WANDERERS HIT BY FIRST DEFEAT
CARMARTHEN Wanderers lost their first game of the season when they were beaten by third-placed Penarth at Trinity Fields in South Wales Premier League 2.
Batting first, the Wanderers were struggling at 35-3 at one stage before a stand of 102 between skipper Gareth Thomas (67) and Owain Binding (35) took the hosts to 137, and a total in excess of 200 looked probable.
But with both Thomas and Binding dismissed in quick succession, tight bowling saw the Wanderers finish disappointingly on 148 off 47.4 overs.
Ali Bukkhari took 4-28 and Ryan Sylvester 3-16.
The Wanderers knew that both their bowling and fielding had to be of a high standard and at 52-4 Penarth were under pressure, aided by excellent bowling from Ian Hughes, whose 10 overs brought a wicket and cost just 10 runs.
However, careful Penarth batting saw them over the line with 16 balls to spare. They were indebted to a fifth-wicket stand of 77 between Jack Thomas, who finished unbeaten on 45, and Richard Skone (37). Steven Mills took 2-37 for the Wanderers.
The match was sponsored by Ian Thomas and friends.
The Wanderers head to St Helen’s on Saturday when they face new leaders Swansea.
Meanwhile, the Wanderers’ second team were beaten by eight wickets by Ammanford in the Premier West division.
The Wanderers looked to be in with a fighting chance when they reached 222-8 in their 50 overs. Skipper Ian Taylor led the way with a fine 57 and he found good support from Bradley Roderick-Evans (41) and Mark Wilson (38). Sean Coaker took 3-44 and Samuel Jones chipped in with a couple of wickets.
But Ammanford made light work of their run chase. Opener Rhys Culley bludgeoned his way to 106, an innings that included 11 fours and six sixes, as the hosts reached their target with more than 17 overs to spare.
Tiaan Sparrow made 73 as the openers put on 181. Lewys Thomas took the only two wickets to fall.
The Wanderers host Swansea on Saturday, while Ammanford head to Clydach. Felinfoel batsman Tom Jones goes on the attack against Drefach in division two of the South Wales Cricket Association. Drefach won by nine wickets.
Picture: Phil Davies