SWCA Thomas Carroll Insurance - Division One

Ammanford (166-1) beat Dafen (164-8) by nine wickets

Ammanford continued their hundred per cent record with a straightforward nine-wicket victory at the Park.

Skipper Alun Evans won the toss and invited Dafen to take first knock.

The visitors seemed to settle into a comfortable groove early on as their openers put on 36 before Gareth Thomas removed visiting skipper Matthew Evans for 13.

Fellow opener Nicky Davies scored 36 before becoming the second wicket to fall, but his departure signalled a series of revolving door cameos which broke the back of the Dafen innings.

From 61 for two they fell to 94 for seven, thanks to the accuracy of Matthew Roberts (3-35), Alun Evans (2-42) and Matthew Fisher (2-23).

A rearguard 41 by number nine batsman Chris Hudson, helped with support from Phil George (25), gave Dafen’s score a degree of respectability as they reached 164 for eight in 49 overs.

The tenth wicket stand would only serve to paper over the cracks however as Ammanford slipped into cruise control for a pleasant afternoon in the middle.

The hosts lost opener Matthew Roberts with the score on 23, but thereafter it was all plain sailing as captain fantastic Evans joined Rhys Culley.

Culley hit nine fours in his unbeaten 60 while Evans, looking his usual imperious self, clattered 17 boundaries to reach 88 not out.

Ammanford passed the Dafen total for the loss of just one wicket in 36 overs.

The match was sponsored by Gravelle Plant Hire.

Ammanford now remain four points behind leaders Carmarthen Wanderers, but the two sides have already opened a 20-point gap at the top of Division One.

Next week Ammanford travel to Carmarthen and will be looking to pose the question of whether the Wanderers deserve their spot at the top of the table.