Six of the best gunning for last eight cup spot

THE line-up for the Gwalia Welsh Cup quarter-finals should be completed this weekend with six cricket clubs going all out for the three remaining spots.

So far, cup holders Swansea, Sully Centurions, Ynystawe, Ammanford and Mochdre are through to the last eight after victories in the fourth round last Sunday.

This Sunday, Pontypridd travel to Usk, Blackwood host Newport and Connah’s Quay go to Llandudno – the last two ties were rained off at the weekend.

Swansea came through what was expected to be a tricky encounter against Barry Athletic with something to spare. Barry struggled setting the visitors a challenging target and despite Steve Provis striking 47 they were bowled out for 137.

The total was one Swansea overhauled quite comfortably as Gareth Hayden finished unbeaten on 45 and Ashley Pass added 30 to the final tally of 141-6 which was achieved with six overs left.

Sully beat deadly rivals Cardiff by 66 runs to reach the last eight as former Glamorgan seamer Adam Shantry top scored with 54 and Ryan Sylvester made 33 as the Centurions amassed 184-8. Tom Barry (2-14) and Dale Boorman (2-38) were the most successful of the Cardiff bowlers.

The visitors were helped by a knock of 29 from Mark O’Leary but with Tom Evison claiming 5-12 and Richard Ready chipping in with 3-37, Sully’s triumph was never really in doubt.

There was a titanic tussle in Torfaen where visitors Ammanford recovered from 98-7 and 159-9 to beat hosts Panteg by one wicket with a ball to spare.

Panteg registered 185-8 in their 45 overs with skipper Ian Bird making 74 and Akhtar Balouch scoring 59 to put on 122 for the second wicket. Ammanford captain Alun Evans, who later added 40 with the bat, took 5-34.

The outlook seemed bleak for Ammanford in their reply, however, last-wicket pair Matthew Donoghue and Ben Ledger showed their mettle to add the 29 needed for a dramatic victory.

Ynystawe sealed their passage through to the quarters with a 76-run win at Dafen, who were bowled out for 113. Visiting skipper Andrew Beasley had earlier made 75 in his side’s 189-7.

And in a run-fest in North Wales, Colwyn Bay opener Carwen Williams carried his bat for an unbeaten 120 off 137 balls but still ended up on the losing side against Mochdre.

His century took Colwyn Bay to 217-6 but Mochdre opener Will Evans stepped up to the plate in style, blasting 115 off just 70 deliveries as the visitors won by two wickets with one over left.