Kilgetty (147 for 5 and 147 for 7) beat Herbrandston (136 for 7 and 156 for 7)

KILGETTY were worthy winners of the 2013 Alan Brown Cup as they beat Herbrandston in an exciting final at a sun-soaked Whitland Cricket Club.

Their hero was Ross Hardy, who earned the man of the match award for his all-round performance, including a terrific 76 in the final innings that included eight fours and three sixes to help his fourth division colleagues to victory over their third division opponents.

The Whitland pitch and outfield were in perfect condition for this final, organised by the Pembrokeshire Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers, thanks to the efforts of John Davies, Gwynne Phillips and Paul Jones – and it allowed both teams to bat well and produce big scores in front of a large crowd.

Herbrandston batted first and got off to a good start via Alan McClelland (four fours in his 28) and Ryan Davies (three boundaries in his 38). Kristan Bennett (21) and Johnny Lewis (18) also batted well but Herbie were a few runs short of what they might have expected as Ross Hardy (3 for 34), Tom Murphy (1 for 30), Toby Poole (1 for 30) and Peter Hall (1 for 41) were backed up well in the field.

Peter Hall led the Kilgetty response with an excellent 50 that included seven fours and a six. Jake Marsh (20), Hardy (31) and Ian Poole (15) also batted well as Bennett (1 for 23), Lewis (1 for 21) and Paul Nicholas (1 for 30) were the Herbie wicket-takers but John Cumani was despatched for 22 in his one over and Sean Williams conceded 47 runs in five overs Kilgetty established an 11-run lead.

After an excellent tea, provided by Janice Webb, Nicola Owen, Donna and Molly James, Ryan Davies again batted well for Herbrandston in cahoots with Kristan Bennett before getting run out for 23.

Bennett played some attacking cricket as he fired three huge sixes and six fours and a century seemed on the cards until he was caught in the deep by Jack Parkinson off skipper Ian Poole for a superb 86.

After his departure, Johnny Lewis chipped in with 18 not out while Poole (3 for 32) and his son Toby (1 for 33) finished the pick of the bowlers.

Kilgetty’s hopes of a good start in their pursuit of 146 for victory were shattered as openers Jake Marsh and Christian Phillips departed for a run between them and first-innings top scorer Peter Hall could make just the four runs.

But Toby Poole chipped in with double figures and Hardy remained calm as he built a stand of 65 with Ian Poole to get their chase on target, hitting out in his powerful 76 before he was caught by Aaron Bowles off Sean Williams.

Poole should have departed next ball but was dropped and he made Herbie pay with 34 before he was run out.

Kristan Bennett and Sean Williams both claimed two wickets for Herbie but they will rue some fielding errors on the way before Jack Parkinson sent Kilgetty supporters into raptures with the winning boundary.

Allan Hansen, chairman of the Pembroke Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers, spoke to say thank you, especially to sponsors Paul and Janice Webb, of Tavernspite Garden Centre.
The presentations were made by John Williams, the Umpires’ president and the day’s man of the match was Ross Hardy.

Umpires: Arthur Brady and Les Hasting. Scorers: Hazel Poole and Clarissa Lewis, (assisted by Huw Davies)
Man of the Match Adjudicators: Denis Chiffi and Ray Kane
Man of the Match: Ross Hardy (Kilgetty)