Dafen looking to show their mettle at Tata Steel

South Wales Cricket Association weekend preview

REIGNING champions and current leaders of division one Dafen Welfare take their unbeaten record to third-placed Tata Steel tomorrow.

Dafen have won five of their six league games so far this year while the other one was cancelled because of the weather, meaning they look good for back-to-back top-tier titles.

They are 15 points clear of Neath, who host mid-table Ynystawe tomorrow, while Swansea in fourth, six points behind Tata, shouldn’t have too many problems when they go to bottom club Pontardawe.

Four of Dafen’s five victories have come with them batting first and more often than not setting an imposing target their opponents struggle to reach – last Saturday they posted 240-7 against Ynystawe before bowling them out for 159.

The likes of Andrew Rowlands and Matthew Evans have shown some fine early season form with the ball while Nicky Davies and Steve Devonald have impressed with the bat as Dafen sit proudly at the top of the table.

Neath are going well too under the leadership of former Glamorgan wicketkeeper and coach Adrian Shaw whose magnificent innings of 111 earned his team victory at Swansea last time out. Opener Keiran Thomas has also been in the runs and his form will be key to Neath’s campaign.

As for Swansea, they seem to be suffering something of a hangover after their relegation from the Swalec Premier League last year and they now find themselves fully 40 points off the pace set by Dafen.

Clydach in sixth host Gowerton in seventh and the two teams above Pontardawe, Llangennech and Maesteg Celtic, both promoted from division two in 2011, meet in West Wales.

Speaking of the second division, Carmarthen Wanderers are making a good fist at an immediate return to the top flight following relegation.

A win at Llandysul last weekend cemented their position at the summit and they enjoy a 20-point cushion over Cowbridge. The Vale of Glamorgan club entertain Skewen tomorrow while the Wanderers face new boys Bronwydd at home.

Another team that dropped down a division last season, Aberdare, have also bounced back well and currently lie third. They will fancy their chances at Morriston tomorrow, the Swansea club are only kept off the foot of the table by Briton Ferry Steel who are trying to avoid successive relegations.

They travel to Gorseinon and in the remaining fixture Llanelli welcome Llandysul to Stradey Park.

It’s a lot closer at the top of division three where Hills Plymouth head Briton Ferry Town by five points with Swansea Civil Service trailing in third by the same margin.

The game of the day involves the Civil Service as they go to the seaside to take on fourth-placed Porthcawl, the leaders play Drefach, and Briton Ferry could seize first place if they beat Landore and Hills slip-up.

Lowly Pwll, who finished third last season, will have to find inspiration from somewhere if they want to break their duck at home to Pontyberem after a nightmare start. Margam, one position above Pwll, go to Maesteg also looking for a change in fortunes.

Leaders of division four, Cimla, head to Baglan tomorrow while second-placed Dyffryn play struggling Llandarcy. Elsewhere, Llantwit Major Cavaliers go to Kidwelly Town, Llandeilo lock horns with Ystradgynlais and Neath thirds host Felinfoel.