Ammanford batters on song to earn another win
AMMANFORD’S strong finish to the 2022 South Wales Premier League 1 season continued with an emphatic 137-run victory over Clydach at the Park.
Despite losing a wicket without a run on the board, Ammanford’s in-form top order of Kurtis Marsh, Xavier Clarke and Daniel Roberts once again showed the firepower which, with a better start to the season, could have made them championship contenders.
Marsh (54) was dominant in a second-wicket stand which eased Ammanford past the halfcentury mark inside the half hour, but the match-winning partnership of 138 was between Clarke (82) and Roberts (79).
Josef Davies helped out with an aggressive unbeaten 36 which enabled Ammanford to close on a polished 290-5.
Jack Todd and Jonathan Hubschmid took a couple of wickets each for Clydach.
A sparkling half century from opener Steff Davies which contained 11 fours, supported by 31 from Rhodri Davies, was the only real highlight of Clydach’s response.
The remainder of the team crumbled to 153 all out inside 32 overs, due mainly to a careerbest 6-43 from Owen Davies.
This decisive win moved Ammanford into the top half of Premier 1 and relegated Clydach, who are 37 points adrift with one match remaining.
Ammanford test themselves against the best this Saturday when they travel to tabletopping St Fagans, who need a victory to secure the title. Ammanford have never been in better shape to spoil their plans.
On Bank Holiday Sunday, Ammanford meet Neath in the final of the SWCA T20 Knockout Cup. It takes place at Clydach, wickets pitched 3pm. Despite its clash with the cricket club’s family fun day at the Park the same day, Ammanford will be hoping for a good following at Clydach.
Meanwhile, Ammanford Seconds lost by 81 runs at Ynystawe in the Premier League West 2nd XI championship.
Dean Price (53), Rowan Evans (51) and skipper Ceri Durke (70) enabled the home team to post an improbable target of 322-8 in their 45 overs.
Fin Jeffries (3-67) and Sion Evans (2-2) were Ammanford’s main wicket-takers. Captain Tomos Roach led Ammanford’s response by example, and his 91 was supported by Llyr Morgan (46) and Iestyn Jones (35), but the visitors fell short as they were dismissed for a very respectable 241 inside 42 overs.