Cresselly are through to the final of the Graham Jewson Harrison-Allen Bowl for the second season in succession, after a convincing win over Narberth in the first semi-final at Carew. A large crowd were treated to a dazzling exhibition of batting by the Cresselly team in running up a total of 169 for 5. Most of the team have had previous experience of the atmosphere of a Bowl semi-final or final, and that experience paid dividends, as apart from Nick Evans, none of the Narberth players had appeared in a final and only three others (Wayne Howells, Greg Morris and Paul Phillips) had appeared in a semi-final. However, the experience of playing in this semi- final will be invaluable and Narberth will be at full throttle the next time around, if they clinch a semi- final spot next season. Nick Evans was a surprise late inclusion for skipper Ian Hughes, who suffered a locked knee whilst waiting for a lift to Carew. Hughes was taken to Glangwili Hospital for treatment after watching the match, and his absence weakened the bowling and the batting, as well as having an unsettling influence on the team. Julian Arthur and skipper Lyn Richards gave the Cresselly innings a good foundation with an opening partnership of 169. Arthur scored 21 and Richards 15 before both were trapped in front by Greg Morris and Wayne Howells, respectively. Left-hander Simon Cole timed the ball sweetly in his knock of 41 and the scoreboard kept ticking along with 14 from Damian Arthur and 24 not out by Adam Chandler. At times, the Narberth bowling was a little wayward, so that the Cresselly innings was boosted by 37 extras, including 21 wides. Oliver Cook took 2 for 17 and Wayne Howells 2 for 37. Narberth needed a good start and a healthy run rate. Although the runs came fairly quickly, it was at a cost. Marc Hughes was caught by Richard Harris off the bowling of Lyn Richards with the total on 19 and another key batsman, Paul Phillips, was bowled by Phil James with the total on 24. Opener Mike Scale had a fighting innings of 21 and Richard Adams played some nice straight drives, including two 6s, in scoring 29. In addition, 15-year-old Thomas Richards also showed great maturity and good shot selection in scoring 20, before being caught in the deep by Adam Chandler off spinner Ryan Lewis when attempting to force the pace. The departure of Richards signalled the end for Narberth, who were eventually bowled out for 111 to lose by 58 runs. Cresselly were also more miserly with the runs, bowled tightly and only conceded 14 extras in total with just six wides. Phil James took out the early order in his 4 for 33 spell, Ryan Lewis finished with 3 for 21 and Stefan Jenkins 2 for 30. Cresselly will face either Carew or Hook in the final, which will be held at Cresselly on Saturday, July 30, commencing at 12.30 pm. The second semi-final bewteen Carew and Hook was scheduled to be played yesterday evening at Haverfordwest.
