2019 DR Morris Cup Final Preview
Neyland v Lawrenny at Burton on Sunday, July 21st. 12pm start (two innings of 20 overs per team).
Umpires: Richard Scriven and Dave Brandon.
Last Sunday's World Cup cricket final will take some matching, but we'll give it a go.
This Sunday, a bit closer to home, it's the Duggie Morris final between Neyland and Lawrenny and if you go by the current Division One league table, you're talking about the two best current teams in the county.
No strangers to tense finishes
And neither have been strangers to drama this summer. Patrick Bellerby's final ball six to win the trophy in 2014 will linger long in the memory of those who witnessed it - but his role in this season's semi-final was every bit as crazy.
He and Henry Durrant needed 23 off the final over to beat Haverfordwest and a scrambled few minutes of penalty runs, wide balls, mis-fields and desperate running later, they somehow managed it.
Lawrenny also had to hold their nerve under pressure as James Buckle's final over boundary secured a win over Whitland. Their Harrison-Allen Bowl semi-final was the one that hit the headlines though, captain Joe Kidney's final ball maximum ensuring his side have two finals to look forward to.
Rules clarified
Neyland's recent experience in winning silverware speaks for itself, but Lawrenny are no longer just an emerging side. They are an efficient, quality outfit with dangerous players - and an intriguing final awaits.
And I guess in this day and age we should clarify what happens in the result of a tie: "Should a result not be obtained, or should the final result in a tie, the match will be awarded to the side scoring the most runs in the first innings. In the event of the match still being tied, the match will be awarded to the team having lost the least number of wickets in the first innings. If the result is still a tie, the match will be awarded to the team which has scored the most runs off the bat in the first innings. If the result is still a tie then five players from each side will bowl at the wickets. If the result is still a tie then a sudden death bowl off will take place."
No 'Super Over' then.....
PembrokeshireSport has spoken to both camps ahead of the final but first, a reminder of the respective 'Duggie' history of the two teams, and how they got here this time around.
The history:
In recent years, Neyland and the Duggie Morris have gone hand in hand.
Since 2011 the reigning champions have been in six of seven finals, winning five of them. There was a rare absence in 2017, but they re-asserted their dominance in 2018 by beating Kilgetty.
Overall, they have 10 wins in 17 final appearances - a record that dates back to when they were runners up to Cresselly in 1964.
It's fair to say they won't need showing round the clubhouse or what the magnificent trophy looks like.
In contrast, Lawrenny have just two final appearances to their name - losing to Haverfordwest in 2004 and Carew in 2006.
Routes to the final:
Round 1:
Neyland – bye.
Lawrenny (163-7) beat St Ishmaels (95 all out) by 68 runs.
Lawrenny: Joe Kidney 38 not out, James Skeels 27, Steve Lewis 30, Rob Williams 1-28, Brad McDermott-Jenkins 4-14, Ryan Morton 3-11.
Round 2:
Neyland (157-4) beat Cresselly (146-4) by 11 runs.
Neyland: Nick Koomen 27, Scott Jones 38, Henry Durrant 25, Andrew Miller 31 no out, Patrick Hannon 1-11, Sean Hannon 2-11, Geraint Rees 1-47.
Lawrenny (160-6) beat Pembroke Dock (113-6) by 9 wickets.
Lawrenny: Harry Thomas 39 not out and 1-34, Kurtis Marsh 63 not out and 1-23, Jamie Lewis 1-17, Ryan Morton 2-27, Rob Williams 4-8.
Semi-finals:
Neyland (174-2) beat Haverfordwest (173-6) by 8 wickets
Neyland: Nick Koomen 34, Ashley Sutton 12, Patrick Bellerby 98 not out and 1-16,
Sean Hannon 1-16, Henry Durrant 1-36, Geraint Rees 2-41.
Lawrenny (160-6) Whitland (156-6) by 7 wickets.
Lawrenny: Brad McDermott-Jenkins 40 and 1-25, Kurtis Marsh 32, Joe Kidney 30no, James Phillips 12, James Buckle 18 not out, Kurtis Marsh 2-13, Harry Thomas 1-35.
The captains' view
Sean Hannon (Neyland): “Lawrenny are a team we haven't played in a cup tournament over the last few years - but we know they are a good all-round side.
"We've been in a lot of Duggie Morris finals recently and had success so there won't be nerves as such. We know the occasion and won't change our tactics or our approach.
"We were up against it in the semi-final and came through - but I don't want us to be in that position again in the final innings!"
Joe Kidney (Lawrenny): “We as a club are delighted to be playing in the Duggie final.
“We haven’t won it before so that’s a massive incentive. Credit to Neyland they are a complete team so we are going to have to be at our best to get the result.
“We are in the Bowl final as well and that doesn’t impact this game - but it’s a tribute to how much we’ve progressed the past few seasons and I couldn’t be happier for the boys.
“They deserve the day out and our supporters will be getting behind us so we will certainly enjoy the special occasion.
Neyland squad (possible): Sean Hannon, Patrick Bellerby, Nathan Banner, Henry Durrant, Patrick Hannon, Nick Koomen, Gary Lloyd, Andrew Miller, Gregg Miller, George Evans, Geraint Rees, Tom Pritchard, Patrick Hannon.
Scorer: John Laugharne.
Lawrenny squad (possible): Joe Kidney, Rob Williams, Jamie Lewis, Steve Lewis, Brad McDermott-Jenkins, Ryan Morton, Harry Thomas, Kurtis Marsh, James Buckle, Tom Cole, James Phillips, James Skeels.
Scorer: Malcolm Thomas.