CLUB WATCH: Top of the Table Heats Up, St Asaph Win Again, Glamorgan Pathway Star Shines

Glamorgan past and present starring with the bat helped Owen Morgan’s side reduce the deficit to nine points with the spin duo of Morgan and Rhodri Lewis restricting Cardiff to 194 for 9 in their pursuit of 227.

One-sided run chases and keeping it tight at both ends of the table were the showings in the South Wales Premier League this week. Richard Grant and Sam Jardine’s partnership allowed Pontarddulais to chase 230 for no loss against Penarth, the west Wales side continuing their strong form of late.

Newport’s 10-wicket win led by Glamorgan Seconds’ Harry Friend and Imran Hussan after deadly spells from Pakistani seamer Salman Saeed and pathway prospect Jak Cosker was enough for Ammanford missing the injured Jamie McIlroy. And Abergavenny’s crucial third win took them off bottom against Carmarthen Wanderers despite Gareth Thomas’ century in defeat.

In north Wales, Kyle Williams kept his 1000 run season hunt alive in St Asaph’s win despite being overshadowed by centurion William Norman. Bart Ryan-Beswick’s brilliance with the ball wasn’t enough to inspire his Northop side over the line. Jake James had performance of the week with 142 not out to give more breathing space between Gwersyllt Park and the drop zone and Brymbo’s win keeps them in the hunt.

The Panthers extended their lead at the top of the South Wales Women’s Premier League despite their two extra games played thanks to a sensational unbeaten hundred from Glamorgan pathway prospect Elizabeth Cox in a tight chase.

Glamorgan staff performances:

Ben Morris 2/47 (8) for Abergavenny.

Billy Root 25 (35) & 4/27 (10) for Usk.

Andy Gorvin 1/9 (6) & 79 (112) for St Fagans.

Henry Hurle 14 (22) for Cardiff.

Brief round up of scores from the weekend:

South Wales Premier League

Abergavenny 305/6 (M Bevans 59, B Khalsa 57, M Ilyas 49, J Ryan 37, T Pipe 34) beat Carmarthen Wanderers 239 (G Thomas 100, L Byng 58; J Spies 3/38, M Ilyas 3/41) by 66 runs.

Bridgend Town 125/6 (L Humphries 44*, T Cogbill 36; B Root 4/27) beat Usk 122 (A Jones 4/24) by four wickets.

Newport 138/0 (I Hassan 70*, H Friend 50*) beat Ammanford 137 (S Saeed 4/27, J Cosker 4/28) by 10 wickets.

Pontarddulais 230/0 (R Grant 113*, S Jardine 83*) beat Penarth 227/9 (A Singh 71) by 10 wickets.

St Fagans 226/6 (A Gorvin 79, O Morgan 76, R Lewis 33) beat Cardiff 194/9 (S Evison 85; O Morgan 3/28, R Lewis 3/45) by 32 runs.

North Wales Premier League

Brymbo 190/4 (S Aplin 93*, D Vairagi 58; T North 3/28) beat Mold 189 (L Boulton 53; R Deniz 3/17) by six wickets.

Gwersyllt Park 281/5 (J James 142*, T Hooson 32, I de Silva 31) beat Hawarden Park 136 (O Littler 34*; D Jones 5/24) by 145 runs.

Menai Bridge 229/8 (G Roberts 75*, D Holden 62; F Mostert 4/20) beat Bangor 145 (L McCann 41; D Holden 4/29, M Jones 3/11) by 84 runs.

St Asaph 325/9 (W Norman 133, K Williams 76, M Ryan 73*; B Ryan-Beswick 5/65, M Mullarkey 4/58) beat Northop 196 (E Colclough 54, A Poynton 39, B Beaver 36; D Ryan 3/29) by 129 runs.

South Wales Women’s Premier League

The Panthers 245/6 (E Cox 130*; L Bell 3/37) beat Radyr 244/5 (L Clements 89, C Clements 52) by four wickets.

Western Steel 137/7 (A How 39) beat Newport 136 (S Mohammed 47; N Mansel 4/2) by three wickets.