SOUTH WALES ASSOCIATION

land’s bowlers would have to work harder here than for their quickfire, landslide win at rainy Lord’s.

The new ball swung prodigiously under cloud cover.

But Shikhar Dhawan, back as opener in place of Murali Vijay after India made three changes to their losing team, batted with good sense and skill, as did KL Rahul.

The result was a partnership of 60, at that point India’s highest for any wicket in the series, only for the introduction of Woakes to spark a lunchtime wobble.

Dhawan’s was the first of three wickets to fall for 22 runs, neatly caught at second slip as he edged one on the back-foot defence.

Rahul was then unable to handle exaggerated seam movement, which pinned him lbw defending deep in his crease, before Cheteshwar Pujara hooked the last ball of the morning straight to Rashid at long leg.

Kohli stood aghast at the non-striker’s end, all the more entrenched for the second session as he and Rahane duly put together an exemplary stand.

There was barely an anxious moment as they profited especially off Stokes and also when Root turned to Rashid - who was farmed, riskfree, for almost six an over in his first spell.

The evening began with a wonderful effort by James Anderson to pull off a one-handed catch above his head at point as Rahane launched a ferocious cut at Woakes on 57.

It stopped a certain four but Anderson could not hold on, and it was only a moment of brilliance from Alastair Cook at slip that eventually broke the partnership - Rahane with the edge off Stuart Broad and England’s former captain displaying memorable reactions to hold the half-chance one-handed away to his left.

Kohli seemed sure to bag his second century of the summer, until his misadventure against Rashid. But India still finished on top. Keaton Jennings put down a straightforward catch at third slip when Broad got extra bounce to hit Pandya on glove and shoulder - but the deserving Anderson had the same batsman edging the final ball of the day for Jos Buttler’s second slip catch. NEWPORT have been crowned champions of the South Wales Premier League.

That is despite their penultimate fixture of the season at Bridgend Town being ruined by the weather yesterday, but a total washout for nearest challengers Neath against Pontarddulais means the Gwent side are home and dry with a game to spare.

They did get going in their match with Bridgend at Newbridge Fields and, having been put in after losing the toss, were 28-2 when rain finally called a halt to proceedings with only 11 overs of play possible.

It also means Newport regain the title they surrendered to Cardiff 12 months ago.

The club’s honorary secretary Phillip Stallard said: “We’re absolutely delighted, particularly as we’ve only lost one game this year.

“To win it back is very pleasing and we’re very proud of the lads.”

Newport round off their season at Mumbles next Saturday.

Elsewhere in Division One, a century from Daniel Rowe helped guide Port Talbot Town to a 22-run victory at THE Division One title race looks set to go down to the wire after the top two both picked up routine victories.

Leaders Gorseinon kept their place at the summit with a seven-wicket triumph over basement boys Swansea Civil Service.

Civil Service were put in to bat, after Gorseinon won the toss, and they only managed 81 before they were dismissed.

Benjamin Novis led the way with 21 while Thomas Milford chipped in with 19 but Jack Donovan shone with the ball as he took six wickets to help them on their way. Andrew Dyer and Kieran Howells took the remaining wickets with two apiece.

Ashley Pass struck 41 in the chase and was backed up by Howell’s 20 as Gorseinon knocked off the runs to keep their title hopes alive.

However, Cowbridge are still St Fagans under Duckworth-Lewis rules in a rain-affected contest.

After being inserted Port Talbot put 218-7 on the scoreboard from their allotted 50 overs.

Rowe whacked 10 fours and two sixes in his 111-ball knock of 102.

Gareth Weatherall was the St Fagans leading wicket-taker with 3-57.

St Fagans were then given a revised target of 105 to win off 23 overs but fell short on 83-4.

Lewis Jones picked up a couple of wickets for Port Talbot – and it a result that all but ensures their Division One status for another year.

Bottom side Ynysygerwn look set to be the side that drop into Division Two after their nine-wicket defeat against dethroned champions Cardiff.

Darren Thomas hit 50 for Ynysygerwn who were bowled out for 180 having won the toss and elected to bat first.

Tegid Phillips bagged himself 4-23 while Prem Sisodiya also picked up a couple of wickets.

Cardiff had then reached 115-1 when the rain finally intervened 29.3 overs into their reply and, after the breathing down their necks after easing to a nine-wicket victory over Merthyr Tydfil.

Cowbridge won the toss and opted to put Merthyr in to bat, and it proved to be a wise decision with bowler Brad Evans in inspired the form.

Evans claimed a stunning eightwicket haul, which included the dismissal of top scorer Rhys Boswell (10), to bowl Merthyr out on 40.

But Evans wasn’t finished there as he then steered Cowbridge to victory with 26 off 11 balls.

This weekend Gorseinon travel to third-placed Maesteg Celtic while Cowbridge host mid-table Aberdare with the title still up for grabs.

Meanwhile, Llandysul claimed a surprise eight-wicket win over Maesteg Celtic.

Gareth Hopkins struck 64 as Celtic posted 156-9 from 50 overs. sums were calculated after the match, it was decided their target would in fact have been 76 off 29.3 overs – so they ended victorious. Sisodiya finished unbeaten on 44. The game between Mumbles and Ammanford was cancelled without a ball being bowled.

There was also one result possible in Division Two where Penarth gave their promotion hopes a massive boost with a 64-run home victory over Panteg.

After being inserted, Penarth reached 239-5 off their 50 overs with Richard Skone top scoring with 77.

Callum Reid took 4-40 for visitors Panteg who were then all out for 175 in reply.

Skipper James Reid top scored with 46 down the order with Richard Skone picking up 3-26 while Tom Sidford and Will Skone both collected a couple of wickets.

Tata Steel’s home game with Malpas was abandoned after 28.5 overs with hosts Tata having reached 139-3 after being put in.

Opener Martin Lewis was unbeaten on 46 with Cameron Bamford on 36 not out when the rain came.

But the trio of Ian Pask (54), Andrew Edwards (43) and Ben Edkins (44no) led Llandysul to victory.

Despite being on the losing side, it was a memorable day for 13-year-old bowler Iwan Evans as he took 1-13.

In other action, Chris Hardy took five wickets to help Bronwydd (109-5) see off Aberdare (108) by five wickets while Dafen Welfare’s trip to Gowerton was cancelled due to the weather.

The rain continued to wreak havoc throughout the rest of the schedule but that didn’t stop the celebrations at Dyffryn as they were crowned Division Four champions.

Skewen II conceded their game to Dyffryn and with the rain cancelling Llangennech II’s game with Gowerton II and forcing Pontardawe to abandon their game at Briton Ferry Steel II, it means Dyffryn can no longer be caught.