Magic Morgan’s century gives Gowerton a flyer
GOWERTON got their Peter Lynn and Partners South Wales Cricket Association season off to a flying start with an impressive 213-run defeat of promoted Baglan in division one.
Gowerton elected to bat and after the loss of an early wicket, captain Matthew Mason (39) and Bevan Daniels (37) compiled a 50-run partnership.
When they were dismissed, real momentum was provided by Jamie Morgan (103), his first league century featuring 16 fours, and Eddy Evans (54 with two sixes and seven fours).
A late flurry from 15-year-old Jack Hobbs (14) and Callum Eakins (20) saw the hosts compile an imposing 327-9.
Baglan’s bowlers battled gamely against the onslaught, with Taylor Rees, Yakoob Ali, John O’leary and Lee Williams all grabbing a brace of wickets apiece.
The visitors responded positively and an opening partnership of 60 in just over 10 overs from Ali (20) and captain Jon Lewis (16) gave hope of a strong chase.
However, the introduction of Eakins changed things and the pace and bounce he was able to extract tore the heart out of the innings and he ended with the fine figures of 6-22 from his 10 overs, which included four maidens.
Young Hobbs proved the perfect foil at the other end, his six overs rewarded with figures of 1-7.
Spinners Mason (2-20) and another 15-year-old, James Cable (1-9) completed the job, and the visitors were dismissed for 114. Wicketkeeper David Gascoyne claimed four victims.
It was a big day for the Port Talbot club as it was their first ever game in the top division, and although the result didn’t go their way they impressed with their attitude.
Local rivals Llangennech and Dafen were involved in an exciting game, with visitors Dafen edging it by five runs.
Batsmen Abdullah Rahimi (40), Simon Jones (28), Matthew Donoghue (36) and Jonathan Randell (37) helped Dafen to 212-8 in their 50 overs. Simon Clement, Matthew Jones and Nathan Richards took two wickets each, though Clement (2-20) was by far the most economical.
James Taube’s 10-over spell (0-21) was also very tight.
Taube at No. 3 then made early runs for Llangennech, but it was wicketkeeper David Williams who really gave the innings some impetus with 73 off 73 balls, including four fours and five sixes.
No-one was able to stay with him for long, however, and Llan ended on 207-9.
Aberdare (144-2) raced to an eightwicket win at home to Maesteg Celtic (143 all out), while Bronwydd beat visitors Tata Steel by 43 runs.
Opener James Cale (56) and skipper Oli Furneaux (86) set Bronwydd on their way to 249-9, helped by a late flurry from Meirion Davies (34) and Carwyn Jones (28). Kelvin Bartle took 3-31.
Skipper Daniel Melindo (48), Bartle (44) and Rohan Herbert (30) then helped Tata to 206 all out as James Dickson (3-21) and George Gleeson (3-41) got among the wickets.
In the other game in division one, Maesteg rattled up the highest total of the day – 398-5 – in beating Llandysul by 156 runs.
Opener Andrew King blasted 153 off 138 balls (18 fours and four sixes), helped by skipper Ashley Colston (48) and Callum Walters (46). All the bowlers took punishment but Rhys Jones (2-58) had the best figures.
Llandysul’s reply was soon in trouble at 19-3, and despite 53 from Gary Williams, 48 from Dafydd Morgan and 65 from Rhys Jones, the Ceredigion side were all out for 242. Ewan Lambert took 4-29.
In division two, Morriston got off to a winning start with a two-wicket success at Drefach.
Rob Seymour’s 40 off 42 balls was the highlight of Drefach’s innings as they fell to 138 all out. Matthew Green took 4-22, Greg Handley 2-26 and Graeme Morris 2-27.
Morriston then hit a few difficulties as wickets fell regularly despite Irfan Sardar’s 29. Then No. 8 Handley appeared to be taking the game Morriston’s way, but when he was run out for 30 it took an unbeaten 16 from No. 10 Green to get the visitors over the line at 139-8. Leigh Davies took 3-31. Briton Ferry Steel eased to a sevenwicket win at home to Swansea Civil Service, who had been dismissed for 170 despite opener Charlie Porter’s 54 and 31 from Chandan Vatal. Kris Pemberton took 3-29 and Craig Evans 3-21.
Steel opener and skipper Lloyd Clement then hit 95 not out to guide the hosts to 171-3 in 28.3 overs.
Merthyr Tydfil (84-3) beat Margam (82 all out) by seven wickets, while Briton Ferry Town (180 all out; Craig Evans 3-24) won by 53 runs at Pontyberem (126 all out). Rhodri Jones topscored for the Gwendraeth Valley side with 18.
In the other game in division two, Skewen won by three wickets at Landore.
Landore were all out for 166 in 33.5 overs, No. 9 Mark Ace top-scoring with 39 as Steve James took 4-25 and skipper Jordan Jones 4-46.
Openers Callum Davies (27) and Dean Kriescher (20) gave the Skewen reply a solid start, but a flurry of wickets left them struggling until skipper Jones hit 36, and then Huw Davies (23no) and Steve James (20no) ensured there were no further problems as they reached 170-7.
Paul Siberry (2-11 off 10) and Jay Copp (2-32) were the pick of the Landore bowlers.