Sunday 8 July 2012

The rain plays havoc with the South Wales Cricket Association


The South Wales Cricket Association top flight was a complete washout for the second time this season with some teams having lost four matches out of a possible eleven to the rain.
There was some action lower down the league, however, with Division Two pacemakers Carmarthen Wanderers securing a winning draw at Aberdare.
The Wanderers set a total of 127-7 in a reduced 30 overs under the cover of darkened skies, Gareth Thomas was the visitors' standout performer, falling just short of his half century on 46. Geoff Derrick was the best with the ball with 3-60 but the hosts' economy with the ball wasn’t anything to shout about.
Thomas was once again the thorn in Aberdare’s side as the all rounder took 4-26 while Ian Marsh also collected four wickets, but in the end, the hosts dug in and held on to avoid defeat finishing on 80-8.
Cowbridge kept the pressure on at the summit as the promotion hopefuls bagged their fifth win of the season, strolling to an eight wicket victory at Llanelli.
A scintillating display with the ball by Aminudin Ramily, who picked up 6-14, reduced Llanelli to 75 all out. In reply, Captain Fantastic, Tom Merilaht, was once again the stalwart at the crease finishing 38 not out, as the visitors strolled to victory posting 79-2.
Bronwydd recorded their third win of the season with a comfortable eight wicket victory over Morriston.
The Swansea outfit notched up 104-7 in a reduced 36 overs with Owain Gimblett top scoring on 34. Steve Williams was on fire with the ball taking 4-31 for the visitors.
The Carmarthenshire team then set about the chase, reaching their target 105-2 in the 27th over, with Williams providing an unbeaten 46 as his side cruised to victory.
Meanwhile, Skewen moved level on points with Gorseinon in third place courtesy of a seven wicket defeat of their rivals.
Gorseinon made slow progress at the crease as they carded 123-7 in 50 overs, Josh Simmons knocked 29 while Jamie Williams struck a useful in with 32. Mark Lewis was most economical with the ball capturing 3-31.
Skewen in reply, aided by a quickfire 65 not out form JS Jones that included nine 4’s, reached the total in 35 overs carding 124-3.
In Division Three, two matches got the green light to play with new boys Swansea Civil Service leaping to third in the table thanks to a winning draw against Margam, as they look to secure back to back promotions.
At a damp and dreary Sketty Lane, Civil Service made 172-8 with Rob Holohan bagging his first half century of the season, while Steve Porter impressed weighing in with 41. Margam’s Elwyn Pugh captured 5-40, the bowler incidentally the Swansea team’s ex-groundsman.
The Port Talbot side in response hung on in there posting 135-9 and as a result, moved 22 points clear of the drop zone.
In the day's only other fixture, Pontyberem bagged their third win with an eight wicket win at Drefach.
Drefach knocked a respectable 170 with Rob Seymour the best with the bat notching up 76, while Adam Goodman smashed an unbeaten 57. Both Gareth Isaacs and Craig Evans collected four wickets apiece for the visitors.
However, Pontyberem in reply made light work of their target, chasing it down for the loss of just two wickets 173-2, with Craig Howells impressing with an 80 not out, while Martin Lewis notched up a half century (51) and Evans chipped in a useful 29 not out.
Finally, the only winner in Division Four turned out to be the weather unfortunately, as all five matches bit the dust.

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