ABERYSTWYTH travelled to one of the most picturesque grounds on this Fine & Country Conference season’s fixture list, to take on Tywyn at the Marian pitch in Dolgellau, writes Nigel Salmon.

Tywyn won the toss and elected to bat, inviting Aberystwyth, captained by Graham Saunders, to bowl first. On a true, flat surface built for runs, it was immediately clear that the home side intended to dominate with the bat.

Openers Dave Jenkins and Jaco Oosthuizen set about their task in imperious form, with the South African Oosthuizen in particular racing ahead of his opening partner as the momentum built through the first 10 overs.

The breakthrough finally came when Saunders had home captain Dave Jenkins caught for 9 — by which point Oosthuizen had already passed 50.

The dismissal brought the attacking Jay to the crease at number three, and he wasted no time keeping the scoring rate high, forming a threatening partnership alongside Oosthuizen.

With the scoring rate climbing, Saunders turned to Nigel Salmon in search of a breakthrough and some control, while Adi Khare came into the attack from the other end with his left-arm spin.

After a couple of let-offs, Oosthuizen continued to bat with supreme confidence until Salmon tempted him into a false shot with a well-disguised slower ball, superbly caught by Steff Davis on the boundary for 96.

Jay continued to bat positively and aggressively, finding the boundary — and the odd six — before Salmon had him LBW for 31.

From there, Aberystwyth’s bowling attack settled into a tighter rhythm and the run rate dropped away. Joe Williamson and Nicki Williams batted sensibly against the disciplined bowling, with Williamson reaching 19 before being dismissed by Jack Allen. Mick Allen then came in for a rapid cameo of 26, while Nicki Williams carried his bat to finish unbeaten on 49 as Tywyn were bowled out for242.

Aberystwyth’s response began brightly, as is now customary. Steff Davis looked to get on the front foot early but was out for 11, and with Dylan also gone cheaply for just 1, Aberystwyth found themselves 17 for 2 and briefly looking in a spot of trouble.

What followed was a tale of youth and experience combining to turn the match decisively in Aberystwyth’s favour.

Iestyn Roberts, coming in at three, showed a maturity well beyond his 16 years, while Anthony Burrell, at four, brought all the composure of a genuinely mature and experienced player.

Roberts played a stylish, largely chanceless innings — including eight fours — until he fell to the bowling of Dave Jenkins for a well-constructed 50.

At the other end, Burrell played a genuinely vintage innings, taking Aberystwyth to within touching distance of the target with a beautifully constructed 75, including 12 fours.

After a brief stumble — with the next batsman in gone cheaply for just 1 — it fell to Jack Allen to anchor the middle order.T

here was a particularly loud roar around the ground when Jack struck his first six for the club in emphatic style, sending the bowler back over his head.

Jack and Ben Willis then put together a pivotal partnership; when Jack was eventually dismissed for 37, there was still work to do, but with captain Saunders arriving at the crease and Ben Willis playing a calm, measured innings alongside him, the target was reached with an over to spare.