Openers in command as Llanelli launch season in style

LLANELLI got off to a winning start on their return to the South Wales Cricket Association as they defeated Briton Ferry Steel by 53 runs.

The Stradey Park club were indebted to openers Iwan Rees and Ioan Phillips, who put on 139 for the first wicket.

That partnership ended when Phillips was bowled by Craig Evans for 53, but Rees continued to put the Steel bowlers to the sword before he was dismissed for 93.

Craig Howells added 37 and skipper Marcus Leaf 25 as Llanelli reached 253-8.

The Steel openers were also in good form as Lloyd Clement and Jason Hughes put on 58 for the first wicket. Clement went on to top-score with 59, with Hughes making 36 and Steve Maddock 32.

Jac Rees and Iwan Rees both claimed two wickets as Steel fell short of their target on 200-9.

Also in division one, Tomas Davies and David Gascoyne both hit halfcenturies as Gowerton beat Dafen by five wickets.

Dafen were all out for 158 after being put in to bat, with Kurtis Marsh making 51. Adam Quick was Gowerton’s star bowler with 5-33.

Gowerton were always in control of their run chase, with Davies (62) and Gascoyne (59) sharing a stand of 99 for the second wicket and they eased home with almost five overs to spare.

Marsh took 3-22 for Dafen. Llangennech went down by eight runs to Maesteg Celtic.

The Llynfi Valley side were all out for 85, with Bav Patel taking 3-9.

But only Christopher Hickey (31) and Berian Rees (12) got into double figures for Llan as they were dismissed for 77.