Talybont Rachels (207 for 7) lost to Aberaeron (208 for 5) by 5 wkts

Defending champions Aberaeron bounced back from their defeat to Commoners the previous weekend as they recorded an important five-wicket victory over Talybont Rachels in the top of the table clash in the Girasol Homes West Wales Cricket Conference last weekend.

Put into bat by the opposition, Talybont opener Vinod Mathew scored 86 runs in helping his side reach a total of 207 for 7 after 40 overs - but a superb unbeaten 123 by Hywel Rees guided Aberaeron to the winning post for the loss of five wickets.

Mathew had opened the batting with Phil Abraham, who hit two boundaries before he was bowled for 9 by Hywel Rees, who promptly dismissed Dave Barrow in his return of 2 for 46 in 9 overs.

Mathew looked in great form with the bat as he struck 10 fours and 2 sixes, before he was finally bowled by Josh Roper (1 for 40), as he closed in on a century.

Graison John also provided valuable runs as he hit nine boundaries to get within four runs of his half century, only to be run out by John Fice when on 46.

Sojan Varghese went on to make 24, before he was dismissed lbw from the bowling of Sion Lewis (2 for 30), and Talybont made it to 207 for 7 at the end of 40 overs.

In reply, Aberaeron had to overcome the loss of both openers without making an impact, as Fice was bowled by Milton John, and David Grinszpan by Phil Abraham, who bowled tightly to return 1 for 21 from his 9 overs, with 4 maidens.

Dave Floyd and Hywel Rees, however, put the home side on track for victory, with Floyd hitting 5 fours in his knock of 33, before he was bowled by Barrow.

Steffan Rees made 11, before he was bowled by Nijo John, but Hywel Rees proved unbeatable as he proceeded to fire 19 fours and 3 sixes in a hard-hitting 123 not out, to steer Aberaeron home.

Aberaeron passed the winning post on 208 for 5 with an over to spare, after Phil Abraham had caught Alexander Pitchford, from the bowling of Graison John.

Elsewhere in the Girasol Homes West Wales Conference, the Commoners took all the points on offer as they registered a comfortable eight wicket victory on 70 for 2 against visitors Tywyn on Sunday.

Ravi Mander (35 not out) and Bill Somerfield (25) guided the Commoners to their fourth win of the season, which keeps them within striking distance of front runners Aberaeron and Talybont.

Aberystwyth Firsts beat Aber Seconds by 88 runs, after scoring 258 for 5 and then holding the Seconds to 170 for 7.

Anthony Burrell (49) was denied a deserved half-century for Aber when caught one run short, but Ted Trewella continued the run making with 66 not out as did Adam Shaw, with 39 not out.

Batting in light rain throughout, none did better for Aber Seconds than 15 year-old Steffan Davies, who scored 40 runs.