SOUTH WALES ASSOCIATION

BRONWYDD continued their impressive start to the season in Division One of the South Wales Cricket Association with a five-wicket victory over Gowerton.

Gowerton won the toss and chose to bat with Bevan Daniels top scoring with 29 before they were bowled out on 120, courtesy of a fine display from Gehan Fernando who bagged 5-13.

And leaders Bronwydd made light work of the chase with George Gleeson scoring 48 to help them win with 121-5.

They also managed to extend their lead at the top as Aberdare slipped down the table following a surprise six-wicket defeat to Dafen Welfare.

Having won the toss, Aberdare opted to bat with Luke Garthwaite hitting 31 and Steve Manning adding a further 26 before they were skittled out on 161, with Matthew Donoghue taking three wickets.

But Dafen’s batsmen were focused with Matthew Evans (43), Jamie Mansel (40no), Jonathan Randall (36no) and David Williams (30) all securing solid scores to help last year’s Division One runners-up Dafen win on 162-4.

Cowbridge then took advantage of Aberdare’s defeat to move second with a nine-wicket victory over Briton Ferry Steel. Ferry made 170-8 but Thomas Merilaht was in red-hot form as Cowbridge began to chase, hitting an unbeaten 86 and theyclaimed victory on 171-1.

Elsewhere, Llanelli (47-2) beat basement boys Llandysul (46) by eight wickets. BANGOR’S rich vein of form in the North Wales Premier League continued with a business-like seven-wicket defeat of Hawarden Park at the Ty Newydd Ground yesterday.

Choosing to bat Hawarden were sent back quickly, only managing 82 runs. Gareth Edwards was outstanding for Bangor with figures of 5-9, Campbell Marr backing him up with 3-34. Despite losing two early wickets, Bangor ran out easy winners reaching 85-3.

The result means it’s tight at the top of the Premier with just a single point between second-placed Bangor and Menai Bridge, who remain unbeaten after a nine-wicket victory at Mochdre.

The hosts, who elected to bat, were skittled out for a mere 111 runs by the Bridge’s bowlers who were in fine form, Gerallt Roberts the pick return- ing figures of 3-26.

The Bridge reached their target with ease finishing on 114 for the loss of only one wicket, captain Dion Holden recording his third half century of the season with 66 not out.

Current champions Llandudno faced Brymbo in a knife-edge finish at the Oval, the Seasiders finally coming out on top by a solitary run.

Batting first Llandudno set a target of 197. In reply Brymbo came tantalisingly close finishing on 196-7. V IRAT Kohli’s knack of dealing with the expectations of 600 million cricket-crazy India supporters will be put to the test as never before in the Champions Trophy final against Pakistan.

A global broadcast audience of more than half-a-billion is being projected for today’s showdown between two of the sport’s fiercest rivals.

Kohli will be cast centre stage as India captain in front of a mere 24,500 sell-out crowd at The Oval, and his primary task will be to keep his composure at the crease and in the field as the overwhelming favourites bid to retain their title.

At the age of 28, his stellar career to date has made him an expert at setting aside the scrutiny and pressure - to the tune of 27 one-day international hundreds and counting, for example.

It is quite a feat, and one which has had to be learned and honed.

“You can’t think of those things when you step on to the field,” said Kohli.

“I know there are expectations, I know there are people that expect the team and me to do well every time we play. But I understand as a player and as a person that it’s not possible.”

Instead, his personal method is to visualise success and have faith in his and his team’s ability, but not to believe in miracles.

“You have to be close to reality,” said Kohli. “This is a part of being an Indian cricketer, you have to find a way to deal with it. “You can’t ignore it. “You have to maintain a balance and then focus on what you need to do on the field.

“I think I’ve been able to strike a good balance until now and I’m sure I’ll be fine tomorrow.”

Off the pitch, he cites a selective approach to Twitter et al as a handy tactic too.

“The biggest thing is to stay off so- cial media,” said the India captain.

“It sounds funny, but honestly it’s so important to stay away from those things – to connect to things that matter, the things that a sportsman needs to take care of.

“If you’re too distracted listening to too many suggestions or players or criticism, then you can’t focus on what you need to think as a sportsman first to be able to lead the team and then help the others in the team as well.

“The more relaxed you stay in these situations it’s a good thing, because it helps you take better decisions when you are composed and calm mentally.

“On their day Pakistan can beat any side in the world.

That’s the kind of players they have, we’re quite aware of that.”