Action pictures by Tim Phillips

 

2024 Harrison-Allen Bowl Semi-Final 1:

 
 

Llangwm (93 for 8) lost to Saundersfoot (94 for 3) by 7 wickets

 
Umpires: Chris Stapleton & Jonathan Willington
Scorers: Sara Jeffrey & Adge John
Scoreboard operator: Rhys Richards
 
Venue: Carew Cricket Club
 
Nick Cope was the clear man of the match as his all-round performance guided Saundersfoot to their first-ever appearance in the final of Pembrokeshire’s ‘Blue Riband’ cricket competition, leaving Llangwm to reflect on what have been as The Seasiders generally bowled and fielded better, then survived early scares to win with seven wickets and 29 balls still in hand.
 
Cope was joined by John Mansbridge as The Seasiders’ main men, who shared seven of the eight wickets that Llangwm lost - and added 67 runs in an unbroken partnership after they had limped to 27 for 3 and Llangwm looked to be back in with a chance
 

Llangwm struggle against accurate bowling - supported by excellent fielding

 
The large crowd which had flocked to Carew seemed to feel that they would watch a high-scoring tussle, with sixes galore flying into the gardens at the clubhouse end but after being asked to bat first by opposing skipper Yannic Parker - a wise choice after so much overnight rain and warm, cloudy conditions which meant that opening bowlers Danny Caine and Sam Franklin proved to be a handful and actually bowled their combined 12 overs straight through as a key part of their winning formula.
 
It meant that Llangwm openers Steve Mills and skipper Noah Davies did well to formulate an opening stand of 52 but by then it was the 13th of 22 overs when Mills lofted a catch into the safe hands of Gareth Edwards having struck two fours in his 24, with a runner needed towards the end after he pulled a hamstring muscle going for a sharp single.
 

Cope and Mansbridge pounce as they shared 7 wickets

 
The Seasiders maintained their well-set field placing and excellent ground fielding so that the pressure didn’t ease after Matthew Kiff (10) departed with the score on 70 in the 16th over, top-edging a catch to wicket-keeper Danny Brace off Cope.
 
Llangwm could only muster 16 runs in the next five vital overs as Luke Brock gave Mansbridge his second wicket, caught by James Caine, before Cope shifted Ollie Davies and Shaun Waller cheaply - and after skipper Davies had watched all this happening from the other end and had managed just one boundary in his 37 runs, he was well caught by Danny Caine as Mansbridge’s third scalp.
 
Toby Asson was run out and Jamie Lewis was bowled by Cope, both for ducks - and it left Cope with special figures of 4 for 13 in five overs, so that Llangwm could only  strike four boundaries in their 22 overs, a tribute to the discipline shown by Saundersfoot.
 

Llangwm battle back with three quick wickets

 
Llangwm’s only real hope of winning depended on them bowling out The Seasiders and after openers Tom Mansbridge and Danny Caine had started steadily it looked as if it was not going to happen - until Mills defied his injury to bowl Danny Caine and Noah Davies bowled Franklin for a duck, quickly followed by Tom Mansbridge, who forgot his determination to not go the aerial route for runs and as well caught in the deep by James Lewis.
 
At 27 for 3 Llangwm must have felt that a couple more quick wickets might give them a genuine chance but although they went close twice the pairing of Cope and John Mansbridge gradually broke the pressure applied by Davies in particular as he stroked two fours in a single over and from then on this batting pair maintained control.
 

Cope in control as Saundersfoot seal success

 
This pair built their partnership beyond 50 and with Cope having five fours in his unbeaten 35 and Mansbridge being the perfect foil with his solid play, and excellent running between the wickets, there was no denying Saundersfoot their first ever final - and a great night of celebration back at their clubhouse.
 
Llangwm were understandably disappointed as they played without the injured Inward brothers but that takes nothing away from The Seasiders, who were outstanding on the night - and all 11 players can now look forward to appearing in their first-ever Bowl Final, against Lawrenny.



 

SCORECARD:

 
Llangwm Batting:
Noah Davies ct Danny Caine b John Mansbridge 37
Steve Mills ct Gareth Edwards b John Mansbridge 24
Matthew Kiff ct Danny Brace b Nick Cope 10
Luke Brock ct James Caine b John Mansbridge 3
Ollie Davies b Nick Cope 5
Shaun Weller lbw b Nick Cope 2
Andrew Brock not out 1
Toby Asson run out 0
Jamie Lewis b Nick Cope 0
Evan Griffiths not out 1
Extras 10
Total (8 wickets) 93
 
Saundersfoot Bowling:
Danny Caine 6-0-24-0; Sam Franklin 6-0-18-0; John Mansbridge 5-0-33-3; Nick Cope 5-0-13-4
 
Saundersfoot Batting:
Tom Mansbridge ct James Lewis b Noah Davies 16
Danny Caine b Steve Mills 7
Sam Franklin b Noah Davies 0
Nick Cope not out 35
John Mansbridge not out 23
Extras 17
Total (3 wickets) 94
 
Llangwm Bowling:
Noah Davies 6-1-24-2; Steve Mills 6-0-30-1; Matthew Kiff 3-0-26-0; Ollie Davies 2.1-0-12-0