LLANDYSUL were narrowly denied a victory in the South Wales Cricket Association division one at Tir y Dref when a dogged Gowerton tail got the visitors out of jail after they had looked down and out at 158 for 9, and chasing a target of 185 for victory.

A late contribution of 23 not out by No 10 Luke Main proved crucial as his Gowerton team secured victory by one wicket in the 47th over with two overs to spare.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat first in sunny conditions and on a splendid batting strip - and openers Gary Williams and Rhidian Harries made a confident start.

Williams was bowled by Chris Mason, with an unlucky 13 on the board, but all-rounder Ieuan Paske (8) came in and took the score past 30, before his stumps were uprooted by Mason. Harries departed 10 runs later when he was caught behind by Josh Bradshaw for 22, just as he looked well set.

Ben Edkins then wrestled the initiative away from Gowerton with a splendid knock of 46, including 5 fours and a six, before he was bowled by Callum Eakins to make it 11 for 4.

Carwyn Evans weighed in with 26, which included a trio of well struck fours, before he was caught by Adam Wright from the bowling of Eakins.

Skipper Darrell Griffiths added 14 runs, before being dismissed lbw from Luke Main, who then also had Iestyn Evans caught by Chris Mason, and bowled Daniel Thomas for 14.

Wicket-keeper Llewellyn pushed things on with an unbeaten knock of 38, including 4 fours, but the innings fell short of 200 plus total at 184 for 8.

Main took 4 for 59 from his 10 overs, and there were two wickets apiece for Mason, 2 for 14 off 10, with 4 maiden overs, and Callum Eakins 2 for 31.

In reply, Gowerton lost the wicket of opener Matthew Mason (8), lbw off the bowling of Arfon Jones, on 22.

Fellow opener Adam Wright and number three Bevan Daniels however took the score along to 73, before Daniels (29) was caught by Dan Thomas off a Farooq Shah delivey.

With the score on 83, Mike Ferguson (6) was dismissed lbw off Rhidian Harries, and it became 109 for 4 when Wright went lbw for 43, including 6 fours, off the bowling of Harries.

Chris Mason (22) kept the scoreboard moving along to 142 for 6, before he was bowled by Paske, but a series of catches saw the visitors on the brink at 158-9, and Llandysul were looking well on course for a win.

The final pairing of Luke Main (23 not out) and Rhodri Phillips (8 not out), however, went for glory and an unbeaten stand of 25 sealed victory.

For Llandysul, Harries took 3 for 22, Shah 2 for 45 off 10, Iestyn Evans 2 for 30, Jones, 1 for 35 and Paske 1 for 25.