Whitland will appear in the final of the Thomas Scourfield and Sons Harrison-Allen Bowl, at Cresselly, for the first time on Sunday, August 5, when they will be up against Division One leaders Carew in the postponed final.

As reported in last week's Observer, the final was postponed as a mark of respect following the tragic and premature death of Whitland cricketer Meyrick Rowlands when playing in a second team cup semi-final at Hook against his former club Carew.

How did the two teams reach the final?

Making their seventh appearance in a Bowl semi-final, Whitland had an exciting three runs win over a much fancied Neyland team despite being restricted to the low total of 112-9.

Openers Dylan Blain, with 23 and Paul Davies with 18, put on 39 for the first wicket and skipper Matthew Davies scored 27 in the middle of the innings, with both David Dearden and Iestyn Scourfield scoring 13.

Spinner Gary Lloyd took 3-29 and there were two wickets each for Patrick Hannon, Andrew Miller and Henry Durrant.

In reply, in mounting tension at the large Racecourse ground in Haverfordwest, Neyland were held to 109-8 through a great team effort by the Whitland cricketers.

Patrick Bellerby scored 29, Paul Miller 22 and Andrew Miller 15.

Whitland wanted the result more than Neyland on the night, with Mark Lee, Jonathan Thomas and Matthew Davies each collecting two wickets.

Carew defeated Haverfordwest by 11 runs in the other semi-final at Pembroke Dock.

Excellent batting by Nick Scourfield with 60, who added 79 for the third wicket with Ian Sefton who hit three sixes in his innings of 34, with support from Tim Hicks with 18 took Carew to a total of 148-5.

There were two wickets each for Adam James and Simon Holliday.

Haverfordwest were on the rack at 50-6, but made a late victory bid during a seventh wicket partnership of 52, between Danny Potter who scored 49 with seven fours and one six and Dan Cole with 27no to reach 137-9.

Left arm seamer Scott Helmich took 4-38 and Tim Hicks 2-11.

Carew will be overwhelming favourites for the Bowl when the big match is played with their track record in the competition over the years and their experience on the big stage, not only in Bowl finals but also in the closing stages of the Village Cup.

Whitland will be the new kids on the block, but do not make the mistake of writing off the Whitland team which is now beginning to bear the fruits of the Ormond Youth Cup success in recent years. Eight of the team which defeated Neyland in the semi-final have experience of winning the Ormond Youth Cup.

Not quite the same as appearing in the Bowl final before a large crowd at Cresselly maybe, but they will have huge support from their own supporters as demonstrated each time they have been in the final of the Ormond Youth Cup at Carew.

After waiting so long to get the chance to lift the Bowl, unless the Whitland players suffer from stage fright, they will make a determined effort to upset the odds at a time when the players are reaching peak form.

The battle hardened Carew team will also want to lift the Bowl once more, but Whitland are more than capable of springing one more surprise in a season of surprises.

Whenever a Bowl final is postponed for whatever reason, it is never quite the same. The buzz of expectation is still there, but it is not as great and the players who have buoyed themselves up for a match on one date, now have to do it all over again for the revised date, as well as playing in a league match the day before.

In some ways, the new date may well favour Carew rather than Whitland as some of the original magic will have disappeared and it will be difficult for the Whitland players not to remember the reason for the postponement of the final.

However, the Whitland team may be able to shake off the pre-match nerves and raise their game to win the match in memory of the late Meyrick Rowlands. The team selectors will have the luxury of picking the team from a full squad of players.

Carew will have to decide who to bring in to replace skipper Robert Hicks and opening batsman Gareth Lewis, who are both unavailable. All-rounder Tim Hicks, who was not available for the original date, will be available for the revised date.

In recent weeks, a number of second team players have been knocking on the door for first team selection and there is no shortage of talented players from whom to make the choice, depending on tactical approaches.

Whatever the teams both clubs field, it will be a day to savour for both club supporters and the neutral supporters with players sure to produce some exciting and unexpected cricket.

The umpires will be Allan Hansen, of Neyland, and Dave Brandon, of Moylegrove, who is unattached.

The John Cole memorial Trophy Man-of-the-Match adjudicators will be two well-known current players, Karl Rhead, of St. Ishmaels, and James Buckle. of Lawrenny.

Wickets will be pitched as 12 pm and admission prices, including a free raffle ticket, are £5 for adults and £3 for old age pensioners. Children under 16 will be admitted free of charge.