BRILLIANT BRAD BAGS THIRD TON
AMMANFORD made their highest total for several seasons, but still went down by 131 runs to Swansea in the South Wales Premier Cricket League.
The Swansea batting line-up has now scored more than 1,200 runs in their first three matches – and they were once again in blistering form at St Helen’s.
Ammanford’s acting captain Dan Roberts must have imagined that lightning couldn’t strike again when he invited Swansea to bat on a perfect track. It did.
Opening pair Brad Wadlan and Chris Gibson (82) put on 252 for the first wicket before Wadlan fell for 147. His runs came off just 103 deliveries.
Wadlan is just 14 short of 500 runs for the season after notching up his third century of the campaign.
Swansea’s impressive batting lineup maintained the assault on Ammanford’s bowlers, with Jake Roberts going close to the fastest century in Premier League history before he was dismissed agonisingly short on 96 from just 41 balls.
The hosts closed on a massive 4254.
Ammanford’s priority was to secure maximum batting points by reaching 225, and this they did without any difficulty.
An excellent 88-run opening partnership from Rhodri-huw Davies (51) and Kurtis Marsh (30) gave them a solid platform.
And Xavier Clarke (112no) was also in superb form as he reached a classy maiden unbeaten ton for Ammanford.
Dan Roberts (30) and Saihaj Jaspal (46no) continued the good work, and the visitors closed on 294-3 – a total which on most weekends would guarantee a win.
On Saturday they welcome Newport to the Park.
Sean Griffiths blasted a rapid 91 as Neath beat Pontarddulais by seven wickets.
Griffiths hit three sixes and 12 boundaries in his 62-ball innings as the visitors coasted home in just 40.1 overs.
Lukas Carey was the star of Bont’s innings as his 84 not out helped the hosts to 199-6.
Carmarthen Wanderers were denied their second win of the season in Premier Division Two as they lost a thriller at Mumbles.
In a topsy-turvy game which could have gone either way, the home side came out on top by two wickets with just three balls to spare.
Batting first, the Wanderers made 207-5 with Tom Davies top-scoring with a fine 72 that featured five sixes and four boundaries.
Owain Binding added 39 and Lewis Byng an unbeaten 26.
Mumbles looked in trouble early in when they were reduced to 31-2, but an excellent 77 from Gregory Thomas proved crucial as they inched home. Elliott Oates added 47.
Owain Binding took 4-33 for the Wanderers, who host Llanelli in a derby clash on Saturday.
Llanelli will arrive at Trinity Fields still searching for their first win of the season after they lost by eight wickets to Gorseinon.
Opener Iwan Rees made an unbeaten 52 and No. 8 Rhydian Morgan 32 for Llanelli, but they were the only two to reach double figures as the Stradey Park side were dismissed for 117.
Christopher Mee returned the excellent figures of 7-23.
Steve Devonald took two quick wickets to give Llanelli some hope of an unlikely win, but Matthew Roberts (63no) and Josh Rencken (38no) steered Gorseinon home with a stand of 106.