PONTARDDULAIS were unable to defend their total of 184 for 7 as hosts Newport notched a seven-wicket success in the South Wales Cricket Premier Division One.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, openers Ioan Phillips and Will Small put on 44 for the first wicket, before the latter was dismissed lbw for 25, with 3 boundaries.

Richard Grant was caught cheaply, but Cameron Herring joined opener Phillips in putting on 54 for the third wicket, until Phillips was bowled for 47, including 5 fours.

Herring batted on, but wickets fell at the other end, with Iestyn Rees (14) and Shaun Harries (16) being the only other visiting batsmen to make it into double figures.

With the overs running out, Herring was eventually caught just one run short of his half century on 49, as Pontarddulais finished on 184 for 7 after their 50 overs.

Newport's Josh Waughington did the most damage as he returned 5 for 31 off his nine overs, including top scorers Phillips and Herring when looking well poised.

Pontarddulais' bowlers had early success as Dafydd Davies removed Harry Friend lbw for a duck, and Ed Sivak had Imran Hassan caught by Richard Grant for 6.

From 10 for 2, however, Morgan Bevans and Josh Waughington added 92 for the third wicket, before the latter was caught off the bowling of William Jones for 53.

Bevans (62 not out, with 6 fours) and Mujahid Ilyas (57 not out, with 7 fours and 2 big sixes) steered Newport to victory on 185 for 3, after 41 overs.

* Meanwhile Pontarddulais Seconds won by seven wickets after dismissing Ynystawe for 108 all out in the Premier West Second Division.

Ysystawe won the toss and elected to bat, but only opener Dean Price (36) and Ceri Durke (21) at number four made any real impact with the bat.

Ryan Thomas was their chief tormentor as he returned 5 for 22 in his seven overs, supported by Jac Arrowsmith with 4 for 21 from his 8.4 overs.

In reply, opener Cameron Davies carried his bat for 58 not out, with support from Matthew Williams (21) as Pontarddulais reached 110 for 3 in 28.3 overs.

Pontarddulais Thirds posted a formidable total of 350 for 4 in 40 overs, and went on to secure victory by 149 runs in their match against Gorseinon Thirds.

The top order batsmen destroyed the home bowling attack, with Peter Jones making 59, Joel Beynon 98, Richard Bont 52 and Ieuan Petty 96.

In reply, opener Jac Benson made 22, Steve Davies 17 and Tim Payne top scored with 71, but Gorseinon finished on 201 for 9 after 33.2 overs.

The main wicket-takers were Jack Rees, claiming 4 for 46 from his 8 overs, and Rhys James, who returned 4 for 26 in his 5.2 overs.