Reigning champs Bridgend edge top-of-table clash
CHAMPIONS Bridgend Town secured a winning draw in the top of the table clash in the Thomas Carroll South Wales Premier Cricket League Division One against Mumbles at Marespool.
Bridgend won the toss and scored 285-8 from their 50 overs, Tom Baker striking a fine 118 and Darren Thomas 49, with Dan Roberts taking 3-54.
Mumbles were 230-7 in reply, skipper Aneurin Norman scoring 50 and Max Phillips 45 with Nick Davies taking 4-21 for Bridgend.
Ammanford had to settle for a winning draw at home to Ynysygerwn after batting first with skipper Alun Evans in blistering form, falling just five runs short of a magnificent century in an innings that included 7 fours and a six to lead his side to 225-8.
Matthew Roberts chipped in with a hard-hitting 55, including eight boundaries with Richard Grant the best of the visitors’ bowlers, taking 3-23.
Ynysygerwn were 185-8 at the close, their star man Sam Davies unbeaten on 89, with Evans the pick of the home bowlers with 3-30.
Cardiff secured a winning draw at Newport and were first to occupy the crease after winning the toss, being sent back for a total of 200 in just over 48 overs.
Skipper Greg Holmes top scored for the visitors with 73 as he shared in a fourth wicket partnership of 123 with Connor Brown who hit 65.
Scott Thornton did most of the damage for Newport, returning the impressive figures of 4-25.
Newport opener Matthew Norris set the foundation of his side’s reply with 48, with skipper Michael Clayden adding 27 as the hosts finished on 157-9, Steffan Kelly the pick of the Cardiff bowl- ers with 3-31.
Port Talbot Town’s Gareth Rees hit a magnificent 111 to lead the Steelmen to a total of 290-8 from their 50 overs.
Rees reached a century off just 122 balls as he dominated the home bowling attack in a superb performance at St Helens.
Michael Samuel added 45 and Sean Griffiths 30 with Jonathan Hubschmid picking up 3-64 for Swansea.
Swansea were 225-6 at the close, handing Port Talbot a winning draw, with Dan Pickard 38 and George Parsons 35.
Neath won at Pontarddulais by 7 wickets after dismissing the home side for 197, Shaun Harris striking 61 and Cameron Herring 33. Matthew Pearce, Neil Brand and Matthew Davies each picked up two wickets.
Brand then took control of the Neath reply with a brilliant 113, including 12 fours and 2 sixes, sharing in a third wicket partnership of 136 with Scott Thomas, who made 47, as Neath coasted to 200-3.