Aberystwyth (206 for 9) lost to Aberaeron (228 for 4) by 22 runs

ABERAERON held off a strong challenge from Aberystwyth to maintain pole position in the Girasol Homes West Wales Cricket Conference with a 22-run win.

Batting first after losing the toss, Aberaeron were struggling at 6 for 2 at one stage, after Sam Jenkinson and Chris Strange were bowled by Tom Williams (2 for 19) without a single run to their name.

Opener John Fice and Hywel Rees hit back strongly, however, as they put on 71 for the third wicket, before Rees was caught by Zaid Khan from bowler Ted Trewella for 35, which included 5 fours. Fice went on to make 57, with 8 boundaries, before he was caught off the bowling of Ioan Morris, which made it 189 for 4.

He had enjoyed a stand of 112 with Steffan Rees, who finished unbeaten on 94 not out, with 9 fours and 4 big sixes, to push the total to 228 for 4 after 40 overs.

Aber’s reply saw some steady run making from Zaid Khan (28), Anthony Burrell (24), Mel Jones (24) and Tom Williams (28), whilst Tred Trewella top scored with 57, including 8 fours and 2 sixes.

The response ended 22 runs short of their mark, however, on 206 for 9 after 40 overs, with Paul Hughes and Josh Roper returning identical bowing figures of 3 for 46, and Steffan Rees (1 for 32) and Sion Lewis (1 for 44) taking late wickets.An 83-run defeat for Talybont at the hands of Tywyn must have been music to the ears of leaders Aberaeron, whose lead at the top of the table is now six points.

Star of the show was Callum Taylor with a quite magnificent century of 131, including 14 fours and a six, in a sizeable total of 263 for 6, whilst fellow opener James Bradbury-Willis chipped in with 30 as they put on 126 for the first wicket.

Morgan Yorke (13), Dan Williams (18 not out) and Ted Hughes (24 not out) added further runs, whilst Graison John took 2 for 23 and Phil Abraham 2 for 31.

The Talybont reply finished well short on 180 for 7, despite decent knocks from Ben Harper (34), Tibbin Joseph (30), Sojan Varghese (30 not out) and Huw Chambers (21 not out). Accurate bowling restricted the chase, Jack Williamson taking 3 for 37, Callum Taylor 2 for 42, Morgan Yorke 1 for 24 and Dave Jenkins 1 for 20.Commoners came out on top by seven wickets in a fine game at Vicarage Fields in their West Wales Conference match against Aberystwyth Seconds.

An excellent innings of 97 by James Breeze helped the visitors to 156 for 7, but Bill Somerfield (55) and Ravi Mander (60) laid the footings for a solid home win.

Having been put in to bat, Aber were indebted to Breeze, who struck 10 boundaries and 4 sixes, before he was brilliantly caught on the boundary just three runs short of a century, with excellent support from Tom Williams (20). Guy Baron took 2 for 14 and Anish Kuriakose 2 for 24.

In reply, openers Somerfield (55) and Wil Proctor (20) laid the foundations, before Mander continued his fine form with a hard-hitting 60, with six fours and 3 sixes, before the target was reached in the 27th over. Titus Mathew had returned 2 for 23 and Peter Evans claimed 1 for 39.