The ECB Under 19 T20 Blast Pembrokeshire Finals Day, sponsored locally by TeesRus, was hosted by Haverfordwest Cricket Club.

After a hard fought day’s cricket, over two venues (the other being Hook CC) which saw 320 overs, 120 players, 22 hours of cricket, and 10 matches on four pitches, Llanelli Knights emerged victorious over Burton Warriors in the main competition and were presented with the cup by Cricket Wales’ Mark White, thanks to a man-of-the match winning performance from wicket-keeper/batsman Ben Edwards.

Defeated semi-finalists were Cleddau Crusaders and Treleet Tigers.

Haverfordwest Blue Lightning won the Plate competition over Carew Rooks, who defeated Cresselly Crusaders in one Plate semi-final, with Neyland Black Caps losing to the Blue Lightning.

The format saw for the first time in Pembrokeshire coloured pyjamas, pink balls and lime green coloured umpires (Andrew Phillips, Tony Waldeis, Rob Cousins, Neil Croucher and Robert Ridge) in a day of fast, furious and entertaining cricket.

Co-ordinator Jonathan Twigg was indebted to the committee and staff of Haverfordwest Cricket Club who helped organise the day. Steward Mark Coneybear, caterers Pete and Kay and the supporting working party of volunteers were immense in ensuring the day went ahead. Groundsmen Mike Smith, Roger Thomas, Ashley James and George Thomas worked tirelessly to produce pitches to complement the day, which was fronted by Richard ‘Musicman’ Scriven and Lucy Phillips, who kept the crowd and players entertained royally.

A magic moment occurred in the first semi-final in Haverfordwest when Glamorgan 2nds player Tom Murphy, of Cresselly Crusaders, had an all bowled hat-trick on the way to a 6-7 haul in three overs against Treelet Tigers, which wasn’t enough to save his comrades from a huge defeat.

Mr. Twigg continued in his acclaim of the off-pitch entertainment from Jeff Clouts Bouncy Castles, Kyle Hamer (Zorbs), Jar of Hearts confectionary and Kelly Williams (face painting) whilst thanking Heatherton Country Park for the sponsorship of the raffle.

Welcomed guests for the day were Mark White, Rick Walton and Matthew Freeman from Cricket Wales, Ken Davies from event sponsor TeesRUs and Huw Simpkins, who is the local face of Natwest in the community.

Mr. Simpkins summed up the day’s cricket as being “a fantastic advert for Pembrokeshire sport and cricket in particular.

“The photo taken by Annie Latham captured the 120 players, team managers and officials giving a truly colourful insight to just what the event epitomised; camaraderie, competition, enthusiasm and smiles, where cricket was the undoubted winner.

“The commitment from Jonathan Twigg to drive this vehicle to such a successful conclusion sets this up as a model for other Area and Group finals to use and develop for their own success. It’s a pleasure for me to represent NatWest and to be associated with today on a local and of course national level.”

Results

Quarter-finals: Treleet Tigers beat Cresselly Crusaders by 47 runs; Burton Warriors beat Neyland Black Caps by eight wickets; Cleddau Crusaders beat Carew Rooks by two wickets; Haverfordwest Blue Lightning lost to Llanelli Knights by eight wickets.

Semi-finals: Treleet Tigers lost to Llanelli Knights by 63 runs; Cleddau Crusaders lost to Burton Warriors by seven wickets

Final: Llanelli Knights beat Burton Warriors by three wickets.

Plate semi-finals: Haverfordwest Blue Lightning beat Neyland Black Caps by 41 runs; Cresselly Crusdaers lost to Carew Rooks by seven wickets.

Plate final: Haverfordwest Blue Lightning beat Carew Rooks by 14 runs.