SWCA Division One

Ammanford (228-7) drew with Carmarthen Wanderers (141-9)

Ammanford cemented their status as champions elect of the SWCA first division with a winning draw against third-placed Carmarthen Wanderers at the Park on Saturday.

Winning the toss, Alun Evans decided to bat first.

Despite losing opener Rhys Culley with just four on the board, Ammanford made the most of the first half of their innings with a century stand between Rhys Davies and Evans.

Davies outscored his skipper with some uncompromising batting which produced 11 fours and a six before he was out for 70.

An uncharacteristic failure from Matthew Fisher brought Craig Maloney to the crease and he helped his skipper put on a further 42 before Maloney was out for 21.

Evans was continuing remorselessly towards another century before age caught up with him as he failed to make his ground and was run out for 89 with four overs to go.

By this time, Ammanford had passed the 200 mark and the later batsmen pushed towards a closing total of 228 for seven.

In reply, Carmarthen Wanderers never looked like challenging the target.

Their first wicket fell on 39 after 14 overs, Matthew Roberts taking a dismissal with his first ball.

The third wicket fell with the score on 88, but by then 35 overs had already been bowled and the game had long ago ceased to be a contest.

It was good to see Roberts (five for 22) return to form with another five-for. Fellow spinner Fisher helped him out with two for 46 and there was a run-out each for the Davies brothers, Rhys and Rhodri.

The Wanderers closed on a frustating 141 for nine.

The 21 points for the winning draw put Ammanford 40 points clear at the top of the first division, second placed Tata Steel having been at the wrong end of a draw against Clydach.

With two games remaining – at Gowerton next week and home to Tata for the final match – the Premier Division beckons once again for Ammanford.