LEAF’S EFFORT IS ALL IN VAIN
LLANELLI are joint third in division one of the South Wales Cricket Association after losing by 59 runs at Maesteg Celtic on Saturday.
Celtic skipper and opening bat Nick Poole hit 55 as the Llynfi Valley side posted 223-8 from their 50 overs.
Alex Symmons took 2-23 and Jac Rees 2-31.
But Llanelli never got going in their reply despite a fine 52 from skipper Marcus Leaf and 37 by Ryan Nicholas and they were all out for 163 in 47.3 overs as three home bowlers took three wickets apiece.
Cowbridge are 16 points clear of Tata Steel at the halfway point in the season after Tata maintained their challenge with a 113-run victory at home against Llangennech.
Rhys Owen’s undefeated 61 helped Tata post 174-7 off 50 overs despite Bav Patel taking 4-24, dismissing the first four batsmen, before the visitors were skittled out for 61 in reply. Opener Matthew Jones top-scored with 20.
David Jones took 4-19 while Kevin Bartle bagged 3-2 off 3.3 overs.
In division two there was success for mid-table Drefach, who beat visitors Margam by 126 runs.
Opener Rob Seymour (47 off just 40 balls) and skipper Dafydd Humphreys (52) helped Drefach to 198 all out in 49.3 overs.
But Margam lost both their openers for ducks and quickly slumped to 72 all out in 23 overs
The wickets were shared between Owen Donovan (3-23), John Cartwright (3-2), Harry McBryde (2-7) and Leigh Davies (2-9).
Felinfoel didn’t fare so well at home. They lost by six wickets to Maesteg after being bowled out for 128 in 42.3 overs despite having been given a good start by Stuart Parmenter (32) and Andrew Thomas (31), who put on 56 for the first wicket.
Maesteg then had few problems in easing to 129-4 in the 28th over.
In division three, Pontyberem Firsts won at Llanelli Seconds by six wickets.
Llanelli were all out for 157, Richard Williams top-scoring with 45, helped by 28 from Owain Baxter and 26 from skipper Rhys Westcott. Alun Harris took 3-15.
Then 45 from Berem captain Rhodri Evans, 52 from Rhys Harris and 36 not out from Daniel Griffiths saw the visitors to 158-4 in 45.5 overs.