Dafen Welfare (190 for 9) lost to Llandysul (194 for 7) by 7 wkts

LLANDYSUL all-rounder Llewelyn Hughes played a leading role as the Teifisiders notched a three-wicket win at Dafen to move up to joint third in the South Wales Association division one, ahead of their big game with leaders Cowbridge on Saturday.

Hughes claimed 3 wickets for 27 runs in helping to restrict the home batsmen to a total of 190 for 9, and then struck a half century of 54. Llandysul finally reached their target for the loss of seven wickets - with the winning runs being hit on the very last ball of the 50th over.

Having won the toss, Llandysul elected to field, but the hosts steadily scored 50 runs in 14.4 overs, before reaching 100 after 30 overs. Hughes’ three wickets included opener Matthew Evans (29, 4 fours and a six) who was dismissed lbw, George Lavender (18, 3 fours), caught and bowled, and Dave Dufee (17, 3 fours).

Joseph Swift bowled tightly for Llandysul to return 2 for 17 from his 10 overs, including 4 maidens, and a run out to dismiss opener Nick Davies for 11.

There was lower order resistance, however, as Matthew Donohgue struck 5 fours in a valuable knock of 42, with 5 fours, before he was caught by Carwyn Evans from bowler Arfon Jones (2 for 61 from his 10 overs).

Jonathan Randell at eight and Phillip George at nine also made 19 runs each to take the hosts on to 190 for 9 at the end of their 50 overs.

Llandysul’s innings looked to be in trouble as openers Meurig Jones and Gary Williams were dismissed to make it 9 for 2, but Ben Edkins (20, 3 fours and a six) and Bleddyn Morgan (44, 7 fours) kick-started the reply.

Llewelyn Hughes kept the runs coming with his knock of 54, with 7 fours and a six, and with the match finely poised it was left to the eighth wicket partnership to eventually secure the win.

In a dramatic finale, Ieuan Paske (37 not out, with 4 fours and a six) and Joseph Swift (14 not out, 2 fours) scored some great shots to seal victory off the final ball.

The wickets were shared between six bowlers, with Chris Hudson returning 2 for 25 off his seven overs, including top scorers Morgan and Hughes, whilst wicket keeper David Vaughan had held three catches behind.LLANDYSUL Seconds had a setback in their division five title push when going down by five wickets against Drefach Seconds at Tir Dref.

Llandysul were all out for 103, with the bulk of the runs being scored by opener Thomas Harris (28), number three Dafydd Jones (33), and Lewis Jones, at six, who made 25, before he was run out. Andrew Morgan did the damage with figures of 5 for 11 in 7.4 overs, whilst Daniel Jones also claimed 2 for 14.

In reply, Dafydd Jones (20), John Anderson (38) and Phillip Jones (20) helped Drefach to victory for the loss of five wickets. Craig Gordon (2 for 26) and Osian Thomas (2 for 10) took two wickets each.