CRUCIAL GAMES IN DROP BATTLE
THE battle to avoid relegation from the South Wales Premier League is set to hot up this weekend.
With just three games of the season to go, as many as six clubs are in danger of the drop, with Pontarddulais and Ammanford in the heat of the battle.
And the two clubs face each other on Saturday at Ffosyrefail in a game that could be pivotal in the fight to stay up.
Ammanford currently sit ninth in the 10-team division, having slipped down the table during a dismal run of form that included their feeble 99run defeat at the hands of Cardiff last time out.
They are on 151 points, just a point adrift of Bridgend in eighth and 14 off Pontarddulais, who lie sixth.
Bont have found themselves in danger following their surprise twowicket defeat to Clydach in their last outing.
Clydach look doomed, but also in the relegation mix are Bridgend, Mumbles and even reigning champions Newport, who are fifth but could find themselves back in real trouble if they come unstuck at home to Port Talbot Town this week.
In division two, Carmarthen Wanderers can still claim a top-three finish if they finish the campaign with a flourish.
The Wanderers are fifth, but wins in their final three games could see them overhaul Penarth and Ynystawe.
That may be easier said than done, as on Saturday they face championselect Swansea. The St Helen’s side have won 13 of their 15 matches, though their winning run was halted at the weekend when their home game with Ynystawe was one of those to be washed out.
The Wanderers then close the season with games against struggling Newport Fugitives and Gorseinon.
It is a tough end to the season for Gorseinon, who need points to be sure of staying up. Before the meeting with the Wanderers they head to second-placed Ynysygerwn on Saturday and host Ynystawe a week later.
Meanwhile, Gowerton appear doomed in division one of the South Wales Cricket Association. But Dafen, Bronwydd and Llangennech could all do with picking up points in the final weeks of the season to ensure their safety.
Dafen are faced with a monumental task this weekend as they head toi champions-in-waiting Cowbridge, for whom former Glamorgan batsman Ben Wright is in scintillating form. Bronwydd make the trip to Llandysul and Llangennech will travel in confident mood to Gowerton.