ABERYSTWYTH batsman Ted Trewella scored a hard hitting half century to set his side up for a five-wicket win in the West Wales Conference at Dolgellau, after the home side had elected to bat first in damp conditions.

Dolgellau made a decent total of 167 for 4 from their 40 overs, only to see visiting Aberystwyth reach a winning 168 for 5 in 35.5 overs.

Dolgellau’s openers Sion Francis and Sam Williams advanced to 42 in 12 overs before they were parted, with Williams being bowled by Graham Bird, who along with opening bowling partner Tom Williams did good work in the early overs.

There was a partnership of 71 for the second wicket between Francis and Phil Leeds, which spanned 17 overs. When the total was on 113 Leeds was dismissed caught and bowled by slow bowler Pat Daniel, captain.

Leeds had made 29, which had included 4 boundaries.

At the other end Francis was striking the ball well and he got to his 50, and went on to 79, before being caught by Daniel from the spin bowling of Rowan Dunbabin in the 37th over.

Francis struck a six and 10 fours to top score for the home side, in what had been a hard hitting knock.

It was 148 for 3 when Francis was dismissed, he and skipper Greg Smithies adding 35 for the 3rd wicket. Smithies struck 23, with 3 boundaries, until he became the 4th batsman to depart.

He was well caught on the boundary by Tim Bennett, giving Dunbabin a second wicket, to make it 157 for 4.

Richard Rees was on 13 not out and Dave Jenkins 4 not out when the Dolgellau innings closed on 167 for 4.

Dunbabin claimed 2 wickets for 22 from 5 overs, Bird 1 for 31 from 8 overs and Daniel 1 for 37 from 9. Tom Williams, although without a wicket, had an impressive spell of 9 overs for 28 runs.

When Aberystwyth batted they lost a wicket at 18 in the 4th over, with Andi Price unluckily run out for 11 when he was at the non striker’s end. Bowler Phil Leeds deflected the ball on to the stumps from a straight drive by Mel Jones; with Price out of his ground.

The hosts had to wait until the 24th over before taking another wicket, that of Ted Trewella, who made 54 with 2 sixes and 8 fours. Trewella and Jones put on 87 for the second wicket in an excellent alliance for their side.

Smithies’ third ball of his first over accounted for Trewella, caught by Leeds at mid-off for their top score.

It moved on to 122 for 3 when opening batsman Mel Jones was out lbw to Smithies for a patient 37 with 2 fours, in the 30th over.

Zaid Khan and Nat Burrell shared 24 runs to move closer to their target, Burrell bowled by Sam Williams.

Khan struck 3 sixes and a 4 in a pugnacious 31, but he was caught and bowled by Dave Jenkins with Aber just 2 runs away from victory.

Tom Williams included 2 sixes and a four in his 19 not out as he and Caleb Spencer took Aber past the winning post for a 5 wicket success at 168 for 5 in the 36th over.

Smithies bowled well taking 2 for 22 from his 6 overs, Williams having 1 for 39 from 8 overs and Jenkins 1 for 3 from his 5 deliveries.

Dolgellau stuck to their task well and gave the visitors a run for their money, Callum Taylor doing well as keeper, with Niki Williams and Iwan James doing some good work in the field.