Narberth Seconds' hopes of lifting the Alec Colley Cup were dashed by Haverfordwest Seconds on Sunday in a final where they never played to their true potential against a team a division higher than them.
Although currently bidding from promotion from division three of the county cricket league, Narberth were unable to maintain the run rate needed to score the 161 runs required to win in their second innings and were bowled out for 82 to give Haverfordwest victory by a margin of 78 runs.
It was an excellent all round performance by the second division side and, although Narberth bowled and batted better the second time around, they were let down by poor fielding and the inability to bat for 22 overs in each of their innings.
In the first innings of the final at Pembroke, opener Rob Summons had a superb knock of 75 to set up a Haverfordwest total of 129 for 6.
The powerfully built wicket-keeper/batsman chanced his arm and took on the fielders a number of times as he hit two 6s and nine 4s in his stay at the crease, during which he faced 72 deliveries.
Unfortunately for Narberth, Summons was let off the hook three times through dropped catches and he was allowed to dominate the innings to such an extent that no other Haverforwest player reached 20.
In fact, the only other players in double figures were Robert Thomas with 14 and Simon James with 16 not out.
Narberth suffered a body blow when the match was just seven overs old when skipper Richard Howell split the webbing between his fingers when attempting to take a catch.
Howell was forced to leave the field for hospital treatment and took no further part in the match. Narberth missed his accurate bowling and determined batting and had to play the rest of the match with the handicap of being a bowler and a batsman short.
Gary Hughes took over the duties of skipper and led the team well. He was the most penetrative bowler in the first innings, taking 4 for 43, and there was a wicket each for Jason Oatley and Mathew Davies.
Haverforwest had a first innings advantage of 52 as Narberth were dismissed for 77 with almost five overs of their first innings remaining.
The Narberth innings fell apart with a lower order collapse after opener Mike Scale scored 18, supported by Jason Oatley with 15 and Gary Hughes with 10.
It was a consistent bowling and fielding display by the town team as Micky Phillips took 3 for 11, with skipper Colin Williams, Stephen Phillips and Simon James picking up two wickets each.
In limited overs cricket it is essential to use all of the available overs when batting and to take chances when offered in the field, and Narberth were made to pay the penalty in the second innings.
Although there was a big improvement in the bowling and fielding by their players, Haverfordwest reached a total of 108 for 4.
Middle order batsman Jamie Jenkins had an attacking innings of 50 not out from 55 deliveries after Rob Summons had been well taken by Clive Jones from the bowling of Gary Hughes for 18.
Jenkins received valuable support from Steve James with a quickfire 18.
Jason Oatley took 3 for 25, supported by Gary Hughes with 1 for 21.
Requiring 161 runs to win in the second innings, Narberth needed to score quickly from the start to achieve the run rate.
However, accurate bowling by Simon James and Stephen Phillips put pressure on the batsmen and wickets tumbled through unforced errors.
Although Mike Scale attempted to hold the innings together, his knock of 34 lacked the necessary support, until Clive James gave the innings a boost lower down the order with a brisk 20.
However, by this stage it was all over bar the shouting, although the batting of Scale and James gave the Narberth players and supporters something to cheer and a glimpse of what might have been had the side performed better in the first innings of the match.
After James and Phillips had finished their spells, the experienced pair of Micky Phillips and Colin Williams took over and there were very few pickings for the batsmen to feed upon.
Skipper Colin Williams ended with 4 for 15, Simon James took 2 for 19 and Micky Phillips 2 for 24.
Although Richard Howell returned to the match following hospital treatment, he had to watch from the sidelines and was disappointed that Narberth were a little below par on the day.
However, he was quick to praise the team for their one hundred per cent effort, and the Narberth supporters at the match realised that their team was at a clear disadvantage with a batsman and a bowler short in each innings.
Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremonies, county chairman Phillip Thomas said: "Can I firstly congratulate both Narberth and Haverfordwest on reaching today's final and for giving us all so much entertaining cricket. Thanks should firstly go to Mr. Dick Parry, of Dyrham Service Station, Robeston Wathen, for his generous sponsorship again today. Without such sponsorship we would not be able to put on cricket in the county in the manner we have been accustomed to.
"To Pembroke Cricket Club, we thank you for making your facilities available to us today and to the ground staff for once again preparing the pitch and outfield, especially with the terrible weather we had yesterday and through the night.
"For those lucky enough to have had tea with us today, I am sure you will join me in thanking the Pembroke club for putting on a wonderful spread.
"For all their work today, to the umpires and scorers, well done for the way in which you have carried out your duties.
"To Mike Leighs for again donating the Man of the Match trophy, we once again thank you."
In the unavoidable absence of competition sponsor, Mr. Dick Parry, the presentation of the trophy and the medals to the Haverfordwest team was made by the county president, Cyril Venables.
Haverfordwest skipper, Colin Williams, congratulated the Narberth team on reaching the final and for putting up such a hard fight in each innings.
He said that it was a great shame that Richard Howell had been injured so early in the match and prevented from taking any further part in the final.
However, he congratulated all of the Haverforwest team for an excellent all round batting, bowling and fielding display.
Mr. David Williams, president of the Pembroke Cricket Club, then made the presentations of individual medals to the Narberth team.
Cyril Venables presented commemorative medals to the two umpires, Dave Morris and Allan Hansen, and to the scorers, Ros Phillips, of Haverforwest, and Idwal Vincent, of Narberth.
The Mike Leighs Man of the Match trophy was adjudicated by Mike Leighs and Carew's Tony Scourfield. After mentioning a number of individual performances, it was announced that Rob Summons, of Haverforwest, had been chosen for the award.
In conclusion, Phillip Thomas reminded players and spectators that the Ormond Youth Cup would be played at Carew on Sunday, August 25, and that the Duggie Morris Cup final would be played at Burton between Haverforwest and Lamphey on Monday, August 26. Both finals would commence at 1 pm.