Haverfordwest (100 for 6) lost to Lamphey (101 for 4) by 6 wickets

(Match report by Hywel Gibbs) 

Lamphey’s record of chasing down totals has been less than impressive ever since Australian great Dave Lovell returned down under seven years ago. As recently as this season the first team succumbed to the jitters when responding to Stackpole’s meagre 124 even though they were well placed at 92 for 2 at one stage, to be bowled out for 114.

Fortunately, a band of youngsters look certain to buck that trend in the years ahead after the village’s under 15 team won the Pembrokeshire league title despite re-forming after a seven year hiatus. In defeating Haverfordwest by six wickets with two overs to spare, the team, led by Gianluca Tremarco and under the tutelage of Jason Oatley, managed to put any doubts and nerves behind them to provide the club with the only silverware they will receive all year.

With an unbeaten record in the lead up to the final, Haverfordwest would have started as favourites and their star players Josh Hicks and Ashley James showed why. Opener Hicks looked a solid figure at the crease as he stroked a powerful 30 while James, batting at three, looked equally as comfortable in his 27.

Runs were flowing so easily at one stage it appeared the Town may score a total well in excess of 100 yet Rob Hearne dismissed both as part of his 3 for 25 haul to stem the flow of runs and bring Lamphey into the game. Although Hearne starred with the ball, Tremarco was instrumental in Haverfordwest’s slowing run rate as he took three catches in addition to his figures of 1 for 6 earlier on.

Jack Price chipped in with 1 for 12 and Rhys Miller 1 for 11 at the end.

James and Hicks opened the bowling for the Town and conceded just one boundary between them yet they went for a combined total of 39 as Tremarco and Ben Adams ran brilliantly between the wickets. The first four didn’t materialise in Lamphey’s reply until the fourth over yet ones were turned into twos as they pushed the fielders hard.

They put on 26 for the first wickets before Adams went for 14 and when Tremarco left soon after the nerves started fluttering when Jack Price was dismissed for just four runs.

Lamphey needed a solid partnership and they got it in the form of Scott Brunton and Miller. Brunton, despite having another year left at this age group showed great composure as he struck 27 with three boundaries to his name, while Miller, Mr Dependable in the middle order was unbeaten at the end with 24, an innings that included 4 fours, three off consecutive balls as the finish drew closer.

Their fourth wicket partnership of 64 was broken with just three runs needed for victory as Brunton was bowled yet Miller, who was joined by Tom Powell at the close, hit the winning runs in the next over.

Coach Jason Oatley, who has played in numerous football and cricket finals over the years was overjoyed with the result and ranks this right up there with everything he has achieved in sport.

“It’s brilliant. To re-form a junior side after so many years and win it at the first attempt is a great feeling. These lads have performed brilliantly all season and only lost one game in the lead up to the play-offs. There are some good young players in this team and they deserve this success.”

After winning their first game of the season against Crymych, the young Stags were brimming with confidence for this encounter against local rivals Pembroke Dock at a beautiful looking Lamphey pitch, with not only league points up for grabs, but bragging rights in school the next day.

As in the first game of the season, Luca Trimarco lost the toss, with Pembroke Dock electing to field first. Luca and the impressive Ben Adams opened up the batting against the quick pace of D. Heeps, who showed why he is a regular in Pembroke Dock senior first eleven. The young Stags pushed a few singles, then with the score on 12, Luca played across the line to a straight ball off N. Brunton and looked back to see his middle stump on the ground. In at three came Dan Cremin, but with the pace of Heeps keeping the batsmen on the back foot, Lamphey lost the wicket of Ben Adams for a duck with the score still on 12. In at four came Rhys Miller who with Cremin set about the task ahead and played some wonderful shots to progress the score to 35, before Miller was bowled by B. Wood, for a wonderful knock of 14.

In at number five came Rob Hearn, who lasted only a few balls before being caught out for 4. Tom Powell came in next and gave as much strike to Cremin as possible, but then was also caught out for 1 run. Joe Powell next to the crease didnt last long as he also went for a duck. Cremin continued to play some tremendous shots, and kept the score flowing, as he was joined by Jack Price, Jack became the next victim being caught off the bowling of M. Carroll. Cyle Weatherall joined Cremin at the crease before Cremin was caught out for a fantastic knock of 40, much to his team mates delight, Lamphey ended the innings on 97. A decent total, but one Lamphey know they can improve on.

After the interval, the young Stags set about the task of restricting Pembroke Dock as much as possible. Luca opening the bowling with good pace, and Rob Hearn, bowling a nice tight line, but a solid start from the opening pair of T. Greenwood and J. Griffiths pushed the score onto 20. Dan Cremin came onto to replace Luca at the Railway end, and soon took the first wicket of Greenwood. Rhys Miller replaced Hearn and also took a quick wicket. Lamphey fielded well, and took catches at regular intervals. Miller continued to bowl a tight line, which showed in his end figures of 4 overs 2 maidens 1 for 6. Jack price came on and showed his quality with some straight, accurate bowling and the runs started to dry up for the Dock.

The game ebbed and flowed between both sides, and eventually it boiled down the last over, with the Dock requiring 6 runs to win. A little chat took place between the skipper, Luca and a couple of the bowlers. In the end Rob Hearn stated that he was well up for it, so stepped up to the plate, with a fair size crowd waiting in anticipation. Rob bowled his first ball, which was pushed for 2 runs, and by now most teams would have buckled under the pressure, but good captaincy and tremendous belief amongst the fielders, the voices were loud from the Young Stags, encouraging each other and the bowler. The next ball saw the Dock attempt a quick single, but with some impressive fielding and a quick bit of keeping from Tom Powell, L. thompson was run out. Rob showed the class he has with tight bowling for the next couple of balls, and on his fifth delivery he dissmissed K. Wright with a caught behind to seal victory for Lamphey.

A tremendous performance once again from the young Stags, and a good crowd watching, the delight was there to seen by everyone whilst still showing respect at the end of the game, which to be fair could have gone either way.

Man Of The Match was a close call, Rob Hearn was outstanding in the last over with so much pressure on him, he kept his composure and steered Lamphey to victory, but the man of the match this week goes to Dan Cremin, for his outstanding 40 runs with the bat.