LLANELLI kept hold of top spot in Division 1 of the South Wales Cricket Association on Saturday (Aug 14) as they beat Maesteg by five wickets.

Llanelli won the toss and elected to field first at Stradey Park and that proved to be a good decision as Maesteg could only reach 125-9 in their 50 overs.

Andrew King and Lloyd Wilkshire shared 37 runs for Maesteg’s opening partnership but Steven Devonald made the breakthrough as he trapped King leg before on a score of 14.

Wickets continued to fall as Wilkshire was bowled by David Richards on a score of 16 and Ryan Parry was caught and bowled by Iwan Rees.

That left the visitors on 59-3 and Callum Walter and Ashley Colston could only add another 19 runs for the fourth wicket.

Walters had made a score of 20 but he was stumped by Ben Edwards off the bowling of Richards.

Colston followed soon after when he was also stumped by Edwards, this time off the bowling of Rees.

Lloyd Jones was run out by Rhys Westcott and Tristan Sonnekus was caught by Richards off the bowling of Devonald.

Matthew Pearce was also caught by Richards off the bowling of Jac Rees and when Justin Williams-Jones was bowled by Jac Rees for a duck, Maesteg were in danger of being bowled out with the score reading 94-9.

However, Jeremy Lee and Nick Fairman ensured Maesteg would bat out their allotted over to take their side to a total of 125.

Lee finished unbeaten on 25 as he gave his side’s bowlers something they could defend.

Owain Baxter and Iwan Rees shared 29 runs at the start of Llanelli’s reply but Baxter was caught and bowled by Andrew King.

Rees made a score of 33 but he was then trapped leg before by King as Llanelli slipped to 49-2.

Steven Devonald and Rhys Harris then shared 41 runs for the third wicket to edge the home side closer to their target.

That partnership was brought to an end by Tristan Sonnekus who bowled Harris on a score of 21.

Sonnekus also bowled Rhydian Morgan and when Ashley Colston did the same to Matthew Roberts, Llanelli were reduced to 97-5.

Maesteg were unable to take any further wickets though as Devonald finished unbeaten on 37 while Rhys Westcott was not out on 13.

That saw Llanelli to victory inside 37 overs.

On Saturday (Aug 21), Llanelli are away to Skewen while Maesteg are at home to Tata Steel.