South West Wales Cricket: Weekend Review

After a mixed start to the season weather wise the longest day of the year saw cricketers drenched in glorious sunshine up and down the country.

In the Thomas Carroll South Wales Cricket Association, Ammanford continue to rule the roost. With the second and third placed teams drawing, the pacemakers capitalised to move 28 points clear at the top after they clinically dispatched Gowerton by nine wickets.

Gowerton won the toss and elected to bat but that was as good as it got for the Swansea outfit, as they were skittled for 148 on a good wicket. Matthew Roberts was the destroyer in chief as he tore apart the Gowerton order, bagging six wickets.

Ammanford quickly chased down the runs required in the 19th over as they carded 149-1. Player/Coach Alun Evans smashed an unbeaten 77 while Rhys Culley also knocked an undefeated half century 52.

Meanwhile, Maesteg Celtic’s good start to the season continued as they inflicted Skewen’s fourth loss with a 61 run victory.

Elsewhere, Clydach eased to a seven wicket triumph at Aberdare while Dafen thumped Ynystawe by nine wickets.

At the top of Division Two, Briton Ferry Steel are the new leaders after they recorded a thumping 163 run triumph over Llanelli, while rivals Cowbridge could only draw at Bronwydd.

It remains tight at the top of Division Three with only a single point separating leaders Cimla and second place Drefach after they both notched up wins over Baglan and Merthyr Tydfil respectively.

Finally, in Division Four pacemakers Felinfoel cruised to an eight wicket win over hosts Dyffryn.

Dyffryn were skittled for just 77 with Jonathan Evans taking four wickets and Anthony Mathias bagging 3-30 for Foel. The visitors easily chased down the runs required with Rhys Harris top scoring on 42.

Moving west, in the Nicholas Insurance Pembrokeshire County League defending champions Neyland tightened their grip at the summit of Division One as they saw off title rivals Haverfordwest with a nail biting one wicket victory.

Haverfordwest were put in and posted 169-9 off their allotted 45 overs, Simon Holiday top scored on 67 in a 43 over stint while AJ Ravu (33) and Danny Potter (17) both contributed useful knocks. Leg Spinner Andrew Miller was the most lethal in attack for the hosts taking 4-32 while Nathan Banner picked up 3-42.

In response Neyland looked like they were heading towards their second defeat of the season when they found themselves 111-9 in the 32nd over but a superb last wicket stand between Banner (42n/o) and Sean Hannon (15n/o) saw the leaders home to their sixth win of the season.

The result sees Neyland move 33 points clear at the summit with Cresselly their nearest challengers after they comfortably saw off Saundersfoot by six wickets.

At the top of Division Two leaders Johnston continue to dominate as they claimed their sixth win of the season thumping Hook by 101 runs.

Aberystwyth maintained their unbeaten start to the West Wales Conference as the pacemakers thrashed Talybont Rachels by 170 runs. 

The highfliers elected to bat and carded 256-8, Adam Carvell (63) and Robert Rudge (54n/o) were the top scorers.

The Rachels in response were skittled for just 86 with Graham Bird the most potent in attack, taking 3-20. 

Elsewhere, Aberaeron recorded a five wicket victory over Talybont Villagers and UWA Commoners saw off Tregaron by 100 runs.