ABERAERON threw a spanner into the works as far as the race for the West Wales Cricket Conference title is concerned, when defeating defending champions Aberystwyth by some 21 runs at the Geufron last weekend.

Batting first after winning the toss, Aberaeron had set a challenging target of 192, with the bulk of the visitors' runs coming from John Fice (38), Steffan Rees (44) and Chris Strange (57).

The Aberystwyth reply was in trouble as 44 for 6, and although Sam Margrave-Jones (66) and Harry Edwards (46) made a go of it, Hywel Rees (5 for 20), Steffan Rees (2 for 26) and Paul Hughes (2 for 49) ensured the hosts were all out for 171.

A wet morning had left a wet out-field at the Geufron, but thanks to the covers the wicket remained dry, and although reduced to 37 overs, the game could get under way, following a short delay.

And so given the choice by winning the toss, the visiting team opted to bat first.

The game was played with an experimental pink ball, and Harri Edwards, opening the bowling, worked up a good pace to take the first wicket of Alex Pitchford with a lifting ball, with Sam Margrave-Jones taking an excellent diving catch at square leg to dismiss the opener.

Steffan Rees joined John Fice and the two put on 74 runs, until Rees was caught behind off Graham Bird’s bowling after having scored 44, including 7 boundaries.

Fice then shared another good partnership with Strange, until Bird removed him lbw for 38, making the score 112 for 3.

Two wickets for Gareth Lewis, a sharp stumping by Robert Rudge to dismiss Strange for 57, and bowling Dave Floyd for 16, started Aberaeron’s collapse.

Andi Price took 3 wickets in 4 balls, as Aberaeron went from 181 for 4 to 192 all out, when Paul Hughes was run out on the final ball of the innings. This, however, still seemed a pretty reasonable total by the visitors considering the conditions.

Graham Bird had the best bowling figures, with 3 for 29 off 7 overs, with Gari Lews 2 for 20 off 6, Andi Price 3 for 41 off 6, and Harri Edwards 1 for 19 from 6.

As the sun came out, Hywel Rees’ decision to bowl second looked to be a good one, as the bowlers seemed to be having no trouble gripping the ball, and they were able to get the pink ball swinging.

Steff Rees, bowling with a brisk pace, was rewarded early on with the wicket of opening batsman Anthony Burrell, thanks to a great low slip catch by Strange.

Four wickets in quick succession for Hywel Rees - with Mel Jones caught by Steff Rees, Andi Price and Robert Rudge bowled, and Ceri John lbw - saw Aberaeron right on top with the score on 17 for 5.

Meanwhile Steff Rees and Simon Mitchell were both producing very impressive spells of fast bowling at the other end.

Gareth Lewis (15), batting with Margrave-Jones, did put up some resistance - until he became Rees’ fifth victim.

Aber captain Edwards joined Margrave-Jones and took the fight back for the home team. Both batsmen scored quickly to bring the required rate back below a run per ball, and their partnership of 100 runs looked like it could win the game.

It was broken, however, with the score on 144 for 7, when Paul Hughes bowled Margrave-Jones for 66, with 10 fours.

When Steff Rees returned to dismiss Edwards for 46, to a great catch at mid-wicket by Mitchell - having stuck 3 fours and 4 sixes in his knock - the advantage seemed to be turning back to Aberaeron.

The late order put up some good resistance, but the match was ended by Hughes claiming lbw to dismiss Caleb Spencer for 9 at one end, and then effecting a run out of Graham Bird for 8 at the other.

Aberystwyth finished on 171, with Jamie Holder 9 not out. Aberaeron captain Hywel Rees finished with the very impressive bowling figures of 5 for 20 from 8 overs, whilst Steff Rees took 2 for 26 from 8, and Paul Hughes, 2 for 49 from 7.