Welsh Cup semi-final

Ammanford beat Ynysgerwn

Ammanford tested the cardiac condition of their supporters better than any treadmill as they edged to a two-wicket Welsh Cup victory over Ynysygerwn at the Park on Sunday.

Ynys decided to bat first, but some superb Ammanford bowling and fielding dismissed the Neath valley side for 105 after 37 overs.

Sean Coaker in particular had a very strong opening spell taking four for 22.

Matthew Fisher backed him up with three for 20.

Craig Maloney and Kael Ace took a couple of magnificent catches, and Gareth Slade's slick stumping of Glamorgan's Richard Grant probably changed the course of the match.

On a challenging surface, Ammanford found runs as difficult to come by as had Ynys before them, losing both openers with just 18 on the board.

The first sign of optimism came once again from Alun Evans and Matthew Fisher (17), but the usual collapse saw the crowd looking through its fingers as Ammanford stumbled to 82 for six.

Craig Maloney stayed with his skipper to take Ammanford within sight of victory, but when Evans (41) was caught on the boundary trying to finish the match, the supporters' fingernails had another hammering.

With three to win and two wickets standing, Maloney upped the blood pressure by playing out a strained maiden over, but Kael Ace finished matters to take Ammanford through.

Ammanford will take on the formidable Colwyn Bay in the Welsh Cup final at the Gnoll in Neath next Sunday. Wickets pitched 1pm.