SOUTH WALES ASSOCIATION

TATA STEEL remain in pole position in Division One of the Thomas, Carroll Insurance South Wales Cricket Association despite being held to a winning draw at home to fellow title-chasers Briton Ferry Steel.

The hosts were put in to bat first and saw Rohan Herbert (43) and Kelvin Bartle (34) make useful knocks as they set a target of 181-7 off their 50 overs. Opener Gareth Davies (45) was the best performer in reply for Briton Ferry who ended their innings on 153-8 to claim a draw.

A stunning century from Matthew Evans was not enough for Dafen Welfare who had to settle for a winning draw in their clash with Skewen at Welfare Park. HAVERFORDWEST’S Simon Holliday was the star as his side lifted the Harrison-Allen Bowl for the second time in three years following a tense five-run victory over Cresselly in an absorbing final.

The competition is regarded as the Blue Riband event of Pembrokeshire cricket and the format is over two 22over innings apiece.

Playing on their home ground, Cresselly batted first and made a total of 168-6 off their 22 overs, Matthew Morgan hitting 61 and Ryan Lewis 47.

Haverfordwest made 158-8 in their first innings reply, with Dai Davies hitting an unbeaten 57 and Danny Potter chipping in with 53.

Holliday then took centre stage as he dominated their

Evans notched 14 boundaries on his way to 115 not out as Dafen posted a score of 243-4 from their stint at the crease – with David Jenkins (68) firing Skewen to 204-7 in reply.

Cowbridge eased their relegation fears with an emphatic 10-wicket triumph over Gowerton at The Athletic Ground.

The visitors limped their way to 104 before being bowled out – with Rian Thomas taking an incredible 6-32 before Ben Wright (57no) smashed an unbeaten half-century in reply as Cowbridge claimed a fine win.

Phil Poole produced a man-of-the-match display for Maesteg Celtic who beat Bronwydd by 70 runs – with Poole scoring 82 runs. second innings with a superb 109, with Davies adding 34 to set Cresselly a target of 191 to win the trophy.

They made a bold attempt to reach a formidable target, falling just short in the end at 185-4 with Adam Chandler making a fine 80 and Morgan, who had an excellent game, adding 42.

As predicted, it proved to be a very close call between two very well-balanced and highly competitive sides and the loss of Cresselly’s key batsmen Iwan Izzard, who was attending his sister’s wedding, proved crucial with Holliday the difference.

There was no league action yesterday but Neyland lead Division One, holding a lead of 42 points over Haverfordwest.