WIN GIVES FOEL A MAJOR BOOST
FELINFOEL kept themselves out of the relegation zone with an eightwicket win at third-placed Aberdare in division two of the South Wales Cricket Association.
Aberdare won the toss and chose to bat, a decision they soon rued as wickets tumbled at regular intervals.
They were all out for 88 in 47.3 overs, Rhys Harries mopping up the tail with 3-9 and Anthony Mathias taking 2-10 and Rohan Nangalia 2-13.
Foel then took just 21.2 overs to reach 90-2 thanks to 23 from Andrew Thomas and 45 not out from Julian Griffiths.
Drefach’s promotion push took a stumble as they went down at home to lowly Merthyr Tydfil.
Ben Mitchell struck to dismiss Merthyr’s top three batsmen as they struggled to 28-3, but 101 fron No. 4 Blaine Harris helped the Valleys side to 218 all out in 48.5 overs.
Mitchell ended up with 3-35, while Leigh Davies took 2-43, Roy Llewellyn 2-54 and John Cartwright 2-24.
But Drefach then found batting tricky, too, and despite 34 from skipper James Carter and an unbeaten 36 from Davies at No. 9, the home side were all out for 169 in 46.3 overs.
In division three, third-placed Pontyberem beat mid-table Dafen Seconds by 102 runs.
Skipper Rhodri Evans (63), Martin Evans (36) and Emyr Harris (47no) all contributed as Berem made 230-7 in their 50 overs. Oliver Evans took 2-46 and Cieran Latham 2-30.
Opener Evans then hit 58 to give Dafen every chance of victory, but we was given only intermittent support from his team-mates and the visitors fell to 128 all out in 45.1 overs. Rhodri Evans took 4-12 and Tristan Jones 3-27.
Bronwydd Seconds lost at home to Briton Ferry Town by 15 runs.
The visitors made 189-8, Colin Tucker taking 3-30 and Byron Jones 2-40.
Opener Steven Phillips then hit 67 and No. 3 Owen Thomas 45 to give Bronwydd a chance, but none of the other batsmen shone and the hosts could only reach 174-6 in their 50 overs.
Bottom club Llanelli Seconds lost by five wickets at Tata Steel Seconds.
No. 8 Dafydd Daniel top-scored for Llanelli with 49 as they were all out for 202 in 44 overs, and that total proved insufficient as Tata reached 203-5 on the first ball of the final over. Harri Rees was the best of the bowlers with 3-33.
In division four, Llanwrda have a 16-point lead at the top after beating visitors Kidwelly by 55 runs.
The Towy Valley side were restricted to 158-7 in their 40 overs, Nigel Clarke hitting 28, Osian Nicholas 29 and David Cumming 27. Dean Hollands took 3-27.
But Kidwelly never got near that total and were just 103-9 after 40 overs as Clarke took 4-26, Steffan Roberts 2-16 and Garan Williams 2-25.
Bottom club Llandeilo (73) lost by 160 runs at GWR Bridgend (236-3), while Llangennech Seconds kept their faint promotion hopes alive by beating mid-table Aberdare Seconds by 14 runs.
Skipper Alan Warner hit 60 and Ben Holding 47 as Llan were all out for 232 in 36.5 overs.
Then despite a whopping 159 partnership for the first wicket between Mike Roberts (101) and Chris Shopland (83), Aberdare could only make 218-5 in their 40 overs.
Gowerton Seconds remain in second spot after a tense five-run win at home to promotion rivals Pontardawe.
Gowerton were all out for 153 but Pontardawe just fell short on 148 all out.
In division one, Llanelli (231-8) beat visitors Gowerton (163) by 68 runs. Llanelli remain in fourth and bottom side Gowerton are now 23 points adrift of last-but-one Llangennech.