The Pembroke County Cricket Club DR Morris Cup got underway last week with the first round and commencing on Tuesday (May 20) the Quarter Finals of the competition, which began in 1962, will take place.
The competition was originally for winners of the Division 1 title and Harrison Allen Bowl winners but has been extended in recent years to include these teams and any team which competes in the top two divisions of the Pembroke County Cricket leagues.
The winners of the first three finals were Cresselly, who have lifted the prestigious trophy presented by the family of Duggie Morris, a former County Club Chairman now on fifteen occasions, the last in 2010 when they beat Llangwm who won the trophy on two occasions, 1968 and 2003.
The holders of the DR Morris Cup are Neyland and Sean Hannon as captain has won the competition for the last three years having beaten Carew last season at Oatfield Park, the traditional home of the final due to Duggie Morris association with the local club, then Burton United but more recently, Burton. The all whites first win was in 1967 (v Cresselly) and since 2012 when they lost to Haverfordwest (winners 10 times) they have won nine times, Neyland only failing to reach the final twice, in 2017 when Whitland recorded their only win by beating Haverfordwest and 2017, when Lawrenny did the same over close neighbours, Carew who have won the final on a dozen occasions. The competition wasn’t played in 2020 (due to Covid) and was abandoned in 1985, Narberth the only other winners, in consecutive years from 1965.
Narberth, currently leading Division 2 progressed to the Quarter Finals as another Division 2 side, Johnston withdrew from the competition after the original encounter was washed out, and will play the 2024 Harrison Allen Bowl winners Saundersfoot, who accounted for Llangwm by 9 wickets at the King George V field
Lawrenny overcame second division St Ishmaels by nine wickets and now host rivals Cresselly, the Doves having beaten fellow first division side Herbrandston by 56 runs.
Springfield will see Whitland, winners at the Racecourse against Haverfordwest by 8 runs host the cup holders Neyland after they accounted for Division 2 basement side Llanrhian.
The final Quarter Final tie sees Division 2 promotion chasing Pembroke, who beat Hook by 4 wickets at Treelet travel to the Gerald Hicks Memorial Ground where Division 1 pace setters Carew will welcome them, after the Rooks defeated Burton by six wickets at the same venue.
Tuesday (May 20)
Lawrenny v Cresselly (Umpires: Robe Bellerby & Trefor Evans)
Saundersfoot v Narberth (Umpires: Chris Stapleton & Steve Williams)
Wednesday (May 21)
Carew v Pembroke (Umpires: Rob Bellerby & Huw Simpkins)
Thursday (May 22)
Whitland v Neyland (Umpire: Neil Thomas)
Connect: Pembrokeshire Sport give a big shout out in recognition of the groundsman who prepare the pitches and the outfield week in week out during the season, with this time of year particularly busy with not only league games, but cup games, junior fixtures, ladies fixtures and friendlies.
Pictured are two such volunteers for Haverfordwest, Ashley James, with the grass cutter and James ‘Tacky’ Marchant with the paint brush for the crease lines.
