South Wales Premier League Cricket Newport (243-5) drew with Ammanford (244-6) (From South Wales Guardian)

South Wales Premier League Cricket Newport (243-5) drew with Ammanford (244-6)

1:00pm Thursday 2nd August 2012 in Sport

AMMANFORD remained in second place in the South Wales Premier League after a thrilling winning draw at Newport on Saturday.

Winning the toss for only the second time this season, skipper Alun Evans placed his confidence very firmly in his batsmen as he elected to take first knock.

His confidence seemed seriously misplaced with both openers falling within eight overs as Ammanford tumbled to 34 for two in eight overs.

Andrew Salter joined his captain and matters were steadied as this pair put on 59 for the third wicket.

When Evans, very much the dominant partner in these early stages, was out for 51 in 25 overs, Matthew Roberts (31) kept the momentum going, staying with Salter for a further stand of 58 in 11 overs.

With eight overs to go, Ammanford were 176 for six, when keeper Gareth Slade (16no) joined the indefatigable Salter to add an unbroken 68 which took Ammanford to an eminently defendable 244 for six.

Salter played an admirably unbeaten anchor innings of 112.

Newport began ominously with a half century opening stand.

When Matt Donohue bowled Gary Wood for 21, Imran Hassan (31) joined Michael Clayton for a second wicket stand of 75.

A further 75 stand between Clayton and Nathan Millichamp took Newport to well within striking distance at 202 for three with six overs to go, but defiant Ammanford bowling and fielding left Newport needing 11 for victory from the final over.

They managed nine.

Ammanford harvested 15 points to ensure they kept a grip on second place, seven points behind Sully and eight ahead of Mumbles in third.

Next Saturday, Ammanford entertain the daffodil-studded Port Talbot at the Park.