LLANDYSUL slipped to a heavy nine-wicket defeat away at Briton Ferry Steel in the South Wales Cricket Association division one, despite another superb innings from opener Rhidian Harris, who made 73.

Harris, who had hit 82 against Maesteg Celtic the previous week, carried on in the same rich vein of form as he tucked away nine boundaries before being run out in Llandysul’s total of 161 for 6.

Opening partner Meurig Jones was caught by Rhys Norgrove off the bowling of Dan Williams for 6, with the score on 17, and Tom Harries followed him back to the pavilion soon afterwards when he edged a drive straight into the gloves of wicket keeper Andrew Barrett, again from bowler Williams for 3, to make it 26 for 2.

Ieuan Paske was next to go for nought, also caught by Barnett from the bowling of Williams, after only facing four balls .

At 26-3 Llandysul faced a long struggle, especially as they were missing a few regulars against a side flying high near the top of the division, but captain Darrel Griffiths knuckled down and led by example as he shared in a stand of 74 with opener Harris to take his team to 100-4.

Griffiths was finally bowled by Daryl Phillips for 31, but in came Carwyn Evans and too he chipped in with 28 in a 56-run partnership, before Harris was run out.

Evans was bowled by Steve Devonald for 28, and after the 50 overs the total of 161 for 6 looked short of a winning score.

Williams had the most success in taking 3 wickets for 31 from 10 overs, as well as a run out, with Phillips returning 1 for 44 and Devonald 1 for 25, with 3 maidens.

The Steelmen then made light work of the job in hand, despite losing an early wicket when opener Lee Rhys Williams was clean bowled for 1 by Arfon Jones.

Opener Gareth Davies and number three Craig Evans proved unbeatable as the two of them managed to steer their team to a solid nine-wicket with 20 overs in hand.

Davies finished on 69 not out, and his innings included 2 sixes and 7 fours, whilst his partner Evans just missed out on a ton as struck 16 fours on his way to 91 not out.

• Llandysul Seconds also slumped to a heavy defeat after being put in to bat. The hosts could only muster 108 all out, and in reply Briton Ferry Steel Reserves knocked off the runs without losing a single wicket tp register an emphatic 10-wicket win.