CHAMPS PROVE TOO POWERFUL
AMMANFORD ended their 2022 South Wales Premier Cricket League campaign with a disappointing 88run defeat at St Fagans.
The Cardiff side’s victory meant they retained their league title.
Taking first knock, St Fagans were all out for 227, thanks in the main to their middle order of Alex Hinkley (78) and former Ammanford player Jack Murphy (51).
Their total could have easily been 30 runs more were it not for some tight bowling and excellent fielding from the young Ammanford team, who managed to keep a lid on the final 10-over chase for runs.
Ammanford’s commitment was characterised by two superb diving catches on the boundary by Owen Davies and Kurtis Marsh, both from the bowling of Xavier Clarke who took 3-43.
Billy Root and Owen Davies picked up a couple of wickets each.
The total felt well within reach of Ammanford’s batsmen, but when inform Marsh was superbly caught first ball by a diving catch from Ollie Sherwood
off a full-blooded cut, the writing seemed to be on the wall.
Daniel Roberts (32) and Clarke (26) looked their usual polished selves in the middle order, but some injudicious shot selection ended their innings before they could make a decisive impact.
Despite some tail-end resistance from Benjamin Thomas (17 not out) and Iestyn Jones (16), Ammanford fell well short of their target and were all out for 139 in just 30 overs.
St Fagans captain Owen Morgan took 5-38.
It was a worthy finish for St Fagans, who have won 12 and lost just two of their completed matches this season.
They finished eight points clear of Swansea, who beat Bridgend.
Ammanford ended in sixth place, though will reflect on a summer where so many defeats could easily have been victories.
Pontarddulais ended Clydach’s stay in the top flight by beating their near neighbours by seven wickets.
The Swansea Valley side reached 231-9 in 50 overs, with Jack Todd smacking an 83-ball 96 that included 14 boundaries and two sixes.
Opener Steff Davies scored 60, while Lukas Carey starred for the home attack with figures of 4-44.
Carey then gave Bont a fast start in their reply as he hit 10 fours and a six in an innings of 49 that lasted just 26 balls.
Mathew Fisher (73 not out) and Richard Grant (71) finished the job as the hosts won with more than 18 overs to spare.
Pentyrch finished second in Premier League 2 after winning by 51 runs at Llanelli.
The visitors made 248-6 in their 50 overs with opener Lewis Coates topscoring with 72. Skipper Todd Wilcox added 63.
Llanelli openers Steve Devonald (85) and Owain Baxter (43) gave the home side a solid platform, but Coates’ 10-over spell of 4-23 triggered a collapse and they were reduced to 197-9.
Cowbridge ended the season in third position after beating Carmarthen Wanderers by 39 runs.
Cowbridge were dismissed for 171 as Gareth Thomas ended with the fine figures of 4-24. Salman Saeed (48) and Chris Willey (42) shone with the bat.
But the Wanderers struggled in their reply as both Saeed and Tom Williams took three wickets. Owain Binding scored 35, but the visitors were all out for 132.
It meant they dropped to fifth in the final standings.
A dazzling century by Aneurin Norman guided Mumbles to a sevenrun win over Gorseinon.
Norman’s 129 came off just 107 deliveries and featured seven sixes and 13 boundaries. He scored more than half of Mumbles’ runs as they were all out for 250. Rhys Humphries took 3-38.
Gorseinon had a good go at their target, but fell short on 243-7. Thomas Fowles top-scored with 61 and he found support from Adam Hitchcott (44), Matthew Roberts (42) and Christopher Morgan (40).
Gregory Thomas took 3-44 for Mumbles.