Title-chasers slip-up as season heads for thrilling climax

IT’S certainly – as Alex Ferguson calls it – squeaky bum time at the top of the South Wales Cricket Association first division.

Yesterday saw leaders Dafen and second-placed Swansea both have hiccups in their fight for the title with the latter in particular slipping up badly.

With three games left this season it really is brewing up nicely for an exciting finish in a few weeks’ time.

Dafen hold a 12-point advantage over their St Helen’s rivals with a lot at stake for each side – Dafen are looking to retain the trophy while Swansea are aiming for an immediate return to the Swalec Premier League after relegation last term.

Long-time leaders Dafen were second best away to Ynystawe but did pick up points in a losing draw, however, Swansea were obliterated at Neath, losing by nine wickets.

Dafen laboured to 125-4 by the close of play as they replied to Ynystawe’s 195-8 in 50 overs. Fifteen-year-old Tom Blake, making his first team debut for the hosts, hit 35 and Rowan Evans top scored with 47.

Dafydd Nicholas took 6-50 and although Ricky Davies and Jamie Mansel put on a useful fifth-wicket partnership for the visitors they found runs hard to come by.

A five-wicket haul for Neath’s Tom Jones (5-28) saw second-placed Swansea bowled out for 132 with only Johnny Hubschmid (62) getting to grips with the pitch. Neath breezed to victory, losing just one wicket, Keiran Thomas for 59, as Callum Walters finished 45 not out to seal an emphatic win.

A knock of 46 from Kelvin Bartle helped Tata Steel to 184 at Clydach for whom Dean Kriescher took 5-47. In reply, the home side was dismissed for 117 to give Steel victory by 67 runs.

At the bottom, basement boys Pontardawe, who are all but relegated, had their spirits lifted with a winning draw at home to Maesteg Celtic.

The hosts posted 180-8 with Nik Joshi contributing 57 before Celtic fell just short on 171-9 in response with Nick Poole blasting 63. Joshi and Sam Sherlock took four wickets each for Pontardawe. The Llangennech-Gowerton game was cancelled.