HOLMES DENIES HOSTS VICTORY
AMMANFORD lost a high-scoring encounter with Cardiff in the final over at the Park in the South Wales Premier League.
Batting first, Ammanford were instantly struggling as they stumbled to 1-2 in the second over.
But when Matthew Fisher joined opener Elis Richards, the pair recovered to establish a century partnership before Richards was dismissed for 37.
Fisher was joined by Rhys Davies (42) and these two kept up the run rate with a stand of 70 for the fourth wicket.
When Fisher, looking good for a century, was unluckily caught and bowled for 89 with 14 overs to go, momentum was lost.
Despite cameos from Matthew Roberts (24) and Craig Maloney (18), the late-order batsmen failed to capitalise on what had been a solid platform, and this was to cost Ammanford.
They closed on 246-9. Cardiff’s main wicket-takers were opening bowlers Luke Cheshire (445) and Osama Subhan (3-39).
Cardiff also got off to a poor start, losing two wickets with just 13 on the board.
However, when skipper Greg Holmes came to the wicket it was the beginning of the end for Ammanford.
Holmes and Glamorgan’s Prem Sisodiya built a faultless stand of 161 for the third wicket, which effectively won the game.
When Sisodiya was out for 73, Holmes maintained a vice-like grip on the match, never falling behind the required rate and never giving a hint of a chance.
He carried his bat for an unbeaten 129 as Cardiff hit the winning run off the first ball of the final over for a four-wicket victory.
Cardiff leapfrog Ammanford, who are now next to bottom with only reigning champions Newport below them.
On Saturday they travel to Clydach, who are just one place above them.
Meanwhile, Ammanford’s second XI were beaten by 125 runs at Ynysygerwn.
The Neath Valley side were all out for 209, with opener Tom Phillips leading the way with a superb 117. He dominated the innings to such an extent that the next highest scorer Dafen Seconds batsman Jack Wooller pictured in action against visitors Pontyberem in division three of the South Wales Cricket Association. Pontyberem won by 176 runs. was Adam Bray with 16, though Ammanford did not help themselves by conceding 44 extras.
Jamie Evans took 5-39, with Callum Croft claiming 3-40 and Steffan Phillips 2-21.
Ammanford were all out for 84, with Osian Jones top-scoring with 21.
And Ammanford Thirds were put to the sword at Maesteg, suffering a 157-run defeat at the hands of the division six leaders.
Thomas Harding did the main damage for the home side with an unbeaten century. He was ably supported by Sion King with 74 as Maesteg raced to 220-3 in their 40 overs.
Despite a battling 28 from Tomos Roach, Ammanford had no answer to the Maesteg attack and they crumbled to 63 all out in 21 overs.