SOUTH WALES ASSOCIATION
WITH three weeks of the season remaining Llanelli are still in the box seat to win the South Wales Cricket Association Division One crown.
However, there could still be a few twists and turns yet as was proved with the top two both losing at the weekend.
Leaders Llanelli went down by three wickets at Dafen Welfare, who ran out victors with two balls to spare.
Earlier, skipper Marcus Leal had struck 87 at the top of the order for Llanelli, who made 202-8 off their 50 overs, an innings that included 12 fours and a six.
It was a close-run thing in reply, with Matthew Evans (74) and Jamie Mansel (56) both whacking three sixes in their knocks before Philip George and Matthew Donoghue got Dafen over the line in the last over.
David Richards took 4-49 for Llanelli.
However, the blow of that defeat was softened somewhat with the news that nearest challengers Bronwydd had also lost by four wickets at Gorseinon, for whom Ashley Pass bagged four wickets and then struck
NORTH WALES
BANGOR suffered a setback to their North Wales League title aspirations when they slipped to a 28-run defeat against Connah’s Quay.
Connah’s Quay chose to bat first and made 227, with Martin Burger top-scoring with 80 which included 12 fours and one six.
Bangor seemed to be heading for victory until they lost their last four wickets for 12 runs, finishing on 199.
Francois Mostert, one of the league’s top scorers, was stranded at the death on 103 not out — he had hit 10 fours.
Champions Llandudno kept alive their outside chances of retaining the title with an emphatic 10-wicket victory over Chirk.
Chirk chose to bat first but were skittled out for 104 with only Welisarage Fernando (29) and Nick Flack (24) making any meaningful contributions.
Dan Evans was in brilliant form with the ball for the Seasiders, bagging his first five-wicket haul for the club. His figures of 5-8 destroyed
PEMBROKESHIRE
CRESSELLY got over their HarrisonAllen Bowl final heartbreak with a seven-wicket victory over Whitland in a second-versus-third clash in Division One of the Thomas Carroll Pembrokeshire Cricket League.
Geraint Jones hit 27 as Whitland batted first before Matthew Davies added 20. But Dan James put in a five-star performance as he took 5-21 to help bowl them out on just 83, with help from Tom Arthur (4-17).
Cresselly came back with 36 from Iwan Izzard while Adam Chandler struck an unbeaten 34 as they sealed victory on 85-3, with Dylan Blain claiming two wickets.
Meanwhile, leaders Carew could a half century to inspire them.
Pass took 4-20 from his 10-over spell to help bowl the visitors out for 99, with Joe Baker finishing them off with 2-15.
But despite being 9-3 in reply, that total was always getable for Gorseinon with Pass, who struck seven fours in his unbeaten 54, steering them to victory.
As a result of all that Llanelli still lead the way by 25 points.
Meanwhile, Maesteg Celtic are still in a good position to return to Division One at the first time of asking despite drawing against Skewen in Division Two.
The duo of Nick Poole (56no) and Phil Poole (55no) helped leaders Celtic into a strong 173-run lead.
Skewen fought back through Daniel Rees (24) and John Jones (21) but they could only muster 98-9, with Matthew Davies and Glen Lawlor both taking three wickets.
But having completed their 50 overs with one wicket still intact, they avoided defeat, with Luke Martin and number 11 Geraint Fisher standing firm for eight overs. Chirk. Llandudno hit 107 off 16 overs without losing a wicket. Robin Smith was unbeaten on 63 and Evans 42.
Denbigh are also still in the hunt after a 54-run success against Mochdre.
St Asaph defeated Gresford by 53 runs in a reduced over game after the intervention of rain.
Matthew Ryan hit eight fours in St Asaph’s score of 162.
Batting first Denbigh hit 110 and then Mochdre were dismissed for a meagre 56.
In the first division Pwllheli gave a brilliant display to beat Mold by eight wickets.
Batting first after winning the toss, Mold were all out for 77 with only opening batsman George Deniz providing any resistance to the Pwllheli attack; he scored 24.
Pwllheli passed the target for the loss of only two wickets. Jason Underwood was at the crease at the close having scored 33.
Elsewhere, Pontblyddyn beat Bersham by four wickets. only manage a draw against Neyland, who were still on a high after winning the Harrison-Allen Bowl.
Nathan Banner was the star for Neyland, as they batted first, with an unbeaten 95 to help them reach 1838. But Carew fought back through 51 from Rhys Davies. Despite only scoring 161-7, they avoided defeat with three wickets still intact.
Elsewhere, St Ishmaels (104-1) thumped Pembroke (102) by nine wickets while Haverfordwest (64-6) enjoyed a four-wicket triumph at Kilgetty (61).
Lawrenny (139-4) were also victorious as they beat Johnston (137) by six wickets.