Mansel finds formula to give Dafen pole

REIGNING champions Dafen Welfare are back at the top of the South Wales Cricket Association division one table following a 25-run victory against former leaders Swansea.

Dafen took over in first place from the St Helen’s outfit after bowling Swansea out for 116 as they replied to a total of 141-8.

The Welfare were in trouble at 78-5 but Jamie Mansel came to the rescue with an unbeaten 29 to go with Steve Devonald’s earlier knock of 36.

All-rounder Johnny Hubschmid was again at the heart of everything good Swansea were doing and his three wickets boosted his tally for the season.

But despite Hubschmid making 25 in Swansea’s reply, the visitors suffered something of a collapse, going from 73-2 to 116 all out.

Ynystawe took advantage of Swansea’s setback to take second place thanks to a three-wicket triumph at Maesteg Celtic.

Celtic batted first and were undone by an Alex Fletcher hat-trick in an inspired spell of bowling which saw the paceman take 5-24.

Nick Poole (24), Gareth Hopkins (16) and Ian Herbert (16) took Celtic to 106 all out but that was never really going to be a challenging total.

Ynystawe made it but Phil Poole (3-15) and Roger Barnes (4-30) gave them some nervy moments before finishing on 10707, Sean Jones scoring 26.

Also in the wickets yesterday was Gowerton’s Ian Capon, who took 6-68 in his side’s winning draw against Neath.

Former Glamorgan wicketkeeper Adrian Shaw blasted 72 and Kieran Thomas 80 but Neath had to make do with 203-8 chasing the hosts’ 225-4 in 50 overs.

Paul Rees (66) and Steve Inward (63) provided the backbone of the Gowerton innings as the Neath bowlers were made to toil.

Clydach beat Llangennech with 10 overs to spare, chasing down 155 for the loss of five wickets with James Garland unbeaten on 47. Jason Davies made 46 and Huw Williams took 4-43 for Llangennech.

Batting first, Llangennech turned to Atif Hameed (66) for the bulk of their runs while Dean Kriescher, Matthew Vaughan and Joe Farthing all chipped in with three wickets apiece.

A Scott Jones half-century helped Tata Steel to 183-7 in 50 overs at home to Pontardawe with Matthew Saker (27) and Nathan Ferrell (25) also providing useful knocks.

Replying, Pontardawe were all out for 75 as Michael and Matthew Jones accounted for six batsmen between them with only Rhodri Davies (24) offering any resistance.