Swansea beat the rain to see off Clydach

Swansea looked to be heading for a frustrating afternoon in Division One of the South Wales Cricket Association when rain halted play, with the St Helens outfit needing just 21 more runs to clinch victory at Clydach, but a break in the weather let the ex Premier League outfit back on to secure a six wicket win.

The hosts were reduced to 97 thanks to some clinical bowling from Josh Tobin, 4-9, and Ed Smith, 3-31. Swansea in reply looked to be easing to victory on 76-4 when the rain came, but a break in the precipitation saw the visitors sprint to the finish line posting 98-4, with Ashley Pass the best with the bat knocking 55.

Meanwhile, a five wicket haul from Ben Northey ensured Ynystawe beat the rain and Llangennech with a nine wicket decimation.

Llangennech were skittled for just 56 with Northey in particular in destructive form taking 5-15, including a hat-trick, while Paul Discombe was also on fire with the ball, picking up 4-22.

Highfliers Ynystawe got their target for the loss of just one wicket carding 58-1, with opener Gareth Bishop knocking an unbeaten 29. The victory sees them move up to third in the table.

Pacemakers Dafen meanwhile were not so lucky as their clash at Gowerton was abandoned. The defending champions knocked 194-9 in their allotted overs, Nicky Davies was the most prolific with the bat hitting 69. Gowerton in reply were 33-1 in the 13^th over when the match fell foul of the conditions.

There was yet more frustration for Maesteg Celtic losing out to the rain for the fourth time this season when their encounter at Tata Steel was halted by the weather leaving both teams with a share of the spoils.

The Steelmen batted first posting 201-7 thanks to an excellent display from opener Scott Jones (47) and Kelvin Bartle (75), while Rhys Owen chipped in with 42. Celtic in reply were 56-2 when the rain came in the 19^th over.

In the day's other fixture, Neath were also hampered by the rain with the highfliers looking on course to bag a win at strugglers Pontardawe, but once again the weather had other ideas with a no differential draw the outcome.

Neath batted first and notched up 184-7, Keiran Thomas (71) was their top scorer while Tom Jones (62) and Gareth Davies (23) also produced fine efforts. Ponty’s Owain Binding was by far the best in attack capturing 5-48.

Pontardawe’s innings were disrupted by rain on a couple of occasions and both sides decided to give up the ghost in the 22^nd over with the hosts on 31-3.