Briton Ferry Steel (233-9) lost to Llandysul (234-5) by 5 wkts

THERE was plenty of excitement at The Graig as Llandysul chased down a competitive total of 233 for 9 by Briton Ferry Steel to claim victory by five wickets, with just one over to spare in the South Wales Association division one.

Gary Williams (62) and Ieuan Paske (30) put on 100 for the first wicket, before number three Ben Edkins (71 not out) guided the visitors to a thrilling victory.

Llandysul elected to field, but after Evan Haynes was caught by Lleywelyn Hughes from the bowling of Steffan Jones for 4, Craig Evans came in at three and had a decent parnership with Lloyd Clement.

Opener Clement struck 7 fours in his 40, before he was caught by Bleddyn Morgan from the bowling of Arfon Jones, to make it 87 for 2. Jones (2 for 39 from 10 overs) dismissed Steve Maddock lbw for 5, but Jason Hughes joined Craig Evans in a 77-run partnership.

Number three batsman Evans was dismissed lbw by Steffan Jones for a top score of 89, having hit 15 fours and a six to make it 173 for 5. Steffan Jones went on to finish with 4 wickets for 45 from his 10 overs, with two maidens, and Ieuan Paske took 3 for 34 from 10 overs, with two maidens.The 10th wicket partnership, however took the hosts well beyond 200 as Daniel Williams (17 not out) and Rhys Norgrove (12 not out) ensured that Briton Ferry set a challenging total of 233 for 9 after 50 overs.

In reply, Llandysul openers Gary Williams and Ieuan Paske put on three figures for the first wicket, having reached 50 in 12.5 overs, with Williams getting his half century off 72 balls.

The partnership reached 100 in 24.5 overs, when Paske was bowled by Craig Evans for 30, with 4 boundaries, and it became 122 for 2 when Williams was dismissed lbw by Jay Webb for 62, 9 fours.

Webb finished with 4 wickets for 45 off 10 overs, with two maidens, as he removed Bleddyn Morgan lbw for 9, Llewellyn Hughes lbw for 0, and Steffan Jones for 25. Jones’ 80-run partnership with Edkins for the fifth wicket proved to be crucial, before the winning runs were scored in the 49th over.

Edkins’ finished on 71 not out, with 7 fours and 2 sixes, and support was provided by Carwyn Evans, who hit 2 boundaries in his 12 not out as Llandysul claimed victory by five wickets.

• LLANDYSUL Seconds notched a very exciting one wicket success over visitors Skewen Seconds at Tir Dref in their South Wales Cricket Association division five match.

After being asked to bat first, Skewen posted 146 for 8 in their 40 overs, with opener Chris Cook making 32, with 5 fours, and wicketkeeper Paul Williams at three making 53, 2 fours and 2 sixes.

Wickets fell to Craig Gordon (2 for 33), Aled Jones (2 for 20), Dafydd Hatley (1 for 29), Osian Thomas (1 for 23) and Gareth Chapple (1 for 34), along with a run out claimed by Gruffydd Jones.

In reply, Gareth Chapple (38, 7 fours), Meurig Jones (25, 3 fours), Dafydd Jones (14), Daniel Thomas (23, 3 fours and a six) and Dafydd Hatley (14, 2 fours) helped to reach 147 for 9 in 34 overs.