ABERAERON’s hard-hitting batsman Chris Strange was in free-scoring mood as he punished the Aberystwyth Seconds’ bowlers to steer his side to victory by six wickets in the West Wales Conference.

Nathan Burrell (70), Robert Rudge (35) and Zaid Khan (31 not out) got runs for Aber in their total of 179, and the Aberaeron reply was faltering on 29 for 2, before a dominant unbeaten century by ‘hit man’ Strange ensured a convincing victory by six wickets.

With dark clouds encircling the ground, and pessimists having a field day, an excellent match saw Aberaeron keep themselves well placed in the race for the title.

Winning the toss, Aberaeron inserted their hosts on a covered wicket, which had a green tinge, and Aber started well.

Opener Sam Margrave-Jones and Anthony Burrell played some fine shots, but Margrave-Jones was caught by Louis Fice from the bowling of Hywel Rees for 6.

An excellent partnership ensued between Robert Rudge and Burrell, taking the score to 75 by the halfway 20th over.

Batting was not easy as Hywel Rees, Steff Rees and Simon Mitchell used the heavy and humid conditions to keep the batsmen quiet. When Rudge went for 35, when caught by Neil Snowdon from the bowling of Paul Hughes, the 95-run partnership eventually came to an end.

It was 132 for 3 when Burrell went for 70, when caught by Dave Floyd from the bowling of Neil Snowdon, having struck 9 fours and a six in his very sound knock.

Dafydd Rees kept the momentum going, before he was bowled by Hughes for 10, but a flurry of wickets reduced the score to 139 for 7. Zaid Malik, returning from injury, hit a hard-hitting 31 not out, with 5 fours, before Aber were all out for 179.

Paul Hughes finished with 3 for 39 from his 9 overs, and Neil Snowdon 3 for 29 from 7 overs. Steff Rees bowled tightly to return 1 for 28 from 7 overs, with three maidens, Hywel Rees took 1 for 38 from 9 and Simon Mitchell 1 for 35 from 7 overs.

With the wicket having dried out, and the sun beating down, batting looked easier, but opening bowlers Dafydd Rees and Zaid Khan both bowled with pace and accuracy for Aberystwyth Seconds.

Aled Pitchford was the first to go when well caught by Dafydd Elwyn for 12 off bowler Khan, who then removed in form Steff Rees for 2 with a swinging delivery.

Enter Kiwi batsman Chris Strange, who soon got into his stride, with good support from John Fice, who had reached 25 before being bowled by Nathan Burrell.

Strange was now confidently picking up boundaries after a careful start, and was particularly strong through the long on and long off area, peppering the boundary with a fine range of selective hitting.

His excellent innings of 114 not out included 14 boundaries and 7 sixes, before the game ended in the 36th over, with Aberaeron winning the match by six wickets, to turn the tables on Aberystwyth Seconds’ away success earlier in the season.

Zaid Khan finished with 2 for 49 from 9 overs, and there were also wickets for Nathan Burrell and Caleb Spencer.