Commenting after the match, Whitland skipper Mathew Davies said that he was very proud of the Whitland team.
He added: “It was a good final. We always knew that it would be tough but we did not score enough runs in the first innings.
“We were still in the game in the second innings and aimed for 150 to 160 to set Neyland a winning target of at least 150.
“It did not happen, but we did give ourselves something to be proud of when Neyland batted the second time.
“We did that and in the end came close to winning the final.
“It was a real team effort by both sides with no stand out batting performance.
“Jonathan Thomas won man of the match and deserved it.”
It was the first time for many years that no batsman scored 50 or more, with Nick Koomen’s innings of 44 being the highest score.
Pembroke County Club vice-chairman Paul Webb said: “I think that the last time no batsman scored a 50 was the first time since 1992, when in the final between Carew and Haverfordwest, the highest score was the 43, scored by Andrew Phillips for eventual winners Haverfordwest.”
Another interesting feature of the 2015 final was that the last over of each innings was bowled from the Pavilion end, which is unusual as it has the shortest boundary
In the first innings of 22 overs, Whitland had a below par total of 125-9.
Early order batsman Jonathan Thomas scored 31, supported by a pugnacious 31 from Leighton O’Connor.
Wickets fell at frequent intervals as spinner Andrew Miller took 3-21 from six overs, Patrick Hannon 3-42 and Nathan Banner 2-33.
In reply, Neyland gained an important lead of 29 with a total of 154-5.
Opener Gregg Miller led the way with 48 and had consistent support from Ashley Sutton with 32, Nick Koomen with 24 and Henry Durrant with 21no.
For Whitland, Wayne Howells took 3-44, with 12 of the runs coming from the last two balls of the innings and Greg Sleep kept the runs down with 1-25 in his allotted six overs.
Play was interrupted by rain and the players took an early tea, before the Neyland innings had been completed.
As the weather improved, so did Whitland as the batsmen made a better fist of things in the second innings with a total of 137-9.
Jonathan Thomas was in the runs again with 28, opener Dylan Blain scored 26 and skipper Mathew Davies 25.
Andrew Miller had another three wickets haul with 3-29 and Nathan Banner took 3-39.
This set Neyland a winning target of 111, the dreaded ‘Nelson.’
Spectators expecting the runs to be knocked of in 12 to 14 overs were made to think again.
Low targets often provide exciting finishes, as indeed proved to be the case.
Mathew Davies, his bowlers and the fielders rose to the challenge of restricting the run rate and Neyland fell behind in the run chase.
At one time, the run rate rose to seven an over and 23 runs were required to win from the last three overs.
Spinner Jonathan Thomas had varied his flight and pace cleverly and when he took three wickets in the 19th over, the pressure was really on Neyland.
Two more wickets fell and four runs were needed from the last four balls, bowled by Leighton O’Connor.
The Hannon twin brothers were at the crease and with the scores level, with one ball remaining, Patrick Hannon opened his shoulders to drive the last ball of the match for four, to win the game.
Apart form Nathan Banner, with a cameo innings of 17, the pick of the batsmen was Nick Koomen with a cultured innings of 44, which ended when he attempted an expansive reverse sweep off Jonathan Thomas, only to be trapped with his pads in front of the stumps.
After the match, County Club chairman Tony Scourfield congratulated both teams on reaching the final and Neyland for winning the competition. He also thanked the supporters of both teams and other spectators for the way in which they behaved.
He thanked head groundsman Glyn Cole, Denis Chiffi and the rest of the Cresselly ground staff for their efforts in preparing the pitch, which produced such good cricket.
In addition, he thanked the umpires and scorers for the way in which they carried out their duties, the ladies who had provided such an excellent tea and Paul Webb for operating the excellent public address system.
He also thanked Mr. Hugh Harrison-Allen for sponsoring the tea as he does each year, and Mr. Thomas Scourfield representing the competition sponsors, Thomas Scourfield and Sons, for their invaluable financial support.
He added that he was most grateful to all the members of the county executive committee for their work in connection with the final plus the local media for their cricket coverage
Mr. Hugh Harrison-Allen presented the magnificent Harrison-Allen Bowl to a delighted Gregg Miller, the Neyland captain and medals were presented to both teams by Mr. Hugh Harrison-Allen and Mr. Thomas Scourfield, of Thomas Scourfield and Sons.
Commemorative medals were also presented to the umpires Les Hastings, of Hook, and John Williams, of Hundleton, together with medals to the two scorers Janice Webb, of Whitland, and John Laugharne, of Neyland.
Adjudicators Dave Morris and Richard Fanus nominated Whitland all-rounder Jonathan Thomas as the man-of-the-match.
In making the announcement, Dave Morris said that it had been awarded to Jonathan Thomas for his all-round display with bat and ball, together with his impact on the match, despite finishing on the losing side.
He was presented with the John Cole Memorial Man-of-the-Match Trophy by Glyn Cole.
Pics Susan McKehon