Bronwydd go so close to shocking league high-flyers

BRONWYDD produced a valiant performance as they went down by 10 runs to high-flying Maesteg Celtic in division one of the South Wales Cricket Association.

A far better team performance from Bronwydd pushed the team lying second in the league all the way.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first, but the Bronwydd bowlers kept a tight grip on the scoring and Celtic did not have the freedom they were looking for.

The highlight of their innings was 58 from Gareth Hopkins and 41 not out from Phil Poole. But the Bronwydd attack stuck to the task and kept Celtic to a reasonable 196-5, with Tom Gleeson taking 3-26.

Bronwydd were fully aware that the target was achievable if the batsmen could adapt to the conditions and bat the full 50 overs.

Gareth John and James Cale set out the stall by putting on 51 for the first wicket. John was dismissed for 23 and the loss of another quick wicket slowed the progress.

Cale was looking in ominous form, but he played on after scoring 41.

Oli Furneaux with 27 and George Gleeson (16) kept Bronwydd in sight of victory, but the home team slipped from 121-4 to 123-7 and the early good work looked to be in vain.

Carwyn Jones had other ideas as he scored a run-a-ball 33, and with Tom Gleeson (15 not out) and Mathew Vaughan (11) at the wicket the huge crowd were looking at an unlikely home victory.

But the visiting bowlers proved up to the task and Bronwydd fell agonisingly short when the final over was completed.

The game was sponsored by Matthew L Jones Funeral Services, Paul Davies Pinto Café, Dorian Harries, Peter Smith Electrical Contractor and Heddwyn Jones.

Bronwydd make the trip to Dafen on Saturday.