to this game.
The stage was set, and despite some fairly wet weather in the preceeding days, the game went ahead on the 3rd July, Huw Scriven won the toss for Haverfordwest and opted to bat. Danny Potter and Richard James advanced the score to 20 without loss from the first four overs, but then Patrick Hannon removed Potter for 6 in the fifth, a clear outside edge looping up off keeper Sean Hannon to give a simple catch at slip to Nick Koomen.
Karl Rhead joined James and picked up a few quick singles, as James continued to run well and drove a couple of balls wide of mid on. Then in the 8th over Phil Davies removed the dangerous Rhead for only 6, bowled attempting to cut an off break. The following over really pinned Haverfordwest back, as Hannon delivered a double wicket maiden, and Haverfordwest sank from 34 for 1 to 34 for 4 off 9 overs. Hannon clean bowled James for 19 with a ball that moved back in to the right hander, and Dai Davies followed three balls later for a duck, well held by Paul Murray diving forward at point.
It now rested upon seasoned campaigner Stephen Phillips and the newly promoted Danny Field to rescue the position for Haverfordwest, as Hannon finished with an excellent return of 3 for 24 from his 6 overs, and Phil Davies proved as reliable as ever returning 1 for 24 from his 6 overs.
Ashley Sutton bowled two overs for 15 runs from the far end, and was replaced by Henry Durrant while Andrew Miller took over from Davies at the clubhouse/nets end. After 15 overs Haverfordwest had recovered to 66 for 4, but Field was then well caught at long off by Patrick Bellerby for 22. Two overs later and Miller plunged Haverfordwest back into trouble as Phillips was caught behind by Sean Hannon for 11 and the left handed Kirkby holed out at long on, as Bellerby held his second good catch of the evening. Incredibly Miller then proceeded to bowl the hard hitting Adam James for 3, and also bowled Josh Wilment for one (with the assistance of a very low bounce), to record a phenomenal 5 wickets for 9 runs analysis from 4 overs. Henry Durrant then bowled the 21st over, and though he conceeded 8 runs he wrapped up the Haverfordwest innings an over early by bowling number 11 Clive Tucker around his legs.
With only 91 to win, Neyland were now in optimistic mood, and this mood grew as Scott John struck two early boundaries, and he and Paul Murray raced to 22 from the first 4 overs [leaving only 69 to win from 18 overs!]. But John was then bowled by Phil Kirkby and Paul Murray was adjudged lbw to Adam James. A couple of overs later and a little rain saw all the Haverfordwest players running for the changing rooms, as the Neyland team looked anxiously to the skies, knowing that if the rain proved to be anything but a short shower the game would probably have to be restarted the following evening!
However to Neyland's relief the clouds soon blew over and play resumed. Miller drove the penultimate ball of the 10th over, James' 5th, firmly in the air to cover and Danny field took a good catch. Ashley Sutton then came and went for 3, and Phil Davies managed only 2, as the Neyland innings stalled to 48 for 5 off 15 overs, and it was beginning to appear as though Neyland were going to blow another great opportunity to beat one of the top sides.
Gregg Miller, the self-proclaimed cup specialist then strode to the crease in the number 7 slot, having earlier in the day claimed he would win the match for us. On the boundary Johnny Bap was telling anyone who would listen how he had bowled Gregg in a recent league match when Neyland 2nds played Herbrandston 2nds.
Gregg began to grow in confidence, and knocked the ball around well, as Koomen departed for 10, Patrick Bellerby for 3 and Patrick Hannon stuck one four but was then stumped by Haverfordwest skipper Scriven. Everything now appeared to rest on Gregg's shoulders with 17 required from the final two overs, with only two wickets in hand. However Sean Hannon struck the first blow for Neyland driving the first ball of the penultimate over beautifully through the leg side for four. Pressure back on Haverfordwest, and Sean and Gregg each claimed a single and a two from the remaining 5 balls of Stephen Phillip's over, to take ten off the over. The Neyland players drew closer to the boundary edge, willing a last over victory, while Henry Durrant began to look as pale as him batting pads. Six balls, seven to win, and Clive Tucker bowling down the hill with big boundaries behind him. First ball and Gregg took a huge swing across the line, dot ball. Second ball and Gregg advanced down the wicket, launching it straight. A few gasps from the crowd as the ball headed off, up the hill towards the long boundary where long off and long on were in place. Suddenly 'that's big!' could be heard, long on could get no where near it as the umpires signalled six, and the Neyland players began to celebrate, the relief was tangeable. However one more run was needed, the field drew in and another dot ball followed. But there was to be no reprieve for Haverfordwest as Gregg smashed the following delivery over the ring for four, and celebrated in style.
Gregg finished with a match winning 31 not out, and Sean too had played his part in securing the win with a vital 8 runs from only 5 balls.
Below are the respective team 'worms':
