Lightning didn’t quite strike twice – but the Haverfordwest Under 19s T20 side had reason to be proud after finishing second in the Welsh finals at Newport CC yesterday.

The team, coached by Simon Williams and Huw Scriven, were originally scheduled to face Neath a semi final, with the winner later facing the winner of the hosts and Pwlhelli in the final, but the latter side withdrew on Sunday morning meaning the format was changed to a three-team round robin.

The weather saw each contest reduced to 15 overs per side, and the Blue Lightning faced Neath and after losing the toss, Kieran O’Connor and co were asked to field.

Neath (115-6) beat Haverfordwest Blue Lightning (72 all out) by 43 runs

Neath posted 115-6 with Sam Mogford hitting 32 off 27 balls (four fours), and fellow opener James Archer hitting 23 (four fours) as the pair put on 50 for the first wicket.

Both were removed by Archie Thomas though as he took 2-32 in his three overs, and No 3 Ryan Thomas (6) was run out after sharp work by Haverfordwest keeper Jack Scriven.

Daniel Davies (16) and namesake Evan (10 not out) helped push the total past three figures but O’Connor’ side kept things in check as the Lewis boys, Rhead (1-10) and Hough (1-9), took a wicket each, and the latter also executed a run out with a direct hit.

But their reply never got going a they struggled to 72 for 8.

No 3 Jake Merry (13) and O’Connor (14) both got starts with a boundary each, and Loui Davies (8) also notched a four but no one managed to cut loose on an inevitably damp outfield.

Dai Picking took three wickets for Neath, Nathan Dalwell took two, and Adam Silvester and Evan Davies also took a wicket each.

Haverfordwest Blue Lightning (106-5) beat Newport (65-8) by 41 runs

It meant Blue Lightning simply had to beat Newport to keep their hopes alive, but after opting to bat, the Lightning got a poor start as openers Nikhil Mathias and Archie Thomas fell to Jack Wright for ducks.

But Merry and O’Connor rebuilt matters, putting on 29 before the skipper went for 13 (one four).

Merry went on to make 26 (one four) to leave matters 56-4, but then came a pivotal stand of 45 between Hough and Davies.

Hough hammered 38 not out off 24 balls, including four fours and a maximum, and Davies (15) played the foil before Jack Scriven (1 not out) came in as Haverfordwest posted 106-5.

And they then bowled and fielded superbly to restrict Newport to 65-8, with only Tom Lynbeck ever looking settled as he made 17 (two fours).

All from three over stints, Jonny White (1-16), Davies (3-13), O’Connor (2-5), Thomas (1-13) and Hough (1-5) shared wickets.

Newport (104-4) lost to Neath (87-2) on Duckworth Lewis

It all meant a Newport win over Neath would see all sides finish on one win each, but the result didn’t materialise for the Lightning, with Neath reaching 87-2 as they chased 105 to win before the rain came down.

It meant a Duckworth Lewis win for the latter, and they were crowned Welsh champions with Haverfordwest finishing second.

It still represented a great cup run for the club, who thanked Bargain Booze of Pembroke Dock for sponsoring their trip to finals day.

Haverfordwest squad: Kieran O'Connor (capt), Jack Scriven (WK), Archie Thomas, Jake Merry, Jonny White, Lewis Rhead, Nikhil Mathias, Loui Davies, Lewis Hough, Teo Krol, Cyril Varghese, Zac White, Chloe Hood, Warren Evans, George Thomas, Jack Blockwell.