A BATTLING batting performance enabled Llandysul to claim a four-wicket away win over fourth in the table Briton Ferry Steel and boosted the Teifisiders’ bid to retain their South Wales Cricket Association Division One status after promotion last term.

Although it has not been determined whether two or three clubs are relegated due to an issue concerning the Premier League, Darrel Griffiths and co are giving it their best shot and a good result against high-flying Dafen at Tir-Dref this Saturday could virtually ensure safety.

Having been put in Steel found difficulty scoring against accurate bowling by young pair Ifan Thomas and Ieuan Paske and home skipper Lee Williams was trapped lbw by the former for 6.

When Lloyd Clement at first wicket down was bowled all over the place by first change bowler Iestyn Evans for 9 the prolific Steve Devonald came to the middle. The visitors couldn’t hide their delight when the dangerous batsman went second ball, brilliantly caught in the covers by the diving Ifan Thomas off Evans.

After seamer Arfon Jones bowled Dai Ball for 1 Steel were struggling on 56 for 4, but experienced opener Jason Hughes got his head down and as the track dried out he scored heavily in a fifth wicket stand of 117 with Kris Pemberton (34).

Hughes went on to make 114 as the homesters posted 204 for 7 off 50 overs.

It was vitally important for the Teifisiders to make a good start against feared opening bowlers Michael Jones and Steve Devonald and this they did thanks to young Paske (22) and Barry Thomas (13) the latter promoted from the second team. The pair put on 28 before Thomas was trapped lbw to a slower ball from Devonald.

Seamer Jones had Tom Harris lbw for 10 and clean bowled Paske, but the visitors could be reasonably satisfied on 86-3 after 30 overs.

Andrew Edwards (41) and Ben Edkins got on top of the change bowlers until Edwards was out lbw to Jay Webb and then skipper Griffiths scored swiftly.

When Devonald returned for his final five overs he had Griffiths caught behind for 15 and in the next over clean bowled wicketkeeper Llyr Morris for 1 to leave Llandysul on 159-6.

Iestyn Evans then calmly saw Llandysul to victory with an unbeaten 22 off 12 balls as he shared in a stand of 45 with the dominant Edkins who remained until the end for a superb 72 as the visitors won for the loss of six wickets.