The first round ties in the prestigious Harrison Allen Bowl took place last week, where all but one of the fixtures avoided the rain, where current holders Lawrenny fell at the first hurdle when they lost at home to close neighbours Carew, by seven wickets in the game of the week.
St Ishmaels overcame third division Hundleton on the Dale Peninsula, with a match ball sponsored by C&G Paint and Bodywork and there were wins for cup kings Neyland over Division 1 strugglers Llangwm whilst Pembroke triumphed in the all division 2 clash at Llandigigie Fawr against hosts Llanrhian.
The final first round encounter was due to take place on Thursday where Cresselly were the visitors to Springfield, to take on Whitland, the game rescheduled for this evening.
The second round gets underway next Tuesday, with sixteen team vying to reach the quarter final stage. The winners of tonight’s all first division encounter will travel to the Gerld Hicks Recreation ground to do battle with cup favourites Carew who are currently riding high at the top of the Division one table, 2 points ahead of possible opponents from ‘up the hill’ Cresselly if they defeat Whitland, the arch rivals also due to meet on Saturday in the league.
Division 2 promotion candidates St Ishmaels welcome Haverfordwest, where former players Karl Rhead, Lewis Rhead and wicketkeeper Huw Scriven will take on a Town team led by former team mate Chris Phillips, the Tish boys needing to keep their minds on the cricket if they want to progress to the Quarter Finals and not the big horse racing event being held in the village this coming Saturday.
Another second division side, Johnston, who have had a turn around of fortunes since the arrival of Steven Mills will host division 3 Pembroke Dock at Glebelands, Crymych of division 5 make the long midweek trek to the Clive Huxley memorial ground to play Bosherston and Stackpole who play their cricket two divisions above them. Oatfield Park has an intriguing tie between division 1 relegation threatened Burton and visitors Narberth, who are the pacesetters in division 2, whilst Lamphey of division 3 will grace the field at division 2 Hook. Perennial Bowl winners in recent years Neyland will entertain Pembroke at the Athletic Ground and the final tie of the round will see last season’s runner-up Saundersfoot take on visitors to the King George V field, fellow division 1 side Herbrandston, both sides in a rich vein of form. Wickets will be pitched at 6pm in all the fixtures of the 22 over a side contest.
Connect: Sport have studied the form guides and statistics in the newly set up ‘Cricket Hub’ and predict the following eight sides to make the Quarter Finals of the ‘Bowl’, the final of which is to be played at Cresselly Cricket Club on Saturday (Aug 30).
Bosherston & Stackpole, Carew, Hook, Johnston, Narberth, Neyland, Saundersfoot and St Ishmaels.
Do you agree with the predictions or can you see a different Quarter Final line up to challenge the Connect: Sports team knowledge? If so, let us know and the reasons why.
Round 1 Results
Kilgetty (75ao) lost to Burton (77-1) by 9 wickets
Lawrenny (95ao) lost to Carew (99-3) by 7 wickets
Llanrhian (119-8) lost to Pembroke (120-4)
Neyland (152-5) beat Llangwm (90ao) by 62 runs
St Ishmaels (53-1) beat Hundleton (52ao) by 9 wickets
Fixtures
Round 1
Monday (Jun 2)
Whitland v Cresselly (Huw Simpkins & Neil Thomas)
Round 2
Tuesday (Jun 3)
Johnston v Pembroke Dock (Ian Gow & Wil Ridge)
Neyland v Pembroke (Michael Borland & Nigel Richards)
Carew v Whitland or Cresselly (Chris Stapleton & Jon Willington)
Wednesday (Jun 4)
Hook v Lamphey (Gareth Brace & Huw Simpkins)
Bosherston & Stackpole v Crymych (Rob Bellerby and Ian Milsom)
Burton v Narberth (Nigel Richards & Neil Thomas)
Thursday (Jun 5)
Saundersfoot v Herbrandston (Trefor Evans & Jon Willington)
St Ishmaels v Haverfordwest (Ian Gow & Chris Stapleton)
Photos
Llangwm, who were defeated at Neyland but showed true grit and termination in the face of adversity, the Three Salmons regrouping as they seek new players to replenish their decimated ranks.
Umpires for Neyland v Llangwm, Neill Crawshaw and Jon Willington.
Photo Gallery (click to view in full)
