Champions and leaders set for big clash

REIGNING division one champions Dafen Welfare host table-toppers Swansea tomorrow in the South Wales Cricket Association’s game of the day.

The two clubs meet at Dafen Park having not lost yet this season although a cancelled match means the home side are two places and 13 points behind the visitors.

Swansea, relegated from the Premier League last season, suffered a few jitters at St Helen’s last weekend before chasing the 80 set by Maesteg Celtic.

All-rounder Jonathan Hubschmid has been in form with bat and ball in the early stages of the campaign, scoring 27 and taking 3-12 last time out.

As for Dafen, Nicky Davies, with 40, was their top scorer against Llangennech as the visitors to the Recreation Ground won by 107 runs. Steven Devonald (4-17) and skipper Matthew Evans (6-22) starred with the ball as the hosts were bowled out for 47.

It will no doubt be a much tougher test for the defending champions tomorrow with the encounter likely to be a good indicator as to where the balance of power in division one could lie this season.

Dafen have made four changes to the XI that beat Llangennech with Chris Keen, Andrew Rowlands, Philip George and James Mansel in for Simon Davies, Andrew Herbert, Lewis Brown and Tom Lavender.

Also in the first division tomorrow, second-placed Neath entertain Gowerton, Llangennech go to Clydach, Maesteg Celtic host Ynystawe and Pontardawe travel to Tata Steel looking for the first win of the season.

Teams

Dafen; Matthew Evans (c), Daniel Vaughan (wk), Dafydd Nicholas, Nicky Davies, Steven Devonald, Chris Hudson, Chris Keen, Andrew Rowlands, Philip George, Jamie Mansel, Gareth Hughes

Swansea; (Probable) Josh Hughes, Shashika Rodrigo, Jonathan Hubschmid, Ashley Pass, Gareth Hayden, Mark Payne (wk), Ed Smith, Ceri James (c), Josh Tobin, Bevan Daniels, Adam Wright