South Wales Cricket Association
Division One
Llandysul 184-8 (8 pts)
Gowerton 188-9 (25pts)
Llandysul were denied a win at Tir Y Dref on Saturday when a dogged Gowerton tail got the visitors out of jail when they were down and almost out at 158-9.
Number ten batsman Luke Main was the hero of the hour as he came to the rescue with a late contribution of 23 runs which proved to be crucial and took his Gowerton team through for a win with two overs to spare.
The hosts won the toss and elected to bat in the hot sunny conditions on a splendid batting strip and openers Gary Williams and Rhidian Harries started confidently before Williams was clean bowled by Chris Mason with unlucky 13 on the board. All rounder Ieuan Paske came in and steadied the ship to take the score past 30 before his stumps were uprooted by Mason and Harries departed ten runs later when he was caught behind by Josh Bradshaw for 22 just as he looked set for a decent score.
However Ben Edkins wrestled the initiative away from Gowerton with a splendid innings of 46 which included five 4’s before he was bowled by Callum Eakins with his team at 110-4.
Carwyn Evans added a few more middle order runs to keep the score ticking over with a contribution of 26 which included a trio of well struck fours, skipper Daryl Griffiths added 14, Daniel Thomas made 14 and wicket keeper Llewellyn pushed things on with a trademark knock of 38 to put his team well on course for a 200 plus total.
The home innings though eventually closed at 184-8 and just short of what skipper Griffiths was hoping for with Luke Main returning to the pavilion with 4-59 and there were two wickets apiece for Mason and Callum Eakins.
Gowerton lost an early wicket when Mason was leg before for eight but fellow opener Adam Wright (43) and number three Bevan Daniels (29) took the score along to 73-2 before a succession of wickets saw the visitors on the brink at 142-7 with all rounder Harries(3-22) and Farooq Shaq(2-45) doing the damage.
The visitors were in deep trouble five overs later at 158-9 after a double strike from seamer Iestyn Evans sent Ceri Evans and Bradshaw back to the changing room and Llandysul looked well on course for a win.
However the Gowerton tail of Luke Main and Rhodri Phillips rode their luck and went for glory and their final wicket stand of 25 very precious runs saw them home for a narrow win and 25 points for their team.
Pic by Julie John.