FRANCIS KNOCK SPELLS TROUBLE
CARMARTHEN Wanderers went down by 31 runs in a high-scoring encounter at Malpas in South Wales Premier League 2.
Batting first, the Newport side relied on contributions from James Francis, whose superb 123 included 13 boundaries and five sixes, and Lewis Morgan, who scored 51.
Steve Mills and Robbie Crawford were the most successful Wanderers bowlers as they both bagged two wickets.
In response, Wanderers opening batsman Owain Davies set the pace with a hard-hit 67 which featured 10 fours and one six.
But he found little support from the top order and when he was dismissed the Wanderers were struggling at 93-5.
However, an excellent sixth-wicket stand of 87 between Owain Binding (65) and the experienced Darrel Griffiths (20) brought the Wanderers back into the game.
But both were dismissed in quick succession, and despite a valiant effort from the lower-order batsmen, the visitors fell short at 219.
David Griffiths took 3-34 and Lewis Morgan 3-42.
The Wanderers remain fifth in the league table and entertain Newbridge on Saturday at Trinity Fields.
Meanwhile, Carmarthen Wanderers Seconds climbed to fourth in the second XI championship thanks to a 46-run victory at home to Clydach.
After opting to bat first, the Wanderers lost openers Andrew Harley and Carl Holding cheaply, but Leighton Walters scored 41 and Bradley Roderick-Evans 29 to give the innings some momentum.
Skipper Ian Taylor added 34 as the home side were all out for 187 in the 48th over. They were helped by 31 extras. William Thomas took 3-48 for the Swansea Valley side.
The Clydach reply got off to a disastrous start when opener Jason Appleby was caught by Joshua Thomas off the bowling of William Moore without scoring. Jonathan Donne made 22 before he was bowled by Walters, with Ioan Martin top-scoring with 25 as the Clydach innings faltered and they were all out for 141.
Moore, Steffan Jones and Rhys Jones all claimed two wickets. Ammanford Seconds opener Steff Phillips looks for runs down the ground during his side’s defeat to Ynystawe. Picture: Phil Davies.