Llanrhian beat Stackpole by 36 runs to win Alan Brown Cup

Llanrhian captured the Alan Brown Cup for the first time in their history yesterday after an enthralling battle with Bosherston and Stackpole at Whitland.

In front of big crowd, the Cows led by just 8 runs at tea after both sides got tied down in their first innings – but then a half century from skipper Richard Reed helped them post a total of 150-4 – leaving the Lillies needing 159 to win.

And they made a real go of it as 32 from opener Richard Mackay had them up with the rate early on, but after he fell the chase slowed somewhat and they eventually finished 122-9 – 37 runs short of their target.

Llanrhian first innings (114-8):

It was Mackay who opted to bowl after winning the toss, and he had Ewan McDonald were then pivotal in tying Llanrhian down early on with the skipper removing openers Reed (3) and Jack Jones (2), while McDonald skittled Ben D Jones (1) to leave matters at 19-3.

But Nigel Delaney hit three fours in his 23 to lead the recovery, and some big hitting from Tom Clarke (two sixes and a four) helped turn the tide as he made 27.

It was Ben ‘RV’ Jones who then took the Cows past three figures with a vital 37 not out, cracking three fours and two sixes in his 37.

The total of 114-8 looked a modest one though as Stackpole wickets were shared between McDonald (1-24), Mackay (2-9), Simon Bevan (3-33) and George Smith (1-41).

Scorecard:

Richard Reed B Richard Mackay 3

Jack Jones ct Owen Cox B Richard Mackay 2

Nigel Delaney B Simon Bevan 23

B D Jones B Ewan McDonald 1

Tom Clarke B Simon Bevan 27

Ben RV Jones not out 37

Russell Watkins B George Smith 7

Rhodri Owen B Simon Bevan 0

Dafydd Williams run out 2

Extras: 12.

Total: 114-8 for 8 wickets in 20 overs

Bowling: Ewan McDonald 5-0-24-1; Richard Mackay 5-1-9-2; Simon Bevan 5-0-33-3; George Smith 5-0-41-1.

Bosherston and Stackpole (106-7) first innings:

Llanrhian needed to strike early in the Stackpole reply – and they did just from the very first ball as Dafydd Williams drew a nick off the dangerous Josh Davies and Reed took the catch behind.

The pressure continued as Clarke bowled Alan Webster (4), and Mackay (1) top edged off Rhodri Owen and was caught in the deep by Ben D Jones.

It was Lewys Gibby and Bevan who then recovered matters, Gibby hitting four fours in his 26 while Bevan also made four boundaries to reach 40.

But crucially, Bevan injured his groin just before getting out in the 19th over - bowled by spinner Owen as he took 3-13 - and the all rounder would play no further part in the final.

George Smith also made 12 as Stackpole reached 106-7, a deficit of just 8 runs and at tea the game was very much in the balance.

Alongside Owen’s three wickets, Clarke finished 1-20, Williams 1-26, and Karl Davies 2-25.

Scorecard:

Josh Davies ct Richard Reed B Dafydd Williams 0

Alan Webster B Tom Clarke 4

Lewys Gibby B Rhodri Owen 26

Simon Bevan B Rhodri Owen 40

Rickard Mackay ct Ben D Jones b Rhodri Owen 1

George Smith B Karl Davies 12

Paul Oeppen not out 7

Alex Fearson ct Richard Reed B Karl Davies 2

Ewan McDonald not out 1

Extras: 15.

Total: 106 for 7 wickets in 20 overs.

Bowling: Dafydd Williams 5-0-26-1; Tom Clarke 5-0-20-1; Rhodri Owen 5-0-13-3; Nigel Delaney 2-0-20-0; Karl Davies 2-0-25-2.

Llanrhian second innings: (150-4)

Reed altered the order for the second innings and it paid off, with the skipper himself leading by example.

He and Ben RV Jones put on 59 for the first wicket, before the latter went for 22 (three fours), but Reed went on to hit eight boundaries in his 60.

No 3 Nigel Delaney also kept the run rate ticking with a six and two fours in his 28, his running between the wickets also proving crucial, and Jack Jones (17 not out) and Clarke (11 not out) also hit boundaries as the Cows reached an imposing 150-4.

Stackpole wickets were shared between McDonald (2-29), Mackay (1-37), and Webster (1-40).

Scorecard:

Richard Reed B Ewan McDonald 60

Ben RV Jones B Alan Webster 22

Nigel Delaney B Richard Mackay 28

Jack Jones ct Marcus Adie B Ewan McDonald 17

Tom Clarke not out 11

Ben D Jones 1 not out

Extras: 11.

Total: 158 for 8 wickets in 20 overs.

Bowling: Ewan McDonald 5-0-29-2; Rickard Mackay 5-1-37-1; Marcus Adie 2-0-21-0; Alan Webster 5-0-40-1; George Smith 3-0-20-0.

Stackpole second innings (122-7):

Needing 159 to win, Stackpole had no choice but to attack from the start and to the credit of Mackay, he took responsibility.

The skipper opened himself and he and Davies reached 33-0 in five overs to raise hopes for the Lillies, but the latter edged Clarke to Reed behind the stumps for 17 (three fours).

But at 82-3 it was the wicket of Mackay that proved pivotal, bowled by Owen after three fours and a maximum in his 32.

And from then Llanrhian turned the screw, and despite Paul Oeppen (14) cracking a straight six late on the rate became too much and the run chase petered out on 122-7, giving the Cows victory by 37 runs.

After the match it was Reed who collected the trophy from Les Hastings, speaking in behalf of the cup organisers the Pembrokeshire Association of Cricket Umpires, with Ben ‘RV’ Jones awarded man of the match for his batting over both innings.

Scorecard:

Josh Davies ct Richard Reed B Tom Clarke 17

Richard Mackay B Rhodri Owen 32

Lewys Gibby ct Nigel Delaney B Karl Davies 8

Alan Wesbter ct Karl Davies B Rhodri Owen 11

George Smith ct Richard Reed B Rhodri Owen 6

Paul Oeppen run out 14

Alan Fearson not out 16

Ewan McDonald ct Karl Davies B Nigel Delaney 6

Marcus Adie 0 not out

Extras: 12.

Total: 122 for 7 wickets in 20 overs.

Bowling: Dafydd Williams 5-0-25-0; Tom Clarke 4-0-32-1; Karl Davies 4-0-18-1; Rhodri Owen 5-0-35-3; Nigel Delaney 2-0-10-1.

Umpires: Mervyn John and Dave Brandon.

Scorers: Jason Cole and Clare Cox.