Late-order hitting gets Wanderers out of a hole

CARMARTHEN Wanderers made several changes to their team for the long trip to Chepstow for their latest Premier League 2 game.

Stand-in Skipper Tom Davies lost the toss and the Wanderers were inserted to bat on the weather-affected wicket.

After a steady start when they reach 15 without loss, the visitors then collapsed to 30-7 due to some tight bowling and difficult batting conditions.

Steff Jones, promoted from the second team for his bowling, then produced a batting performance that turned the game on its head.

He patiently occupied the crease for 53 balls, scoring a vitally important 24, while at the other end the dangerous Liam Rogers plundered 32 runs off 19 balls.

The pair put on a half-century stand for the eighth wicket before the experienced Ian Hughes clubbed a further 18 off 20 balls, leaving the Wanderers 118 all out in the reduced 39over game.

Chepstow seemed comfortable at the wicket after tea, reaching 30 without too much alarm. Captain Davies and fellow seamer Chris Turrell then started to move the ball both ways, resulting in four quick wickets that reduced the hosts to 48-4.

But shortly after, the umpires called a halt as the rain arrived, with the visitors returning home with an important 10 points.

Skipper Davies said: “I was over the moon with the performance of our team today, especially the younger players.

“We showed great attitude in difficult conditions. The league table is very congested and the 10 points we picked up are vitally important and well earned.

“We face a huge game at home to Ynysygerwn this week.”

At Ynysygerwn, the home side were going well at 149-3 against Gorseinon before the weather forced the players off.

Skipper Alex McCormack made a rapid 72 off just 64 balls, with his knock featuring eight boundaries and a six.

Fellow opener Sam Mogford made 37, while Matthew Roberts took 2-22 for Gorseinon.

The match between Mumbles and Llanelli was cancelled.

James Meggitt made a halfcentury for Cardiff in their abandoned match at Ammanford in Premier League 1.

Meggitt made 50 and skipper Tegid Phillips added 29 as Cardiff reached 145-3 in 26.5 overs before the rain arrived.

There was no action in Pontarddulais’s scheduled game at Swansea.