Cricket

Aberaeron lose 20-20 showdown

Pictured: Phil Leeds put away a winning four to claim victory.

Aberaeron (116) lost to
Dolgellau (118-6) by 4 wkts

DOLGELLAU’s 20/20 West Wales Conference Cup match at Aberaeron on Sunday saw an extremely close encounter, with victory going to the hosts off the penultimate ball of the game.
Captain Phil Leeds struck a four when two would have been enough to see his side over the winning line.
Although shot making was hampered by the long grass on the outfield of the school playing fields, it proved to be an evenly-fought game on the artificial wicket.
Aberaeron were asked to bat first and came out of the blocks well with openers Aled Davies and Hywel Rees putting on 37 before Rees was run out by a David Edwards throw for 18.
Davies and Nathan Bennett then added 22 runs until Davies was caught by Bryn Fogden in the deep off Leeds for a good 24, which included a six and 2 fours
Bennett raced to an excellent 50 striking 5 sixes and 2 fours, falling on that score when caught by Leeds from Gethin Edwards’ bowling.
It was then 103 for 5 with 7 overs left but Aberaeron proceeded to lose those 5 wickets for just 13 runs as slow bowler Edwards did the damage for the second successive day, finishing with 6 for 32 from his allowed 4 overs. Only the first three in the batting order reached double figures as their innings fell away to be all out for 116 in 17 overs.
In support of Edwards’ return of 6 for 32, David Edwards took 1 for 16 from 4 overs, Leeds 1 for 20 from 4 and Ken Evans 1 for 5 from his solitary over. Fogden had a second catch, as did Leeds, while Mark Edmondson also held onto a catch.
In reply, Dolgellau lost a wicket at 10 when John Tuson bowled Edmondson for 6, before Gethin Edwards and Greg Smithies put on 44 in good time. Edwards was caught by Rees for 18, while Smithies top scored on 31 with a six and 3 fours until he too was caught by Rees this time off Paul Hughes. Two needless run outs reduced Dolgellau to 73 for 5 as Hughes, Rees and Simon Newlands bowled well.
Bryn Fogden joined Leeds in the middle and from 91 for 6 took their side to victory with a mixture of sensible batting and some good luck as the fielders failed to take their chances. With 8 needed from the last over for a win it was left to Leeds to strike a four backward of square from the 5th delivery.
Leeds was 23 not out and Fogden 7 not. Hughes had a good economical spell of 2 for 14 from 4 overs, Rees claimed 1 for 16 from his 4 and Tuson finished with 1 for 39 from 4, while Newlands only gave away 13 from his 4 overs bowled.
Dolgellau’s reward is a 20/20 Cup semi-final match at Tregaron on Sunday.