TALYBONT came through an enjoyable match in the West Wales Cricket Club Conference as comfortable winners by 46 runs over Aberystwyth Seconds - but this match was by no means one-sided as they defended a total of 197 all out.

Invited to bat, Anish Kurakose and Ben Harper started brightly against openers Jamie Holder and Gwern Penri, before Penri cleaned bowled Anish for 11.

Jamie Holder, swinging the ball profusely had no luck at all and Phil Abraham, attacking as usual, was the chief beneficiary.

The introduction of slow bowlers, Rowan Dunbabin and Martin Llewelyn brought greater success, and some much needed control for the home team.

Harper (24) and Abraham (32) both fell to excellent catches in the deep by Williams and Anthony Burrell respectively, and Llewelyn dumbfounded Joshi.

There followed a period of retrenchment by batsmen Dave Jenkins (22) and Huw Chambers (11) before Aber’s 14-year-old wicket keeper Owen Keyworth took an excellent catch to dismiss Chambers.

Wickets continued to fall, but a last wicket effort by Craig Errington and Tibin Joseph brought a flurry of runs to a total of 197 all out in the 40th over. The best bowling retrurns were by Dunbabin with 3-40; Llewelyn 2-34; Anthony Evans 2-8.

Anthony Burrell started really well against a lively opening attack of Jospeh and Craig Errington and Tom Williams (Bow Street) soon gave a simple catch.

Dunbabin (15) looked to be in excellent form until he provided the Talybont wicket keeper with a catch. Jamie Holder was soon bowled by Abrahams, bringing Robin Varley to the crease, a last minute replacement following late withdrawals.

Batting as carefully as possible, he eventually lost patience, threw his bat at a Simon Lloyd Williams delivery and mis-hit the ball into the air, giving a simple catch that was dropped. Varley had run and Burrell hadn’t. Thus ended in disappointing fashion a good opportunity for Aber as Burrell was run out for a fine 38 runs.

Penri followed two balls later but Anthony Evans joined Varley to renew a batting partnership from over 40 years ago!

For some time, they prospered, but once Varley (28) was stumped from Robin Woodford’s bowling, prospects of a victory for Aberystwyth Seconds diminished.

There was still time for Anthony Evans (24) to play some fine shots and for youngster Tom Williams of Rhydyfelin (15 not out) to enjoy some time in the middle.

Aber ended up well behind when the overs ran out and a well-deserved victory went to the visitors. Best of the bowling - Abraham 3-36; Robin Woodford 3-28.