South Wales Cricket Association

Division One

Ammanford (115) beat Skewen (71) by 44 runs.

Ammanford sit second in Division One following a low-scoring win at Skewen on Saturday.

In the absence of Alun Evans, acting captain Matthew Fisher won the toss and bravely sent his men out to bat first.

The decision seemed to backfire when opener Rhys Culley was out with the score on just five.

Fellow opener Rhodri Davies (19) stayed at the wicket, but saw a series of departures at the other end as Ammanford failed to master the Skewen bowling.

With his side faltering badly at 79 for eight, Fisher must have been ruing his decision, but then a ninth wicket stand of 36 between wicketkeeper Gareth Slade and young debutant Sam Jones took them to a slightly more respectable 115 all out in 46 overs.

Slade top-scored with 38 while brothers Rhodri (19) and Rhys Davies (10), and Matthew Roberts (14) were the only others to reach double figures. Skewen bowlers D Thomas and J Lewis achieved identical figures of four for 34.

Skewen’s response began briskly, with 14 coming off the first three overs.

Fisher soon decided on an all-out spin attack, and brought on Matthew Roberts to accompany left-arm veteran Jeff Evans.

Skewen were soon struggling on 28 for two after 19 overs as Evans’ nine overs went for just eight runs, while Roberts picked up three wickets for 23 runs.

It was the skipper, however, who did the real damage.

When he came on to replace the economical but exhausted Evans, he ripped the heart out of the Skewen batting in a blistering spell with figures of six for 17.

Skewen were all out 71 inside 38 overs.

Ammanford are now two points behind Carmarthen Wanderers at the head of the table and three clear of Tata Steel.

Next week they are due to entertain Maesteg Celtic at the Park.