Cowbridge (261-7) beat Llandysul (179) by 82 runs

LLANDYSUL were unable to halt the Cowbridge charge to the top of the South Wales Cricket Association division one as they fell 82 runs short of the challenging total of 261 for 7 set by the hosts.

Opener Thomas Merilaht hit a hard hitting century, before he was finally caught by Llewelyn Hughes from the bowling of Andrew Edwards for 104, which included 6 fours and 5 big sixes.

Good support was provided by fellow opener Ben Wright (35), Chris Willey (11), Jack Cropper (61) and Brad Evans (22) as the home batsmen kept runs flowing.

The wicket-takers for the Teifisiders were Llewelyn Hughes (2 for 25), Ieuan Paske (2 for 21) and Andrew Edwards (3 for 48), but chasing 262 to win was a big ask.

Llandysul lost opener Meurig Jones, but Gary Williams (31) and Carwyn Evans (18) provided resistance, before Williams was bowled by Brad Evans and Llewellyn Hughes edged an Evans delivery to wicket-keeper Wright to make the score 40 for 3.

Ieuan Paske made 21, but it was skipper Andrew Edwards who took centre stage as he smashed 9 fours in an excellent knock of 70, before he was finally being caught by Nicholas Wood from the bowling of Samuel Routledge (2 for 28)

Arfon Jones was left on 10 not out when Llandysul were dismissed all out for 179 in the 45th over, with the wickets falling to Evans (3 for 38), Nicholas Wood (3 for 41) and Jack Cropper (2-12).

Llandysul will be hoping to get back to winning ways in division one this Saturday when they entertain Swansea Civil Service.

Llandysul Seconds meanwhile beat Maesteg Seconds by six wickets in the South Wales Cricket Association division six, after they had chased down 132 to win.

• Crymych were all out for 98 in their efforts to chase down Llanrhian Seconds’ total of 248 for 9 in the Pembrokeshire division four.

Russell Watkins (83) and Tom Clarke (52) led the charge for Llanrhian, with Ioan Davies (3 for 32) having success with the ball.

Crymych’s Ioan Davies made 35 in reply, but the Preseli men were all out for 98, with Karl Davies claiming 3-14 in a 150-run defeat.