THOMAS, CARROLL SOUTH WALES ASSOCIATION DIVISION THREE

PORTHCAWL .......... 195-9 BRITON FERRY TOWN ......................... 141

FOLLOWING three successive defeats, Porthcawl bounced back in impressive style to inflict a first defeat of the season on league leaders Briton Ferry Town who fell to a shock 54-run loss.

The victory takes the Seasiders up to joint third spot and within striking distance of second place Baglan whose game at Aberdare was cancelled due to a saturated pitch.

There were no such issues at Locks Lane as the wicket was fully protected against Friday’s torrential downpours. The hosts lost the toss and were asked to bat first and memories of the three previous defeats, all after taking first strike, came flooding back as Jack Tuck’s side were soon reduced to 57-4. Mark Dixon flourished for a short time before he was caught and bowled for 21 but the arrival of Rob Jones and Tuck signalled a revival.

The pair added 46 before impressive Jones unexpectedly fell for 34, including a maximum and five fours, but Tuck built on the improvement before he departed for a fluent 35, which incorporated six boundaries. David Lewis added a rapid 14 but, at 148-8, the Seasiders were on the brink.

The arrival at the crease of Welsh over 50 international Steve Richmond and junior coach Josh Aubrey signalled a much needed boost and both batted responsibly before Richmond, on 22, was dismissed with the score on 177-7. He found the ropes three times. Last man Mark Bevan joined ever improving Aubrey who then took command stroking three fours in a career best undefeated 20 as the pair advanced the score to a healthy 195-9 at the close of the innings.

Veteran seamer Shakeel Amin was the Ferrymen’s most successful bowler with 3-25 from 10 impressive overs and there were two wickets apiece for Aled Morgan (2-25) and Yacoob Ali (2-34). Mumtaz Hussain and skipper Mike Arnold chipped in with a wicket apiece.

The visitors made a steady start although David Lewis trapped the dangerous Ali lbw for 13, but, from 55-1, Briton Ferry slumped to 84-5, then 128-8, thanks to some superb bowling and fielding by the home side. It proved to be the finest fielding display of the season with Dixon snapping up three superb catches and a run out while there were was another magnificent catch from Nick Morgan and a Tuck run out. Prolific Neil Baggridge and Arnold both succumbed on 20, Jonathan Joseph made 17 and Adrian Mainwaring added 15. When the final wicket fell, with nearly 10 overs remaining, Ferry were well beaten.

Seamer Mark Bevan bowled with his usual nagging accuracy to end with 2-24 from 10 overs while fellow pacemen Dave Lewis and Rob Jones took a wicket apiece. The spin attack proved vital as the visitors attempted to up the tempo. Richmond’s wily leg breaks pegged back the proposed momentum as he recorded 2-34 from his 10 over allocation while Morgan and Aubrey were equally effective as they chipped in with 1-4 and 1-8 respectively.

The second team contest at Drefach fell victim to the weather.