Ammanford crowned champions (From South Wales Guardian)

Ammanford crowned champions

8:00am Wednesday 29th August 2012 in Sport

Welsh Premier League Cricket

Mumbles (115) Ammanford (116-2)

AMMANFORD were crowned champions of the South Wales Premier League after a tremendous eight-wicket victory at Mumbles, in Saturday’s final and climactic match of the season.

They went into this match just ten points ahead of second-placed Mumbles, but ended up emphatic champions.

Ammanford skipper Alun Evans won the toss and invited Mumbles to bat. The home side got off to a terrific start, reaching 98 for the loss of just three wickets. But once again, the introduction of the spinners turned matters around in the most dramatic fashion, asMumbles collapsed dramatically, losing the next four wickets for one run.

Glamorgan’s Dean Cosker, making only his second appearance of the season for Ammanford, took three wickets for just nine runs, while left-arm Matthew Fisher took three for 14. Andrew Salter was in good supporting form with a further couple for 26.

Mumbles were all out for a remarkable 115, having lost their last seven wickets for just 17 runs.

Glamorgan’s David Brown (32) and Graham Wagg (29), together with Daniel Roberts (20) were the only run-getters for the Seasiders.

Ammanford’s response began well, before they lost Matthew Roberts (19) with the score on 29.

Skipper Alun Evans joined opener Rhydian Harris and these two put on a match-defining half century for the second wicket, before Harris was dismissed for a patient 28.

With ten overs remaining, Andrew Salter joined his captain and was content to play a supporting role in the cauldron of pressure that Mumbles were building.

The pair stayed together to take the new Premier League champions sailing past the Mumbles total, Alun Evans capping a quite magnificent season with an unbeaten 49.

Ammanford become the first team from the west to win the prestigious Premier League title, wresting it from the grasp of previous eastern winners Sully and Cardiff.

The Premier League, set up at the behest of Glamorgan CCC, is the best league in Wales, which means Ammanford Cricket Club are, in 2012, the best league team in Wales.