Big two all set to do battle in match of the day

Thomas Carroll South Wales Cricket Association weekend preview

THE biggest match of the season so far takes place tomorrow with the first division’s top two sides clashing in Carmarthenshire.

Dafen Welfare lead Swansea by 27 points but the visitors will be aware that a good win for them can cut that advantage in their bid to wrest the league title away from their hosts.

Luck was on Dafen’s side last weekend as their win over Llangennech was the only match to go the distance in division one and not be disrupted by the bad weather.

It was more than two months ago when Dafen won the reverse fixture at St Helen’s by 25 runs to lay down a marker against the side that were playing in the Swalec Premier League last year.

Steve Devonald was in the runs and the wickets on that occasion as Dafen made a modest 141-8 in 42 overs before bowling out Swansea for 116.

That maintained Dafen’s unbeaten start to the season, something they still boast with a third of the campaign left.

Ynystawe, third in the table five points behind Swansea, host Maesteg Celtic tomorrow knowing victory could see them move up to second.

Neath entertain Gowerton with both sides pretty much going through the motions as the season begins to wind down. Only a late charge would see Neath climb above Ynystawe and Swansea.

It’s looking bleak for Pontardawe and Llangennech at the bottom and it will take some turnaround in form for either to escape the drop to division two.

Both have home matches, Pontardawe taking on Tata Steel and Llangennech hosting Clydach, two more clubs with just pride to play for now.

Cowbridge are still in touch with second division leaders Carmarthen but they’ll probably have to wait another week before any chance of closing the gap.

That’s because the top two play the bottom two at home, Carmarthen facing Morriston and Cowbridge going up against Briton Ferry Steel. The latter appear to be going down already while there is still hope for Morriston.

They lie 21 points adrift of Llanelli, who host Gorseinon, one of five sides in a huge scrap for third place. Only 10 points separate Llandysul in third and Aberdare in seventh.

Aberdare go to Bronwydd and Llandysul visit Skewen in the other two encounters in the second division.

A side that can ease clear of the relegation zone in division three tomorrow is Margam. They make the trip to Landore, the team immediately below them in the table, who won’t want the gap to Margam to increase any further.

Leaders Briton Ferry Town play Swansea Civil Service while the battle for second place is an intriguing one with Hills Plymouth and Porthcawl locked on the same number of points.

The seasiders have a short journey to Maesteg, Hills Plymouth host Pontyberem, and beleaguered Pwll go to Drefach.

In division four, Kidwelly Town have their best chance of picking up a first victory of the season in 13 attempts as they welcome Llandarcy, one place above them, to Morfa Maen.

Cimla and Dyffryn should stay first and second with wins at Ystradgynlais and Neath 3rds. Elsewhere, Baglan in third play Landeilo and Llantwit Major Cavaliers take on Felinfoel.