LEADERS SHOW THEIR METTLE
LLANWRDA are still flying high at the top of division three of the South Wales Association after another clinical performance made it six wins out of six for the Tywi Valley men.
Skipper Adrian Davies (43) gave them the perfect start against Tata Steel Seconds before No. 3 Joseff Morgan’s superb 123 maintained the momentum as wickets fell all around him.
They were all out for 240 in 49.1 overs, Sarma Volety the best of the bowlers with 3-47.
Volety then top-scored with 30 as six Tata batsmen had ducks and they slumped to 56 all out in 25 overs. Sion Nicholas took 3-20 and Garan Williams 3-13.
Pontardawe are second 24 points behind Llanwrda after an eightwicket success at Dafen Seconds.
Dafen opener Andrew Herbert hit 82 but the hosts were all out for 180, Jason Rourke (4-40) and Gareth Morgan (2-26) the most successful bowlers. Neil Jones’s 10 overs went for only nine runs.
Huw Jenkins (43no) and Chris Keen (66no off 42 balls) then wrapped up a quick win as they got to 184-2 in just 24.5 overs.
Felinfoel are third after a ninewicket win at home to Bronwydd Seconds.
Bronwydd wicketkeeper Leon George top-scored with 24 as the visitors were dismissed for 120 in 35 overs. Craig Richards took 3-32, Gareth Smith 3-18 and Chris Bowen 2-22.
Opener Robert Bowen then hit 10 fours and a six in an unbeaten 68 as Felinfoel eased to 121-1 in the 20th over.
Dyffryn are joint fourth with Dafen Seconds after they lost at home to Gowerton Seconds by 33 runs.
After being put in, the visitors’ top six all reached double figures, with David Roberts (50) and Marvel Biju (31) the main contributors in their total of 226 all out. Ieuan Jones (3-49) led the hosts’ attack.
In reply, the Bryncoch side initially struggled to 79-7 with Adam Bond (3-29), Ceri Rowlands (3-42) and 14-year-old Tom Sanu (2-35) in the wickets.
Owen Thomas (76) allowed the host to reach a respectable 193 before they were all out.
Briton Ferry Steel Seconds made the division’s highest score with 268-9 away to Porthcawl, helped by an astonishing 69 extras, 52 of which were wides.
Michael Arnold (52) and Kris Pemberton (51no) got most of the rest of the runs.
Porthcawl skipper and opener Nicholas Morgan hit 56 but the Seasiders were all out for 200 in 46.2 overs. Thomas Williams took 3-32, Pemberton 3-27 and Scott Evans 3-31.
Morriston Seconds still have the only 100 per cent record in division five after they won comfortably at Baglan Seconds.
Aishan Akhtar top-scored with 57 as Morriston compiled 167-6 in their 40 overs, Lee Williams taking 2-10 and Alex Saunders 2-45.
Openers Williams (40) and Michael Powney (27) gave Baglan’s reply a solid start but they collapsed to 105 all out in 34.5 overs. Former Wales rugby star Arwel Thomas took 6-11 in seven overs and his son Harri 2-10. Akhtar took 2-10.
In division seven, Gowerton’s 3rd XI fell to a five-wicket defeat at home to Llandeilo 2nds.
The hosted were dismissed for 98 before David Williams guided the visitors home with 55 not out.
There was better news in division eight for Gowerton Fourths, who beat Llangennech Thirds by 10 wickets.
Dominic Kennedy (3-30), Gwennan Howells (2-25) and Ivor Parry (2-29) helped restrict the hosts to 132 all out.
The visitors then strolled to victory as openers Jamie Evans (82no) and Rob Jenkins (47no) put on an undefeated 133.