Ammanford's cricketers continue climb up table (From South Wales Guardian)

Ammanford's cricketers continue climb up table

6:00am Wednesday 30th May 2012 in Sport

Premier League Cricket Ammanford (259-6) drew with Newport (245-9) AMMANFORD continued their climb up the table by getting the better of a thrilling draw against Newport at the Park on Saturday.

Winning the toss, skipper Alun Evans demonstrated his faith in Ammanford’s batsmen by electing to bat.

His faith was rewarded as openers Rhys Davies and Matthew Fisher built a pacy opening stand with Davies (57) being dismissed with Ammanford just two short of a century. His half-century came in just 37 deliveries, and he reached his 50 with a magnificent six.

A further stand of 77 between Fisher and Evans was ended when Fisher was out for 75, having gratefully spent some much needed time in the middle.

Evans was eventually out for 50 as Ammanford reached 212 for 4 with six overs to go.

The run rate was slowing a bit, though George Harvey (16no) and Gareth Slade (8no) injected a much needed final flurry with 25 from the last two overs. This flurry would prove invaluable as thematch wore on as Ammanford closed on 259 for 6.

Newport lost their first wicket to spinner Matthew Roberts with just eight on the board, but a stand of 138 for the second wicket between Gary Wood and Imran Hassan put them, right back in the reckoning.

When Wood was out for 71, Newport stood on 146 for two with only 30 overs played.

Hassan kept up the momentum, and when he was out for a wonderful 113 Newport needed just 25 to win with four overs and four wickets to spare.

A thrilling denouement increased in tension as Ammanford’s fielding, epitomised by Huw Evans with two catches and a run out, kept Newport 15 runs short of their target with only one wicket left. They closed on 245 for 9.

Ammanford’s haul of 18 points took them into fourth place in the Premier League.

Next week they are away to Port Talbot who are 10 points ahead of them in third.

On Sunday they entertain Llangennech in the South Wales Knockout Cup.