OWAIN STARS IN EASY WIN
CARMARTHEN Wanderers maintained third place in division two of the South Wales Premier Cricket League thanks to a comfortable 72-run victory over Gorseinon at Trinity Fields.
Batting first in damp conditions, the Wanderers posted a competitive total of 217-7 based on solid contributions from Owain Binding (48), Gareth Thomas (34), Tom Davies (40 not out) and Iestyn Scourfield (32).
Because of rain, the Gorseinon target was revised to 210 off 46 overs, but excellent bowling from man of the match Binding – he claimed 5-31 off his 10 overs – put the hosts in command.
He was supported by Scourfield, who took 3-29, as Gorseinon fell short at 137-9. Thomas Fowles shone for the visitors with 40.
The Wanderers claimed 19 points from the contest.
A partnership of 165 between Tom Williams and Amari Ebbin steered Cowbridge to an impressive eight-wicket win over visitors Llanelli.
The pair came together with Cowbridge looking in trouble at 14-2 as they chased a target of 176 for victory.
But Williams scored a fluent 77 not out and Ebbin was unbeaten on 73 as the home side eased over the line in the 34th over.
Earlier, Llanelli were dismissed for 175 with Jac Rees topscoring with 54. Samuel Russell took 3-31.
Ammanford lost the chance for what could have been a crucial victory in the Premier League 1 when rain forced the abandonment of their match against Neath at the Park.
Batting first, Ammanford got off to an excellent start with a century partnership for the opening wicket between Kurtis Marsh and Rhodri-Huw Davies.
Marsh, in particular, was in bullish mood, stroking the ball regularly to the boundary and exhibiting the wide array of shots at his disposal.
When Davies was bowled for 26, his supporting role was carried on by the incoming Dan Roberts.
Marsh and Roberts put on a further 61 before Roberts was caught for 28.
When rain finally put an end to matters after 25 overs, Ammanford were on a commanding 162-2, of which Marsh had made a seriously impressive and unbeaten 98.
Despite the lack of a result,
Ammanford’s assertive batting gained them a healthy 10 points which moved them up to seventh place in the table, some 28 points clear of bottom side Clydach.
On Saturday, Ammanford travel to the capital where they take on Cardiff.
Ruaidhri Smith struck a brilliant 130 not out as St Fagans beat Pontarddulais in the only game in the top division to be completed.
Smith’s runs came off just 113 deliveries and he smacked 11 boundaries and six sixes. Opener Alex Hinkley added fine support with 76 as the hosts closed on 270-7.
Gary Arrowsmith made 63 in Bont’s reply and they were 137-5 – short of their rain-adjusted target – when rain ended the contest early.