On Sunday, August 26, the holders Whitland will play Llangwm in the final of the Tony Pidgeon Ormond Youth Cup at Carew. The Whitland team will be playing in their seventh final in nine years and the fifth in succession, a truly amazing record for any age group sporting team. It will be the fourth time for Whitland to play Llangwm in recent years, as the teams also met in 1999, 2000 and 2004 finals. In finals between the two teams, Whitland have won twice and Llangwm once in the year 2000 after Whitland had won the competition for the first time in 1999. Whitland are the defending cup holders and also won the cup in 2004 and 2005. The success of both Whitland and Llangwm in reaching the final so frequently in recent seasons reflects the ability and commitment of the team managers and coaches at both clubs and also of the willingness of the young cricketers to apply themselves at their game. Three Whitland players, Jonathan Thomas, Bobby Webb and Iestyn Scourfield, play regular first team cricket in Division One of the Imperial Garages Pembroke County Cricket League. Bobby Webb and Iestyn Scourfield open the bowling for the Whitland first team and all-rounder Jonathan Thomas plays as an opening batsman and off-spin bowler. Carl Smith produced a match-winning performance in the semi-final against the combined Neyland and Johnston team with his accurate seamers and James 'Cub' Davies should feature in the run scoring department. Skipper Daniel Newton will be appearing in his fifth successive final. He also led the side last season and is one of the best fielders in this side along with Alex Pickersgill. All good teams need a top class glove man and Dafydd Evans is the man behind the stumps. The young Whitland cricketers are also good all- round sportsmen, with no less than five of the team, Jonathan Thomas, Daniel Newton, James Davies, Alex Pickersgill and Aled Davies, in different age groups at the Llanelli Scarlets. The Whitland players are all looking forward to playing in the final. Speaking to Observer Sport, team manager and coach Colin John said: "We are pleased to be in the final again. It is a great occasion each time and we have done well to get there this year as we faced a very difficult game against the Neyland and Johnston team in the semi-final. "The boys are thrilled at the prospect of playing Llangwm in the final and it should be an excellent game of cricket between two well-balanced teams." Skipper Daniel Newton adopted a realistic, pragmatic and determined approach when he said: "Llangwm will provide extremely tough opposition in the final. We will have to be at our very best to succeed and to overcome the challenge to win the cup for the fourth season in succession." Wickets will be pitched at 12.30 pm. The umpires are Dave Loosmore, of Johnston, and Arthur Brady, of Haverfordwest. The Hugh Phillips Man of the Match trophy adjudicators will be John Harries and Lyn Smith, who work tirelessly throughout the season to produce league fixtures, tables and results. Admission prices are £4 for adults and £2 for pensioners or children.
Whitland Pen Pictures
Daniel Newton (captain), 17: The winning captain last year, Daniel will be involved in his fifth successive final. A leg injury has restricted his bowling, but he is a star fielder and a more than useful batsman. Aled Davies, 15: The young all-rounder will be playing in his first final. James 'Cub' Davies, 16: A consistent batsman, James will be playing in his third final and hopes to be on the winning side once again. Dafydd Evans, 17: The team's wicket-keeper, he will be playing in his second final and is a productive middle order batsman. Nathan Evans, 15: A reserve wicket-keeper and an excellent fielder, he will be playing in his first final. He has been scoring runs in senior and youth cricket. Scott Newton, 15: The younger brother of Daniel Newton, he is a hard hitting middle order batsman. Recently he hit a six out of the ground at Whitland, much to the delight of his colleagues, but not to the driver of the passing car as the ball hit the roof the car! Lewis Owen, 17: A good club man who will be appearing in his third final. Alex Pickersgill, 17: A committed all-rounder who will be playing in his fourth final. Iestyn Scourfield, 16: The young opening bowler has had a good season for the first team in division one and he can also play his part with the bat. Carl Smith, 17: One of the team's key bowlers, he produced a match winning performance in the semi-final against a combined Neyland and Johnston team. Jonathon Thomas, 16: Consistent batting throughout the season has earned the young player a first team place. He has been opening the batting for the first team in recent weeks, scored two half centuries on the trot and is an excellent spin bowler. Bobby Webb, 17: Another young player who has been a first team regular this season and a consistent wicket-taker as an opening bowler. Mathew Webb, 15: The younger brother of Bobby Webb who has taken wickets regularly in senior cricket this season. Richard Merriman (scorer): The energetic club chairman likes nothing better than scoring for the youth team when having a break from his umpiring duties around the Pembrokeshire cricket circuit. During the winter months he is also one of the key figures behind the scenes for Whitland rugby club.