SOUTH WALES PREMIER
DIVISION one leaders Newport beat Ammanford by 66 runs to seal an eighth consecutive victory as they continue their charge towards the title in the South Wales Premier League.
The Gwent side posted 267-5 after winning the toss and opting to bat.
A century from Callum Taylor (101) set Newport on their way to victory, and he was backed up by 72 from Imran Hassan.
In reply, Ammanford pushed them all the way and managed to break the 200-run mark but were out soon afterwards, thanks to Charlie Stewart (4-22), on 201.
Mathew Fisher struck 51 while Daniel Roberts (38) and captain Alun Evans (37) also added sizeable contributions.
The win means Newport are 28 points ahead of second-placed Neath, who beat Port Talbot Town by three wickets at The Gnoll.
Nathan Lee hit 32 and Richard Edwards added 30 as Port Talbot were dismissed on 149 after they lost the toss and were put in.
Adam Sylvester (4-30) and Efan Davies (3-25) were the pick of the bowlers. Sean Griffiths then led Neath to a sixth victory in a row with 47.
Cardiff, who returned to winning ways with a huge 139-run win at Bridgend Town, are 72 points off the summit with just five games to go.
Reigning champions Cardiff posted an impressive 284-7 after winning the toss and opting to bat.
Umar Malik led the way with 60 and half-centuries also came from skipper Greg Holmes (54) and Tom Barry (52) to give them an almost unassailable total.
Bridgend struggled in their reply, with Sam Wood (27) the only batsman to hit over 20.
They were soon bowled out on 145 thanks to a remarkable spell of bowling from Tegid Phillips, who took 7-38.
Thomas Bevan bagged 2-31, while Osama Subhan claimed the other wicket.
Elsewhere, Ynysygerwn’s woes continued as they suffered a 44-run defeat to Pontarddulais at the Ffosyrefail ground.
Opening Bont batsman Paul Rees struck 64 after the hosts won the toss and chose to bat.
Shaun Harris (39), captain Carl Roberts (37) and Rhys Thomas (31) all played their part too as Bont completed their allocation of 50 overs on 220-9. Alex McCormack bagged 5-31.
Bottom club Ynysygerwn threw everything they could at Pontarddulais in the second innings, with Yuvraj Odedra (48) and Joshua Griffiths (42) leading the way.
But they ran out of overs on 176-9, with William Jones taking 4-40.
Meanwhile, Mumbles bagged a five-wicket victory over St Fagans. Gareth Rees (68) helped St Fagans reach 216-7 but half-centuries from Scott de Weymarn (55) and Dan Lewis-Williams (55) ensured Mumbles took the victory on 220-5.
Ynystawe’s title challenge looks to be slowly fading in division two after a third consecutive defeat, this time a 60-run reverse to Carmarthen Wanderers at Maes yr Afon.
Gareth Thomas (71) and Stephen Inward (79) forged a strong partnership, making 116 together before Thomas was caught out by Tom Blake at 125-3. But the duo helped Wanderers reach 239-7 after 50 overs.
Andrew Beasley led the Ynystawe replay with 46 but Thomas showed his talent with the ball as well as he took 3-47 to skittle the former leaders out on 179 and hand Wanderers the victory.
Clydach took advantage to beat third-placed Penarth by 68 runs and extend their lead at the top to 26 points.
A knock of 95 from Sam Davies set Clydach on their way to victory as they made 281-7.
Penarth hit back through Ryan Sylvester (45) and Richard Skone (42) but five wickets from Jack Todd helped bowl them out for 213.
BASEMENT boys Tondu breathed new life into their survival bid in Thomas Carroll South East Wales Cricket League Division One with a 104-run victory at Sudbrook.
Skipper Scott Thornton led by example, cracking 11 fours and three sixes in his 104 as off as many balls as visitors Tondu put 215 on the scoreboard batting first.
Sudbrook’s batting then failed to fire as they were sent back for 111 in reply with David Matthews (3-13) and Elliott Rees (3-17) both among the wickets.
The win for Tondu ended a run of four defeats in succession as they also bid to avoid back-to-back relegations having come down from the South Wales Premier League last season. They are now 29 points from safety. At the other of the table leaders Miskin Manor were defeated at Croesyceiliog by one wicket while nearest challengers Newbridge – who also have a game in hand – beat Brecon by 27 runs to cut the gap to 12 points.