Relegation beckons as Merthyr lose again

MERTHYR Tydfil remain in trouble in Division One of the South Wales Cricket Association after losing to Gorseinon by five wickets at the Welfare Ground.

Needing a win to avoid going back down to Division Two after just one year in the top flight, Merthyr were put in to bat and managed to score 148-8 in their 50 overs.

Simon Davies bagged 38 as Merthyr tried to build a strong lead but Gafyn Donald and Tom Clarke both claimed three-wicket hauls.

And Gorseinon managed to knock off the runs to claim victory on 150-5 with Kieran Howells (43) and Christopher Morgan (26) leading the way.

Merthyr are now 12 points from safety with just one game to go.

Meanwhile, Cowbridge were in irresistible form as they hit more than 300 for the second time this season to beat Briton Ferry Steel by 68 runs.

And it was the same two batsmen – Ben Wright and Thomas Merilaht – who contributed the most, only this time it was Wright who stole the show as he bagged an incredible unbeaten 217. Merilaht backed that up with 75 as they finished on 3051 after 50 overs.

Briton Ferry replied with 237, which is normally enough to claim victory, with captain Jason Hughes smacking 129 but they couldn’t match Cowbridge’s display as they were eventually bowled out with Samuel Russell claiming 5-55.

Meanwhile, Aberdare lost to title hopefuls Dafen Welfare by eight wickets at Dafen Welfare Park in a low-scoring encounter.

Aberdare struggled throughout with Michael Weathersby top scoring with 16 as they limped to 59 before being bowled out – David Dunfree taking five wickets.

And it was a simple chase for Dafen as Jeremy Dawes (21) and Matthew Evans (19) guided them to victory on 62-2.

In Division Two, Maesteg Celtic (81-1) beat Felinfoel (80) by nine wickets to stay top of the league.