Winning Wanderers toast division two crown

South Wales Cricket Association division two, three and four review

IT was always on the cards but Carmarthen Wanderers finally cemented their position as the best team in division two by clinching the title against Skewen yesterday.

And it couldn’t have been an easier day at the office for the West Walians with their opponents capitulating to 34 all out as Wanderers’ captain Leighton Walters took 6-16.

Daniel James and Owain Davies were together at the crease when the winning runs were hit, leaving Wanderers victors by nine wickets with one game of the season left.

Cowbridge will join the champions in division one next year after their game against Aberdare was cancelled and Llandysul couldn’t manage an outright win at Gorseinon.

There were also draws in the games between Llanelli and Bronwydd and the two relegated clubs, Morriston and Briton Ferry Steel.

The other Briton Ferry outfit, Briton Ferry Town, are moving in the opposite direction having beaten Pontyberem by six wickets to finish top of the table.

Yakoob Ali and Shakell Amin took six of the Pontyberem wickets between them as the visitors made 152-9 in their 50 overs. Opener Craig Howells hit nine boundaries in his 48 but after him there wasn’t much resistance from the rest of the batsmen.

Ali then showed what he could do with the bat, compiling 56 off 54 balls and Town got the runs needed with nearly 15 overs remaining.

Second place will go to Swansea Civil Service after relegated Pwll conceded their match and third-placed Porthcawl were beaten at home by Margam.

The seasiders saw their opponents make 160-8 with skipper Elwyn Pugh making an unbeaten 45 and Darren Jeffries 33. Nick Lyddon kept the scoring in check with 5-59.

But the Porthcawl reply never got going and with Rhodri Reynolds (5-35) and Michael Bond (3-34) in fine fettle, Margam were comfortable winners by 68 runs. The fixtures at Maesteg and Drefach were called off.

There’ll be some fingernails bitten in division four next weekend as two points separate leaders Cimla and Dyffryn in second going into the season finale.

Dyffryn could have been in the box seat had they not lost to Felinfoel by nine runs. Felinfoel made 158 and seemed set for a quickfire win when Dyffryn were reduced to 116-8. But Clive Harding’s 6-22 ensured Felinfoel did get the victory after the tail had wagged.

The weather hit Cimla’s game at Kidwelly while Baglan beat Llandarcy by seven wickets and Neath thirds overcame Ystradgynlais. The remaining matches were also rained off.