Wood leads the charge as Dyffryn stay top of the pile

DIVISION three leaders Dyffryn were comfortable 152-run victors over struggling Pontyberem.

The Neath side batted first and were all out for 250. Darren Wood scored 56 and skipper Lewis Day was unbeaten on 52.

Iestyn Davies took three wickets for Pontyberem.

The Gwendraeth Valley side never looked like reaching their target, with captain Craig Evans (23) and Martin Evans (17 not out) the only ones to reach double figures.

Phil Paisey took 5-17 and Alun Evans 3-28.

Pontardawe saw off Gowerton Seconds by seven wickets after making light work of chasing the visitors’ 153 all out.

Matthew Drew top-scored for Gowerton with 24 as Jeff Hapgood continued his excellent form for the Swansea Valley side with 5-36 off 10 overs.

Jason Rourke and Craig Alliss chipped in with 2-41 and 2-5 respectively.

Then Ponty opener Adrian Lock’s 40 gave the hosts the ideal platform for Arwel Rees to blast a quickfire 27 and Chris Keen 32 not out as they eased to 155-3 in 28.1 overs.

Porthcawl now lie fourth in the table after edging past Llanelli Seconds by one wicket in a tense encounter.

There were also wins for Maesteg Seconds, who defeated bottom club Margam, and Ynysygerwn Seconds, who beat Landore by nine wickets.

Pontardawe Seconds edged to a two-wicket win at division six leaders Baglan despite the home side’s openers Paul Morris (61) and skipper Rob Saunders (75) putting on a superb opening stand of 139.

Chris Broad added 21, but then Phil Begley ripped through the order with 5-28, three of the wickets falling in one over, as the home side fell to 197-8 in their 40 overs.

Ponty skipper Richard Harris (54) and fellow opener Iago Harrisbratley (63) put on a 115-run partnership of their own to set the reply up nicely, and although wickets fell at regular intervals, the visitors edged to 198-8 in the 38th over.

Kevin O’leary took 3-31 and Richard Howe 2-36.

Ammanford Thirds lost a thriller by one wicket at Clydach Thirds.

Batting first, Ammanford reached 147-9, thanks to a knock of 68 from opener and captain Steve Hagget.

Paul Crocker did most of the damage for Clydach with 4-11.

Ammanford’s bowlers took regular wickets, with the game in the balance until the very end as Clydach scored the winning run with their final pair at the wicket.

Crocker capped a fine all-round performance with 28, while Ammanford’s best bowler was George Williams with 3-21.