A CUP REVERSE FOR BRONWYDD
BRONWYDD suffered defeat in the Village Cup as they lost at Neyland.
Although the rain which had wiped out the cricket programme on Saturday kept away, the spectators, players and officials had to suffer a strong chilly wind which blew across the ground.
With seven regular first-team players unavailable, the team skipper Oli Furneaux had at his disposal was a mixture of senior and promising youth players.
He won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first on a pitch affected by the previous day’s rain. The bowlers kept to a strict line and length and gradually chipped away at the Neyland batsmen.
Opener Nick Koomen made 38 and big-hitting Brad McDermott-Jenkins 40 to help push the score along, but Colin Tucker with 2-31, Mathew Bagshaw with 2-48, Josh Rencken (2-34) and James Dickson (3-18) kept the score in check.
The final total was 160, with young wicketkeeper Carwyn Jones and bowler Trystan Tyler both impressing in difficult conditions.
The Bronwydd reply was kicked off by Rencken (19) and Jacob Jenkinson (14), but when they were separated the remainder of the batsmen failed to continue their good work and with extras being the next highest score with seven, the innings fell away to finish on a disappointing 62 all out.
The Neyland bowlers were led by Gregg Miller with 3-11 and Ross Hardy, who took 4-5 in seven overs.
Gowerton were able to entertain Dafen in the first round of the Welsh Cup on Sunday.
The Victoria Road ground was in excellent condition despite the incessant rain of the previous day and the game got under way on time.
Having not entered for several years, it was a welcome return to a competition in which the hosts have a rich tradition, having been finalists on eight occasions and lifting the trophy in 1993 and 2002.
The visitors won the toss and opted to bat first.
They were soon in trouble at 23-3 in the fifth over. That became 49-5 in the 12th over, with opening bowlers Shane Nicholas (4-36) and Callum Eakins (1-25) both bowling impressively.
Nicholas extracted movement, while Eakins’s pace caused constant problems for the Dafen top order.
Matthew Donoghue (33 including five boundaries) and Jonathan Randell (8) set about re-establishing the innings but when both were dismissed, with Andrew Dyer following soon afterwards, they were up against it at 87-8.
Will Collinson (2-16) and Tom Clarke (1-10) maintained the pressure applied by the opening bowlers.
A heavy shower saw the game halted for 45 minutes and when the players returned the game was reduced to one of 33 overs.
Jack Davies (1-6) and Daniel Allen quickly wrapped up the innings and Gowerton were left chasing 105 for victory.
They got off to a flying start and were on 29 in the fourth over when Andrew Dyer (2-18) dismissed Allen, and captain Matthew Mason (18) and Jamie Morgan followed quickly and the hosts were tottering on 33-3.
Cool heads were required and they came in the shape of Bevan Daniels (40no, including one four and three sixes) and vice-captain David Gascoyne (23no including three fours).
Their undefeated partnership of 72 saw Gowerton comfortably over the line with seven wickets and 13 overs remaining.
Josh Simmons (1-29) was the only other successful Dafen bowler.
Gowerton host neighbours Gorseinon in the next round. Dafen will be looking to reverse their fortunes when they play Gowerton at home in the league this Saturday.
Both Carmarthen Wanderers’ senior Premier League games were washed out due to the poor weather.
This Saturday the first team entertain Malpas from Newport and the seconds travel to the Swansea Valley to face Clydach, with both sides looking to follow up their impressive opening performances.
Meanwhile, Llandeilo have appointed Jeff Evans as their new coach.
Evans, from Betws, played for Ammanford for many years. He will help
captain Rob Davies run the first team and take over the overall coaching for all teams.
The advent of junior cricket provided for 5 to 11-year-old boys and girls will hopefully provide an avenue for future generations.
Chairman Trevor Vennett-Smith said: “The positive actions of the committee over the last stagnant months has brought the club into a position of strength and financial stability.
“The support in donations and grants from the local area has been outstanding, especially our major sponsor Centaframe PVCU Systems Ltd.
“The club is really pleased with the way it has integrated and progressed in the local community.”