Holders bow out of cup

WELSH Cup holders Ammanford crashed out of the competition at the first-round stage with a heavy six-wicket defeat at Mumbles on Sunday.

Batting first in a rain-delayed match, Ammanford reached 135-9, thanks mainly to 39 from their captain Matthew Fisher and 20 from Rhys Culley.

For Mumbles, Adam Lewis Williams took 4-15 and Ryan Aingworth 2-25.

Mumbles made short work of overtaking the Ammanford total in 23 overs, thanks in the main to Dan Lewis Williams whose unbeaten 61 contained six sixes and three fours. LLANELLI are hot on the heels of division one leaders Cowbridge in the South Wales Cricket Association after a comfortable win at bottom club Gowerton on Saturday.

It was a welcome return to form for the Stradey Park side after their 170run thrashing at Cowbridge the previous Saturday.

Llanelli won the toss and elected to bat, a decision they probably regretted when they slumped to 31-3, but 35 from Craig Howells steadied the ship and 25 not out from No. 9 Jac Rees and 23 from No. 10 Alex Symmons steered the visitors to 167-9. Callum Eakins took 4-21 and Harry Bolland 2-23.

Gowerton made a positive start in reply, reaching 35 before losing opener Tomas Davies for 30.

But no other batsman got going and two run-outs and two wickets each for Symmons and Steve Devonald saw Gowerton crash to 103 all out in 36 overs, leaving Llanelli four points behind Cowbridge in the table after five matches.

In division two there was a big win for mid-table Drefach at Merthyr Tydfil, the visitors romping to a 212run win. It was Merthyr’s fifth defeat on the bounce.

Rob Seymour (77) and Harry McBryde (34) put on 104 for the first wicket, and their good work was carried on by Owen Donovan (61), Billy McBryde (28) and Ben Mitchell (42no) as the Gwendraeth men chalked up a whopping 295-6 in their 50 overs.

Seven Merthyr batsmen then failed to trouble the scorers as the hosts were skittled out for 83 in 22.2 overs thanks to Harry McBryde (4-27), Leigh Davies (3-13) and Mitchell (29).

There was no such joy for Felinfoel, who lost at home to Aberdare by seven wickets.

Foel lost both openers Andrew Thomas and Craig Richards for ducks, and it was left to No. 8 Stuart Parmenter to top-score with 25 as they slumped to 111 all out in 35.1 overs. Nathan Spain took 4-26.

Aberdare then had few problems easing to 115-3 in the 24th over, Justin Dsouza leading the way with 57.

In division three, Pontyberem enjoyed a 176-run win away to Dafen II after rattling up 325-5 in their 50 overs.

Opener and skipper Rhodri Evans blasted five sixes and 16 fours in a majestic 157-ball 159 not out, and Emyr Harris added 78 as the pair enjoyed a partnership of 167. Luke Dunning took 3-37 in his six overs.

Dafen openers Gary Phillips (40) and skipper Chris Randell (30) gave Dafen a brisk start to their reply, but then only Jonathon Wastell (33) got going and the hosts fell to 149 all out in the 36th over. Rhys Harris took 3-21, Cadan Lewis 2-67 and Jack Rogers 2-19.

In the same division, Bronwydd II were pipped by just two runs away to Briton Ferry Town.

Ferry Town made 209-7 in their 50 overs, Rhufon Phillips the best of the bowlers with 2-24.

Matthew Bagshaw (46), Carwyn Jones (50) and Mike Jones (42) then Pontyberem batsman Paul Rees deals with a Dafen Seconds delivery. Picture: Phil Davies. gave Bronwydd every chance of victory, but with the last two batsmen at the crease, Owain Rees and Trystan Tyler, their innings closed agonisingly short on 207-9.

Bottom-of-the-table Llanelli II lost by 10 wickets at home to Tata Steel II. Only Rob Thomas (23) and Joshua Williams (12) reached double figures as Llanelli were shot out for 48. Damien Williams took 7-18.

Then Tata raced to 51-0 in 13 overs for an early finish.