Swansea on brink of title and return to Swalec Premier

South Wales Cricket Association division one review

THE fight for the division one title in the South Wales Cricket Association will go to the last day – but it won’t involve Dafen following their fall from grace.

Last season’s champions have gone from looking like strong contenders to defend their crown to also-rans in the space of a month.

Defeat at Neath yesterday ended their hopes of successive titles while Swansea won again to lay one hand on the trophy and an immediate return to the South Wales Premier League.

They won by seven wickets at Llangennech and can make absolutely sure of first place by beating Clydach at St Helen’s next weekend. The home side was bowled out for 119, Josh Tobin claiming 4-29, before Swansea breezed to victory.

Tata Steel are the only side that can overhaul Swansea though it would take a big points swing for Swansea to be denied. The Steelmen brushed Gowerton aside by 116 runs with Kelvin Bartle smashing 107 to at least give them some sort of chance when they visit Maesteg Celtic on Saturday.

Long-time leaders Dafen were humbled by nine wickets at Neath as home bowler Nathan Aubrey took 4-11 to help dismiss the away side for 103. Callum Walters and Matthew Davies also chipped in with two wickets each.

Keiron Thomas (43 not out) and Gareth Davies (42 not out) saw Neath home with a lot to spare. The other two fixtures at Clydach and Pontardawe were rained off.