SOUTH WALES ASSOCIATION

LLANELLI sealed the South Wales Cricket Association Division One title in devastating fashion with a crushing nine-wicket victory over Gorseinon at Stradey Park.

With an 18-point lead at the start of the day Llanelli knew a win would guarantee them the league title, and bowler Dan Roberts took 4-21 as Gorseinon were bowled out for 142 after Chris Morgan hit 60.

And Marcus Leaf then guided Llanelli to the league-clinching victory with an unbeaten 70. Craig Howells added 36 not out for good measure as they finished on 144-1.

Dafen Welfare stood an outside chance of beating Llanelli to the title and knew only a big win would be enough to claim an unlikely league trophy.

And they claimed 28 points after beating already-relegated Briton Ferry Steel by 97 runs.

David Williams led the way for Dafen with a 78-ball 83, which contained six fours and three sixes. Gethin Long weighed in with 43 as Dafen finished on 225-8, with Kristopher Pemberton taking 3-38.

Luke O’Connor struck 46 in response for Briton Ferry but they were soon bowled out on 128, with Jonathan Randall boasting a four-wicket haul. But with Llanelli winning, Dafen had to settle for second place.

At the other end of the table, Merthyr Tydfil will return to Division Two after just one season after losing by 110 runs to Bronwydd.

Bronwydd, who had triplets Bleddyn, Daf and Carwyn Morgan playing alongside their dad Mike Morgan, batted first and posted 219 before they were dismissed. Meirion Davies led the way with 64, George Gleeson backing that up with 45.

Matthew Davies and Blaine Harris both took four wickets for Merthyr and proved to be their leading scorers in batting, Davies hitting 23 and Harris adding 22.

But it wasn’t enough as Gihan Fernando claimed 5-17 and Tom Gleeson bagged 4-44 as last year’s Division Two champions were skittled out for 109.