Harris blast proves too hot for old pals (From South Wales Guardian)

Harris blast proves too hot for old pals

6:20am Wednesday 23rd May 2012 in Sport

Cricket Gwalia Cup – Group Five Round Two Ammanford beat St Fagans by 86 runs Ammanford welcomed back two of its former players as they easily dispatched St Fagans from the Welsh Cup on Sunday.

Craig Maloney and Iestyn Davies both made excellent all round contributions to St Fagan’s effort but it was insufficient to keep their team in the cup.

Davies made an immediate impact as he dismissed Matthew Fisher in the first over of the game, but this only served to bring wicket keeper Gareth Slade to the crease, himself ironically a former St Fagans player.

Slade (44) and Matthew Roberts (58) put on a stand of 107 for the second wicket, but matters thereafter deteriorated rapidly with 50 runs coming from a dozen overs at the cost of six wickets.

With the home side at 180 for eight and only five of the 45 overs remaining, St Fagans were looking poised.

So were Iestyn Davies’ bowling figures at that point, but then Jeff Evans joined Rhydian Harris and the latter in particular caused mayhem, largely at Davies’ expense, as he smashed an unbeaten 67 to take Ammanford to 229 for eight.

Davies leaked 27 from his final two overs to ruin his hitherto promising figures.

St Fagans began solidly enough until a direct hit from a Matthew Fisher throw-in ended their opening partnership at 18.

Wickets fell regularly for the visitors, though Craig Maloney showed characteristic resilience, refusing to capitulate to his former colleagues as he reached a stubborn half century.

Opener Chris Lawlor scored 27 at the beginning whilst Iestyn Davies retrieved some respectability with a quick-fire 20 at the end.

St Fagans were all out for 143, and Ammanford take on Merthyr team Hills Plymouth in the next round.