The scrap for survival in the South Wales Cricket Association Division One is hotting up as Llandysul, Merthyr Tydfil and Briton Ferry Steel attempt to avoid the dreaded drop – two of them will go down.
After Llandysul dismissed second-in-the-table Bronwydd for 89 in 44 overs at Cnwc-y-Deri it was little wonder there was optimism in the visitors' camp.
James Cale (22) and Ruairi Willis (11) shared an opening stand of 33 for the homesters but wickets fell at regular intervals and the promotion contenders were restricted to a modest total.
Seamer Mike Turner returned figures of 5-24 in eight overs and Colin Tucker picked up two wickets.
Not for the first time this season classy opener Gary Williams was the batting hero for the relegation-haunted Teifisiders with a fine knock of 58 which included 11 fours before he was caught by Fernando off Tom Gleeson.
Wickets then tumbled with only Ben Edkins (13) at first wicket down reaching double figures and five players failed to trouble the scorer as the visitors were bowled out for 83 in 27 overs and lost by six runs. It left them 26 points from safety with four games remaining.
Gleeson was almost unplayable as he snapped five wickets for six runs in six overs and Meirion Davies had figures of 4-20 in 8.4 overs, two of which were maidens.
Something has to give on Saturday when Briton Ferry Steel host Merthyr Tydfil while Llandysul are at home against sixth-in-the-table Gowerton who won the corresponding game at home by six wickets.
The following weekend is the big one when Merthyr host Llandysul and Steel visit leaders Llanelli.
In the penultimate batch of fixtures Briton Ferry are at home against mid-table Cowbridge, fourth-in-the-table Gorseinon host Merthyr while Llandysul take on Llanelli at Tir-Dref.
If the relegation scrap goes to the wire Llandysul visit Cowbridge, Steel are at Dafen and Merthyr host Bronwydd.
Division One standings: Llanelli 277; Bronwydd 256; Dafen 227; Gorseinon 222; Aberdare 221; Gowerton 219; Cowbridge 208; Merthyr Tydfil 143; Llandysul 117; Briton Ferry Steel 113
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