Welsh Cup Ammanford (188-9) beat Panteg (185-8) (From South Wales Guardian)

Welsh Cup Ammanford (188-9) beat Panteg (185-8)

6:40am Wednesday 4th July 2012 in Sport

AMMANFORD travelled to picturesque Panteg in Torfaen on Sunday to play their zone final of the Welsh Cup.

Panteg won the toss and elected to bat.

Ammanford skipper Alun Evans made early inroads with a quick wicket which left Panteg on 23 for one, but a second wicket partnership of 122 between Balouch and skipper Ian Bird put the home side in a strong position.

Evans brought himself back into the attack and picked up two quick wickets in four deliveries.

Bird fell to a spectacular diving catch by Huw Jenkins at long on for 74, and when Balouch went for 59, Evans and Rhydian Harris produced some tight bowling to restrain Panteg to 185 for eight in their 45 overs.

Evans was the pick of the Ammanford bowlers with five for 34, ably supported by Harris with two for 14.

Ammanford lost both openers with just nine on the board, and when Andrew Salter was third out the score was still on just 23.

Matthew Fisher, who had dropped down the order, and Alun Evans put on 47 for the fourth wicket, but when they were out a regular fall of wickets left Ammanford on 98 for seven in 32 overs.

With 88 runs needed from 13 overs and three wickets to spare, Ammanford’s prospects were looking decidedly bleak.

But their tail had other ideas.

Hedd Wyn Jones (11) and Huw Jenkins gave the first scent of a revival with a stand of 51.

When Jenkins was out for a fine 41, Matthew Donohue was joined by Ben Ledger.

They needed 27 from the last four overs but could afford no mistakes as they were the final pair. When it came to the last over, Ammanford needed 11 runs with Donohue facing. He took two from the first delivery before hoisting former Glamorgan bowler Harrison back over his head for 6.

A dot ball and a single left Ben Ledger needing two from two balls but he decided to end matters there and then by pulling the next delivery for four.

The victory ensured Ammanford claimed a place in quarter-finals of the Welsh Cup, where they play Swansea at St Helen’s.

Next Sunday sees Ammanford defending their T20 title at the Swalec Stadium. Their first encounter will be against Cardiff at 10.30am. Also in the round are Pontarddulais and Sully.

A supporters’ coach will leave the pavilion at 9am. Places on the coach must be pre-booked on a list in the pavilion.