Cresselly will be hoping to make it a cup final double on Sunday when their second string contest the Dyrham Service Station Alec Colley final against Narberth at Pembroke. The first team may have walked away with the Harrison-Allen Bowl a fortnight ago, but Cresselly skipper Richard Arthur believes this final is going to be a lot closer. It's a view which is shared by Narberth captain Gary Hughes. Although the Otters play their cricket one division above Dick the Dog's men, Hughes says the result of the match is just too close to call: "There is nothing between the sides. Cresselly are on a good run and are well clear at the top of Division Four so they must be a good side. I don't know much about them, but I'm sure they'll have good all-round strength and will be eager in the field." Arthur refused to give too many secrets away, but told Observer Sport that one thing is for sure; Cresselly will be playing with a smile on their face: "We're looking forward to it," he said. "It's my first final as a skipper and the boys are well up for it which should make my life a bit easier. There's no pressure for us to perform, we're just going to go out there and enjoy ourselves." That might be easier said than done, especially when you consider that the opposition contains three players with a wealth of experience at the top end of the Pembrokeshire league. Brothers David and Matthew Johns will be joined in the team by leg spinner Greg Morris. All three have performed admirably over the years, with David able to score runs in a free-flowing manner, while Matthew can bamboozle the best of them with his well-flighted off-spin. Arthur is well aware of the threat that the spin twins pose to his team, but says they will be up for the challenge: "Our confidence is high, especially after defeating Burton and Whitland in previous rounds. We'll take that into the final. We haven't faced much spin this season, but I'm confident our batsmen can perform." Scott Arthur is one such player. The burly young batsman has scored plenty of runs in Division Four this season and recently smashed Kilgetty's bowlers all over the park in a sparkling innings of 85. Steven Thomas is another batsman the Narberth bowlers will be wary of. He's scored heavily in the competition and will be looking for another score of note on Sunday. Cresselly last appeared in the Alec Colley final 10 years ago when they lost to Haverfordwest. Coincidently Narberth lost to the same team when they last contested the trophy in 2002, so history favours none of the teams. What it will boil down to is nerves on the big day; although both captains insist they're just going to go out there and enjoy the game. That's good news for the spectators of course, especially if it's going to be as close as the skippers say. Whatever the result, one thing is a fact. It's going to be an exciting match. Wickets will be pitched at 1 pm, while umpires are Ray Kane, of Pembroke, and Robert Bellerby, of Neyland, and the man of the match adjudicator is Kerry Waters of Carew. Admission (which includes a raffle) is £4 and £2 for OAPs and children under 16.
Pen pictures
CRESSELLY
Richard Arthur (Captain): Two years into his first stint as skipper of the side and the team is already benefiting from his leadership. Steady medium pace bowler and hard hitting lower order batsman. Rhydian Rees: Talented young cricketer who has toured Australia and New Zealand with Dyfed Schools. Stylish right hand opening bat. Steve Davies: Experienced campaigner who has scored stacks of runs for Cresselly over the years. Hard hitting middle order batsman. Steven Thomas: If he played for any other club would be an automatic first team player. Stylish left handed opening bat. Makes it look easy at times. Scott Arthur: One of the finest teenage batsmen in the county. Aged 16 he has taken Division Four by storm this year after joining the club from Hundleton. Jacob Davies: Another 16-year-old to shine this year. Highly promising all-round cricketer who has the ability to score vital runs at vital times. Jim Kinnear: A dependable cricketer who has eased the team out of many tricky situations this season. Nicknamed buckets due to the size of his hands and one of the best fielders around. Matthew Lewis: Fine swing bowler and hard hitting batsman. Took five wickets in the semi-final against Whitland. Simon Allen-Clarke: Tall, stylish batsman who is improving with every game he plays. The third 16- year-old in the team. Sion Jenkins: Aggressive opening bowler who has the best batsmen jumping around the crease. Has bowled well all season. Phillip James: Known around the county as Spam. Possibly the most economical bowler in Pembrokehsire cricket. Still going strong despite closing in on his 50th birthday. Ollie Johnston: A much improved cricketer. He'll be taken on the 12th man duties for the game although will fill in admirably if required Des Brace: The second team scorer. Is there a more vital member of the team?
NARBERTH
Gary Hughes (Captain): Played his first Alec Colley final 30 years ago but has yet to be on the winning side. Hopes to make it third time lucky in this game. Fine medium pace bowler and lower order batsman. Andrew Williams: Free scoring opening batsman who accumulates runs at will. Matured as a cricketer since re-joining the club from Whitland. Daniel Hughes: Opening batsman and off spin bowler. Classy looking player with one of the best cover drives in the business. Ceri Davies: Hard hitting batsman who hits sixes for fun. An orthodox middle order player who Narberth will be counting on for runs on the day. David Johns: First team regular batsman. Should be the star attraction on the day. Stylish, technically sound and very good between the wickets. Matthew Johns: Re-joined the club after a spell with Haverfordwest where he won the Harrison-Allen bowl. Good off spinner who will cause Cresselly problems. Asher Stanford: Stylish batsman who used to be the regular first team wicket keeper. Turned into a fine fielder close in since ditching the gloves. Harry Allen: Classy batsman who will display his full array of shots if given the chance. Has played first team cricket. Also a very fine footballer for the town's first eleven. Greg Morris: Experienced Leg spin bowler who can have the most talented batsmen in trouble. Cresselly will be mindful of his presence. Clive Jones: The team's wicket-keeper. Also a fine, hard hitting middle order batsman who latches on to anything loose. Ben Quartermaine: Quick, aggressive opening bowler. Will have the Cresselly batsmen jumping around early on with the new ball. Aron Keane: Talented young player who is developing his batting and off spin with every game. One to look out for. Joel Davies: Aggressive batsman who can take the game away from the opposition. Brother of Ceri.