Aberystwyth batsman Anthony Burrell hit a half century as his side beat Commoners by four wickets in the Girasol Homes West Wales Cricket Conference, with a successful reply of 179 for 6.

Rakesh Bhatia (79) and Jacob Hughes-Pickering (56) both hit half centuries for Commoners, but Patrick Daniel and Nigel Salmon took three wickets each, before Zaid Khan (45) and Burrell (56) put Aber on track for victory at the Geufron.

Despite heavy rain over the previous 24 hours, the game started on time and, invited to bat by Aber skipper Ted Trewella, the Commoners made a bright start. Bhatia was particularly quick to punish any loose deliveries as he and Bill Somerfield made 63 for the first wicket, when Daniel bowled the latter for 14.

Rakesh continued to dominate, although Daniel helped to gain some control for the home team, dismissing Guy Baron and then, thanks to a catch on the boundary by Sion Meredith, he claimed the important wicket of Rakesh for 79. Rakesh, one of the most talented batsmen in the area, hit 11 fours and 2 sixes.

While Rakesh dominated the first half of the innings, it was Jacob Hughes-Pickering who held the second half together. With little support from the remaining batsmen, Hughes-Pickering played intelligently, taking every opportunity to score, including 5 fours and a big six.

The innings closed on 178, with Hughes-Pickering left stranded on 56 not out. Daniel (3 for 33) and Nigel Salmon (3 for 45) were the main wicket takers for Aber, though Trewella should be credited with an economical spell of 9 overs in the middle of the innings (1 for 30).

Commoners, with depleted numbers, made a dramatic start to their defence by dismissing Pat Daniel with the third ball of the innings, when he was caught by Arshad Sher, off Ian Lawton’s bowling.

Anthony Burrell and Zaid Khan, however, attacked with every opportunity and provided a solid base for the chase. Khan was eventually caught by Sher, from the bowling of Guy Baron, for 45 (having struck 6 fours and a six) at 88.

There followed another good stand between Burrell and Meredith, who took the score to 116 at the half-way point. A misunderstanding, however, led to Burrell being run out by Hughes-Pickering for an excellent 56 (5 fours and a six).

Nigel Salmon soon fell lbw to Rakesh Bhatia, but Meredith and Owen Keyworth continued to attack a fielding side hampered by injuries to two fielders.

Owen Keyworth hit two big sixes before being bowled by Lawton for 17, but Meredith (28) took Aber to the brink of victory, before he was caught by Guy Baron from the bowling of Arshad Sher.

Trewella (18 not out) soon saw Aber to their target of 179 for the loss of six wickets in total to Lawton (2 for 51), Sher (1 fo 41), Baron (1 for 35) and Bhatia (1 for 19).Girasol Homes West Wales Cricket Conference results: Talybont (150) lost to Aberystwyth II (152-1) by 9 wkts; Tywyn & District (123-7) lost to Aberaeron (125-2) by 8 wkts; Aberystwyth (179-6) beat UWA Commoners (178) by 4 wkts. Fixtures: Saturday: Aberaeron v Commoners; Aberystwyth v Talybont. Sunday: Tywyn v Aberystwyth Seconds.