Ammanford Cricket Club’s spiral of misery continued with a feeble 99 run defeat at Cardiff.

With Cardiff electing to bat, Ammanford got off to a good start and after the opening overs had reduced the home side at 19 for 3.

However, they were unable to get rid of the stubborn Umar Malik (83), whose 78 run stand with Harry Bowles (25) proved the mainstay of the Cardiff innings.

Cardiff reached 179 for 8 in their fifty overs, with all 8 wickets falling in one way or another to the Roberts brothers, Daniel and Matthew.

Daniel took 3 for 38 and Matthew 2 for 34, but in addition the two were responsible for the remaining three run outs, Matthew getting two and Daniel one.

On a very decent wicket, Cardiff’s total looked well within reach, but Ammanford’s batting of late has appeared extremely fragile, and their response proved no exception.

Both openers were back in the shed with just 16 on the board.

A short interruption for rain provided no respite, and wickets continued to fall at a depressingly regular rate.

Only Daniel Roberts provided any real resistance being last man out with 42.

He needed one or two of his team-mates to stay with him for what could have been match-saving partnerships, but none were able to do so.

Ammanford crumbled to a disappointing 80 all out.

They are now next to bottom, just 25 points ahead of Clydach who scored a monumental total of 288 to win against Pontarddulais, in strong contrast to Ammanford’s effort.

These two sides will meet next Saturday at Ammanford Park in what will be a dogfight for survival in Division One.

Ammanford can only hope that recent form is not a pointer to the outcome.