Pont take the points
08-07-10
Nick Washbrook made a classy 96 not out but was unable to prevent Carmel's First XI from slipping to a seven-run defeat away to Pontblyddyn.
After winning the toss Danny Oliver elected to field at Alder Meadow and his decision seemed to have paid off as the skipper (2-15) took two early wickets while Andy Skates and mystery spinner Christopher Davies (1-50) also chipped in to reduce the hosts to 74/4.
The home side's middle order proved more stubborn, however, and the next three wickets went for just over 120 runs as Steve 'Scooter' Jones toiled away on a placid pitch to collect 3-61.
Andy Skates (4-51) mopped up the tail end to finish the pick of the attack as Pontblyddyn were eventually bowled out for 216 with two balls to spare.
Carmel slipped to a 27/3 after Richard Jones (10), Oliver (10) and Will Loveland (4) all fell cheaply at the top of the order as the visitors made a sticky start to their response after the tea interval.
But the ever-dependable Washbrook steadied the innings as he shared partnerships with Mike Williams (11) and Danny Owens (32) to help the score progress to 176/7.
Late call-up Andrew Abraham (10) added valuable runs to the total as he and Washbrook put on 26 for the eighth wicket to give Carmel a glimmer of victory.
Despite Washbrook's heroic efforts the last two batsmen could only make one run between them and Carmel were bowled out for 209 in the 45th over which saw them on the wrong end of a 6-4 points defeat. Full scorecard here...