THIS Sunday (Jul 17) Neyland take on Pembroke in the final of the Duggie Morris Cup.
Division 2 side Pembroke take on current Division 1 champions Neyland over two innings each with the game being played at Burton.
Neyland have enjoyed success in the Duggie Morris over recent years while Pembroke have said they are in it to win it.
It promises to be another exciting final and the game gets underway at 12pm.
ROUTE TO THE FINAL
Pembroke began their route to the final with a four wicket win over Lamphey. Lamphey had scored 165-1 in their innings but Pembroke were able to reach their target to seal a place in the second round.
They then came up against Division 1 side St Ishmaels. Pembroke scored 168-5 first up before restricting Tish to 147-8 in reply.
In the semi-final, Pembroke beat Narberth by eight wickets. Narberth scored 165-7 but Pembroke’s Jack Harries scored 83 not out to see his side into the final.
It will be Pembroke’s first final for 17 years and they are keen to go on and win it.
Neyland’s run to the final saw them begin with an eight-wicket win over Cresselly. Cresselly had scored 155-6 in their innings but Neyland were able to reach their target to go through to the quarter finals.
In the next round they played Haverfordwest at home. Neyland scored 147-8 in their innings and it looked like Town were going on to win the game.
However a superb final over saw Neyland seal victory by two runs to go through to the semis.
They came up against last year’s winners Lawrenny in the last four. Neyland scored 137-5 in their innings before bowling Lawrenny out for 106 to book their place in the final.
WHAT THE CAPTAINS SAY
Neyland captain Sean Hannon said: “We are looking forward to playing the final again after our last appearance in 2019. It wasn’t played in 2020 because of Covid and we got knocked out in the early rounds in 2021.
“The competition has been great for us over the years and we always enjoy the occasion so this one will be no different. Congratulations to Pembroke on making the final, there wouldn’t have been many division two sides getting to the final before, so they deserve a huge amount of credit for getting this far.
“They will obviously be trying to go one step further and win it so we certainly won’t be underestimating them in what I’m sure will be a good hard fought final.”
Pembroke captain Jack Harris said: “If you would have told us at the start of the season that we’d be playing a Duggie Morris final we would have just laughed. In all seriousness, the run that we’ve been on to get to this stage is exactly what the club deserves for all its hard work both on and off the field in previous seasons.
“Its going to be a proud moment for myself to captain a final for the club I’ve been brought up with, and to follow in my fathers’ footsteps of being the second Harries to captain a Duggie Morris final. Pembroke have never won the Duggie Morris and it’s been 17 years since our last cup final, so we will be throwing 200% at this game to try and be the first Pembroke side that do. We will have huge support no doubt from our very own ‘Barmy Army’ on the day!!
“Obviously, our opponents on the day are a strong outfit. Neyland have been winning silverware for years and years now and no doubt will be a tough opponent on Sunday. I’m fully expecting a very tough game against a strong Neyland side that will test us to our limit.
“We’ve been the underdogs all the way through the competition so far, and taken down 2 first division sides already, including the new league leaders Narberth in the Semi-final, so I believe there will be no pressure on us.
“Its down to us now to go that one step further and make it a day to remember for Pembroke CC. We’re not there to make up the numbers, we’re there to win.”
