Last-wicket pair snatch dramatic win to put Ammanford in quarter-finals
AMMANFORD travelled to Panteg in Torfaen on Sunday to play their zone final of the Welsh Cup.
Panteg won the toss and elected to bat.
Ammanford skipper Alun Evans made early inroads with a quick wicket which left Panteg 23-1, but a second-wicket partnership of 122 between Balouch and skipper Ian Bird put the home side in a strong position.
Evans brought himself back into the attack and picked up two wickets in four deliveries.
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Bird fell to a spectacular diving catch by Huw Jenkins at long on for 74, and when Balouch went for 59 Evans and Rhydian Harris produced some tight bowling to restrain Panteg to 185-8 in their 45 overs.
Evans was the pick of the Ammanford bowlers with 5-34, ably supported by Harris with 2-14.
Ammanford lost both openers with just nine on the board, and when Andrew Salter was third out the score was still on just 23.
Matthew Fisher, who had dropped down the order, and Alun Evans put on 47 for the fourth wicket, but when they were out a regular fall of wickets left Ammanford on 98-7 in the 32nd over.
Bleak
With 88 runs needed from 13 overs and three wickets to spare, Ammanford's prospects were looking decidedly bleak.
Their tail had other ideas.
Hedd Wyn Jones (11) and Huw Jenkins gave the first scent of a revival with a stand of 51.
When Jenkins was out for a fine 41, Matthew Donohue was joined by Ben Ledger. They needed 27 from the last four overs but could afford no mistakes as they were the final pair.
When it came to the last over, Ammanford needed 11 runs and Donohue was facing.
He took two from the first delivery before hoisting the bowler back over his head for six.
A dot ball and a single left Ben Ledger needing two from two balls but he decided to end matters there and then by pulling the next delivery for four.
Ammanford are through to the quarter-finals of the Welsh Cup, where they play Swansea at St Helen's.
Next Sunday sees Ammanford defending their T20 title at the Swalec Stadium. Their first encounter will be against Cardiff at 10.30am. Also in the round are Pontarddulais and Sully.
A supporters' coach will leave the pavilion at 9am.
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