DIGGING deep and grinding out a two-wicket win in a South Wales Cricket Association Division One relegation game against Swansea Civil Service sent Llandysul 42 points clear of the drop zone.

With seven games remaining, including a tough final day away encounter with champions-elect Clydach the Teifisiders are on course to retain their status after promotion last term.

A fourth win from eleven starts was anything but straightforward for the homesters who were indebted to skipper Darrell Griffiths at number five and bowler Andrew Edwards who wielded the willow in a thrilling victory.

Having first use of a flat Tir-Dref strip Swansea lost Damian Hardman early on and were 17-2 when Llewellyn Hughes caught Steve Porter off Andre Edwards.

But opener Damian Devonald got his head down in making 52 with seven fours and was given good support from Gregory Thomas (31) at number four and Evan Davies who made 28 before being bowled by Farooq Shah.

Further down the order Mathew Griffiths (18) and Ben Novis (19) made valuable contributions and the visitors were all out for 185 in the penultimate over.

Seamer Iestyn Evans returned figures of 4-41 in nine overs including a maiden while Andrew Edwards and Arfon Jones snapped two wickets apiece.

In the home reply opener Barry Thomas made 32 but wickets fell and it was left to skipper Darrel Griffiths in the middle order to shore up the innings with an unbeaten 42 which included four boundaries and Andrew Edwards at number hit eight boundaries in an innings of 50 before being caught by Andrew Vye off Ben Novis.

At the end Griffiths and Adrian Davies saw Llandysul home for the loss of eight wickets.

Seamer Mathew Griffiths was best of the Swansea bowlers with figures of 5-39 off 15 overs.

Llandysul face a tough task this Saturday when second in the table Llanelli are the visitors.