Ammanford win cup tie at the death (From South Wales Guardian)

Ammanford win cup tie at the death

9:20am Wednesday 20th June 2012 in Sport

South Wales Knockout Cup

Ammanford beat Llangennech by three wickets

AFTER the cancellation of Saturday’s Premier League match, Ammanford proceeded on Sunday to the next round of the South Wales Knockout Cup, when they beat Llangennech off the last ball of the match.

The tie was reduced to 22 overs because the Llangennech pitch was taking a while to dry out after the weekend rain, due to its proximity to the Loughor estuary.

Ammanford skipper Alun Evans won the toss and invited Llangennech to bat.

Opening bowler Matthew Donoghue made swift inroads with three quick wickets, leaving the home side rattled on 39-4 in eight overs.

A stand of 35 between Leighton Davies (34) and TomCarey (23) helped them considerably before Carey was needlessly run out with four overs to go, and Llangennech finished on 97-8, not a bad score given the testing conditions.

For Ammanford, the Matthews Donoghue and Roberts bagged three wickets each.

Ammanford’s reply began promisingly with openers Matthew Fisher and Huw Jenkins putting on 42 for the first wicket which fell when Fisher (18) was out in the ninth over.

When Jenkins (25) followed him six overs later with the score on 70, it signalled a spectacular collapse for Ammanford as they lost four wickets in just two overs, mainly thanks to the bowling of Atif Hameed, whose three wickets included two in consecutive deliveries.

Matthew Roberts (eight) stabilised matters briefly, and broughtAmmanford back within striking distance of Llan’s total. A thrilling final over left Alun Evans and Ben Ledger needing a single from the last ball to win the match, which Ledger duly provided, Ammanford finishing on 98-7.

In the next round of the competition, Ammanford will play host to Mumbles, who by coincidence are also their visitors in the Premier League next Saturday.