South Wales Premier Division One

Ammanford (213-3) beat Pontarddulais (212)

AMMANFORD dispatched local rivals Pontarddulais with a consummate seven-wicket victory at the Park on Saturday.

Home captain Alun Evans won the toss and asked the Bont to bat.

They did so with some relish and raced to 54 for one before Matthew Carey (13) was dismissed by Sean Coaker.

Keeper James Hendrickson came in at three and played the anchor role while Paul Rees (46) and Owen Morgan (36) briskly farmed the runs at the other end.

Skipper Evans brought himself on with 20 overs left and his spinners were instrumental in slowing down the Bont’s innings.

He picked up five for 39, while Sean Coaker also bowled very well for his 3-40.

Bont were all out for 212 in the final over, a cool 40 runs short of what Ammanford were expecting to chase following the flying start.

Ammanford’s response got off to a disastrous opening with the loss of in-form Rhys Davies for a single.

Man of the match Alun Evans joined Hedd Jones to steady matters and these two took the score past the half century before Jones was out for 27.

This brought Matthew Fisher in to join his captain and that was curtains for the Bont.

A superb batting display from both home batsmen brought Ammanford to within five of Bont’s total, before Evans (96) was caught behind off his glove trying to hook a six to both win the match and get his ton.

At the other end, Fisher carried his bat for 70, watching while new batsman Rhodri Davies hit a boundary and single to win the match with seven wickets and 15 overs to spare.

The comprehensive victory moves Ammanford up to third place before the visit to Port Talbot next week.