SKIPPER SETS A FINE EXAMPLE
DAFEN knocked Bronwydd off top spot in division one of the Peter Lynn & Partners Solicitors South Wales Cricket Association with a surprisingly easy win against the Carmarthen villagers.
Dafen are now 10 points clear of second-placed Llangennech after skittling Bronwydd out for 77 in 35 overs. Meirion Davies (33no) and opener Hadleigh Luff (24) were the only batsmen in double figures as Andrew Dyer, Jonathan Randell and Matthew Evans took two wickets each. There were three run outs.
Dafen, who now have the only 100 per cent win record in the top flight, then eased to 78-1 in 22.5 overs, skipper Evans (20no) and Abdullah Rahimi (28no) guiding them home.
Llangennech saw off visitors Maesteg by 20 runs. Opener Nathan Richards (45) top-scored as Llan were all out for 178 in 45.1 overs, David Morgan taking 4-29.
But that total proved enough as Maesteg fell to 158 all out. Simon Clement took 3-24, James Taube and Bav Patel both took 2-27 and Matthew Jones 2-35.
Gowerton lost by 77 runs at home to Llandysul. The result saw the Ceredigion side move above the hosts into seventh while Gowerton slipped into the bottom two.
Llandysul were soon struggling at 36-4, but thanks to Iestyn Evans (46) and Bleddyn Morgan (40) they recovered to 196-9. The early inroads to their batting were made by Callum Eakins (4-36) and Jack Hobbs (2-43).
In reply, Gowerton stumbled to 605, with only Matthew Mason (27) batting with any resilience. Hobbs (20) and Ben Whitehouse (18) gave brief hope of a recovery, but in the end Jack Deal (4-12) and Iestyn Davies (417) proved too tough to handle and the hosts were all out for 119.
On Sunday Gowerton bounced back to winning ways when they beat Dunvant RFC by three wickets at Broadacre in the Welsh Cup.
Batting first, John Arnold (24) topscored for Dunvant as they were dismissed for 126, Rhys Williams taking 3-18, Whitehouse 2-21 and Will Collinson 2-21. Although they lost wickets regularly, Gowerton came out on top and play Premier League side Swansea at home in the next round.
In division two, unbeaten Merthyr Tydfil and Briton Ferry Steel lead the table on 77 points each as they maintained their 100 per cent records.
Merthyr beat visitors Pontyberem by nine wickets after the Gwendraeth Valley men had posted 216-9 thanks to opener Rhodri Evans (60) and Ollie Taylor-jones (44) and 39 extras. Andrew Murphy and Paras Jain both took 3-43.
But that total proved a doddle for Merthyr as opener Dylan Davies (74no) and No. 3 Matthew Davies (87no) guided them to 220-1 in 41 overs.
Briton Ferry Steel beat Morriston. Drefach are third after beating winless Margam in what was also a low-scoring affair.
Harry Mcbryde (6-18) decimated the Margam batting as they were shot out for 87 in 25.5 overs despite opener Liam Lewis’s 40. Drefach then themselves slumped to 7-3, but Dafydd Humphreys (26no) and Aled Davis (36no) ensured there were no further scares as the hosts got to 88-4 in 29 overs.
Llanwrda lead the way in division three after they saw off Briton Ferry Steel Seconds by four wickets in Llandovery.
Steel chose to bat first but were bowled out for 127 before the Tywi Valley side eased to 128-6.
Dafen Seconds are third after cruising to a 10-wicket win at home to Bronwydd Seconds.
Bronwydd were all out for 111 in 33 overs as Ioan Roberts (4-13) and Jonathon Wastell (3-33) had the upper hand.
Dafen then eased to 113-0 in 15 overs thanks to Jac Morgan (32no) and Wastell (43no).
Dyffryn lost their 100 per cent record when crashing at home to Felinfoel by 10 wickets.
Only opener Owen Thomas (11) reached double figures – plus 27 extras – as the Bryncoch side were shot out for 61. Chris Bowen took 6-13 and Craig Richards 2-21.
Robert Bowen (48no) then saw the Llanelli side to 62-0 in 11.4 overs for an early finish.
Porthcawl bagged a five-wicket win at home to Gowerton Thirds.
Porthcawl put the visitors in to bat and David Roberts (44), captain Adam Bond (30) and James Gardiner (21) helped them to 131-4. However, they collapsed to 154 all out, with Finlay Cannon and James Tuck taking 3-26 each.
The hosts eased to their target with almost 20 overs in hand. A 55-run partnership between Steve Doherty (38) and Josh Lyddon (37) put them in control despite the efforts of Trystan Ovens (2-32) and Luke Main (247).
Ammanford Thirds suffered a heavy 135-run defeat at the hands of visiting Dyffryn in division six.
Dyffryn scored a formidable 245 from their 40 overs due to fine knocks
from Phil Paisey (95) and Rhodri Morgan (47).
Toby Davies took three wickets for Ammanford, while Jac Davies and Dafydd Evans picked up a couple each.
Ammanford’s reply never really got off the ground, and they collapsed to 110 all out in 27 overs thanks to impressive bowling from Lloyd Jones with 7-22.
Opener David Lumb top-scored with 20.
In division seven, Gowerton Thirds won at Briton Ferry Town Seconds. With Will Bevan (26) and Biju (25) to the fore, they compiled 171 despite Fazil Siddiquir’s 3-19.
In reply, Ana Balakarishnan’s 52 kept Town in the hunt but they fell 36 runs short, with Rhys Williams (326), Steve Cable (2-24) and Joe Barrett (2-24) all bowling well.
In division eight, Morriston Thirds came out on top against Gowerton Fourths by 11 runs. Peter Lynn’s 81 helped the visitors to 176-7. Lewis Roberts took 3-33.
Captain Dominic Kennedy (70) led Gowerton’s chase but they closed on 165-8, Dileep Joseph taking 3-37.