AFTER back-to-back victories Llandysul were brought down to earth with a 170-run defeat at the hands of South Wales Cricket Association Division One high-flyers Llanelli.

With six fixtures remaining Darrell Griffiths and co are 42 points clear of the drop zone and need at least one more victory to ease relegation worries.

Electing to bat first on a flat Tir-Dref track Llanelli made good progress with Marcus Leaf (36) and big-hitting Andrew Richards (71) sharing an opening stand of 70.

Skipper Iwan Rees with a well-compiled 56 and Adam Coats (42) kept up the tempo and the visitors reached an imposing total of 262-8 in 50 overs.

The home seamers struggled for control and all conceded heavily before spinner Llew Hughes slowed down the run rate towards the end with figures of 5-32 in nine overs, one of which was a maiden.

In reply Llandysul were tied down by accurate bowling from seamers Vaughan Thomas who picked up five wickets for 29 runs in 15 overs Alan Symmons (3-37).

Gary Williams (15) and Ieuan Paske (11) put on 20 for the first wicket, skipper Darrel Griffiths held the middle order together with an unbeaten 23 and further down the order Adrian Davies made 15 in helping their side secure a second batting point.

As the homesters were dismissed for 92 in 33.1 overs five batsmen were given out lbw.

The Teifisiders face another tough assignment on Saturday when visiting Briton Ferry Steel.

Llandysul Seconds and their Llanelli counterparts drew in a Division Five game at Stradey Park. Llandysul scored 192 for the loss of eight wickets and at the close the homesters were 180-7.