Ammanford suffer a clean sweep

AMMANFORD suffered a painful 35-run defeat at the hands of local rivals Pontarddulais in a low-scoring South Wales Premier League 1 match at the Park.

Ammanford looked to have the match in the bag when they had Bont on the rack at 70-7 due to some fine bowling from Billy Root (3-19), Dan Roberts (2-22) and Owen Davies (2-25).

However, a rearguard response from Lewis Edwards (52) and Dafydd Davies (22), coming in at 8 and 9, put on 81 runs and gave Bont a respectable closing total of 165-9 after their 50 overs.

Ammanford’s attempt to surpass the modest total began badly. Glamorgan’s Lukas Carey got rid of both openers, and when his county colleague Billy Root went for an uncharacteristic duck, the writing seemed on the wall.

Xavier Clarke (39) and Josef Davies (24) provided a glimmer of hope, but with their departure the remaining four wickets fell for 12 runs, and Ammanford were all out for 130.

Carey and Matthew Fisher bagged three wickets each.

This most unexpected of victories enabled Bont to leapfrog Ammanford into the top half of Premier 1, Ammanford slipping to seventh.

This weekend Ammanford are away at The Gnoll to face Neath and will need to develop a far more clinical approach to accompany their talent if they are to win the matches they are currently losing.

Ammanford Seconds suffered a heavy away defeat at the hands of Pontarddulais, whose innings was defined by a 120-run partnership between Alex Thomas (108) and opener Cameron Davey (60). This gave them the platform to reach a formidable total of 242-6.

For Ammanford, skipper Jamie Evans bowled very well for his 5-46.

Despite a decent opening stand of 41 between Evans (16) and Matthew Davies (21), Ammanford’s reply never really got off the ground.

They were all out for 94 in the 28th over thanks to good bowling from Richard Davies (4-15), William Jones (3-31) and Oliver Rogers (2-24).

And a comprehensive 114-run defeat for Ammanford Thirds at the Rec by visitors Pontarddulais Thirds gave Bont a clean sweep against Ammanford on Saturday.

Bont scored a healthy 186 in their 40 overs, Cai Gealy (27), Theo Bowden (27) and Vasanth Sampath (22) the main contributors. Dafydd Wyn Jones got three wickets for Ammanford.

Ammanford’s response was a dismal 72, only Tom Davies (12) and Richie Thomas (14) reaching double figures. Josh Jewell bagged five wickets for Bont.