PENARTH welcomed table-toppers Swansea to the Athletic Field hoping to avenge the defeat from earlier in the season.

On a warm day, it was Penarth that won the toss and elected to bat on what looked like a good batting wicket. Rhys Morgan (4) was dismissed early but fellow opener James Erasmus and Richard Skone made steady progress before Skone (16) was dismissed with the score on 71. Erasmus (28) went soon after and the home side were suddenly rebuilding again with Tom Sidford and Alex Langrish. Langrish departed for a promising 21, quickly followed by Jamie Hitchen (3) and Sidford continued on his merry way before departing disappointingly for 42.

With the home side only on 150 with the last 10 overs quickly approaching, Penarth had Ali Bukkharri and captain Nick Morgan at the crease. What happened next not only took the visitors by surprise, but the home side too, as the pair both smashed a quickfire 68 to take the score to a substantial 288-6.

In reply, Swansea started shakily, losing two wickets for only nine runs as Sidford and Bukkharri took a wicket each. For the home side, it was a case of restricting the opposition as a tremendous 112 from Swansea’s Stephen Inward got the visitors within touching distance. When Inward was dismissed, the momentum swung back to the home side. Even a few big hits at the end from Daniel Rowe and Dwayne Batchelor couldn’t stop Swansea finishing 19 runs short on 269-5.

With the 2nd XI without a fixture, the next focus was on the 3rd XI as they travelled to Chepstow. Batting first, the visitors could only manage 109, with James Groves (22) and two enormous sixes from Morgan Crimp the main highlights.

In reply, the home side somehow did not chase the total down and fell 8 runs short. Crimp (2-36) again contributing.

The 4th XI continued their good form with a good home win against Sully Spartans. It was the Andy Graveson show throughout as the home side batted first, scoring 176 all out, with the aforementioned Graveson amassing 63, with Steve Newman chipping in with 31.

In reply, the Spartans fell 38 runs short with Graveson again doing most of the damage with 3-25. Captain Andy Prickett took 2-25 and youngster Rhys McGowan with 2-30 bowled the visitors out for 138.

Next week, the 1st XI travel to Aberdare and the 2nd XI are back in action, welcoming Bridgend to the Athletic Field. The thirds are at home to Barry Wanderers and fourths visit Cynon Valley.