FACING perhaps their toughest test of the season against East champions Glynneath Miners Welfare, Lampeter produced a comprehensive team performance to secure the Clean Rescue SWCA Division 10 title, writes Arif Saad.

At the toss, captain Ceri Thomas elected to bowl first, backing his strong bowling attack against a Welfare batting line-up that had been dominant all season.

Richard Thomas and Daryl Davies opened the bowling and immediately applied pressure with excellent lines and lengths.

Richard struck in the third over, bowling Chris Newport for 1, before removing David Noall for 2 shortly afterwards.

With the ball swinging and occasionally lifting from the pitch, Lampeter kept Welfare on the back foot. Chris Vermaak fell for 9 before Richard produced another unplayable delivery to bowl Wayne Booth first ball, leaving Welfare 15/4.

Captain Ceri Thomas receives the trophy
Captain Ceri Thomas receives the trophy (Lampeter CC)

Richard completed a superb spell with further wickets to finish with outstanding figures of 5/15, while Daryl maintained the pressure with an economical 0/25.

Tom Gill provided some resistance for Welfare, attacking when opportunities arose, but Carwyn Gregson eventually removed him for a valuable 34. Gregson and Jason Thomas then continued to challenge the middle order, with Jason taking two wickets, including a spectacular return catch.

Captain Chris Harland led the fightback, striking some powerful drives and pulls as Welfare passed 100. Gregson, who finished with 3/40, ended the innings in the final over by bowling Harland for 42, leaving Welfare all out for 128.

Welfare began the chase with plenty of energy and quickly made Lampeter work, reducing them to 2/1 after four overs. However, Ceri Thomas responded brilliantly, taking control of the innings and punishing anything overpitched. He struck two boundaries in an over from Steve Moul and steadily shifted the pressure back onto the bowling side.

Geraint Thomas took his time to settle before joining his captain in an important partnership. The pair ran hard, rotated the strike and found the boundary regularly, taking Lampeter to 78 at drinks. Ceri was unbeaten on 44, with Geraint on 26, leaving 51 required from the final 20 overs.

The partnership continued after the break, with Geraint accelerating and Ceri reaching 46 before chopping onto his own stumps. It was a superb captain’s innings which had absorbed the early pressure and put Lampeter firmly in control.

Geraint then brought up an excellent half-century, continuing to attack the Welfare bowling alongside Jason Thomas and Carwyn Gregson. With only four runs required, Geraint carved the ball through the off side to complete an emphatic seven-wicket victory and secure the Division 10 trophy.

League chairman Neil Hobbs congratulated both teams on successful seasons, with both earning promotion, before presenting Lampeter with the Clean Rescue SWCA Division 10 trophy.

Captain Ceri Thomas awarded Man of the Match to Richard Thomas for his match-winning 5/15, although Geraint's unbeaten 61 was also crucial in completing the chase.

The victory caps a remarkable debut SWCA season for Lampeter and their first as a stand-alone club since their rebirth in 2024.

The secured the Division 10 West title after winning 12 of their 14 games.

With a growing youth section, midweek league and strong support from the town and local businesses, there are plenty of reasons for optimism as the club looks ahead to next season in Division 9.