Host club Cresselly are through to their 21st Harrison-Allen Bowl final after a comortable semi-final victory over brave Burton.
Cresselly have been in prime batting form in recent weeks, and it was to be no different against Burton as they piled up a formidable total of 123 for 6 in their 22 overs.
Leading the charge was skipper Richard Harries with an unbeaten 38, while opener Lyn Richards chipped in with 21.
Four other batsmen also reached double figures, to set Burton a difficult task on what was a miserable evening.
And it became even more miserable for Burton as they soon slumped to a perilous 11 for 3, with opener Richard Burns also back in the pavilion with a leg injury.
Johnnie Griffiths and Steve Jones did their best to rescue the situation with 23 and 18, respectively, but their efforts were never going to be enough and in the end Burton fell 40 runs short of their target.
Phil James and Lyn Richards picked up a couple of wickets apiece for Cresselly, with James being particularly economical as he conceded just eight runs in his six overs.
The other semi-final between holders Lamphey and Lawrenny was a slightly closer affair - in fact, it was so close it ended in a tie and was due to be replayed this week!
It was Lawrenny who seemed to hold the upper hand for much of the time, but in the end both sides were perhaps feeling somewhat relieved at having another bite at the cherry.
Taking first knock, Dave Lovell once again got Lamphey off to a solid start with a top score of 22, and with Craig Nutty (16), Brian Hall (13) and Peter Hall (10) all weighing in with useful contributions, they eventually reached a total of 104 in the final over.
It was a useful total, but was certainly not an unobtainable one, and Lawrenny must have fancied their chances of pressing on to a surprise victory.
And they did those chances no harm at all as James Buckle (38), Chris Vincent (26) and Andrew Cole junior (10) all kept the scoreboard ticking over at a healthy rate.
Indeed, by the the time the last over arrived, Lawrenny looked to be sitting pretty, with their total on 102 for 6 and just three runs needed for victory.
It was then, however, that Lamphey skipper Lovell decided to leave his mark on the game, this time with the ball.
He bowled opposing skipper Rob Williams first ball, went on to add the wicket of Steve Lewis, and with Simon Cole also being run out, it was Lawrenny who were perhaps a little relieved to finally scamper a couple of singles for the tie.
Lamphey had earned their place in the semi-final after a thrilling quarter-final clash with championship rivals Carew.
The match produced a run feast, with Carew being asked to bat first and posting a formidable total of 148 for 5.
Robbie Hicks top scored with a lively 61 before being run out, while opener Ian Sefton was not far behind with 55.
Needing almost seven an over for victory, Lamphey faced a tough task, but with skipper Dave Lovell once again in imperious form they rose to the occasion to smash off the runs with three balls to spare.
Lovell remained unbeaten on 87, while valuable support came from Gareth Lewis (27), Daniel Sutton (17) and Craig Nutty (12 not out) as Lamphey finished on 152 for 2.
M.T.C.



