SWCA Division One

Maesteg Celtic (172) drew with Ammanford (189-5)

Ammanford travelled to Maesteg Celtic and came away with the better of a winning draw which saw their lead at the top of the table reduced slightly but still saw them comfortably clear of the chasing pack.

The visitors lost the toss and found themselves inserted on to a difficult track.

Things started badly and Alun Evans’ men found themselves 18 for two early on.

However, some sensible batting from Mathew Fisher (31), Gareth Slade (26) and Matthew Roberts (27no) combined with ever-present skipper Evans (79no) to ensure Ammanford posted an above par score of 189 for five after 50 overs.

Ammanford’s poor fielding saw them let victory slip through their fingers as numerous catches were either missed or shelled.

The visitors wastefulness in the field gave the hosts hope and at 94 without loss, Celtic were sitting pretty.

But once again, Ammanford’s devastating spin twins put paid to any hopes of a home victory.

The hosts’ top order crumbled as Fisher and Roberts reduced them to 103 for four and Maesteg never really recovered.

They limped on however and reached 172 for nine, with Fisher and Maloney taking two wickets each, and Roberts claiming another fantastic five-wicket haul to take him to 40 league wickets so far this season.

The last over proved the most dramatic of the day as keeper Slade and Roberts combined to take wickets with the fourth and fifth ball, but Celtic’s last man standing kept his head – and wicket – ion tact to see off the final delivery.

The draw saw Ammanford earn 16 points to give them a 31-point cushion at the top of the table with five game reaming as second-placed Carmarthen tied with Ynystawe.

The dangerous Clydach are set to visit The Park next week with Ammanford looking to shore up their lead as the heads of the table.