Newport remain in control of title battle

THE two sides setting the pace at the top of the South Wales Premier Cricket League warmed up for their potential final-day title shootout with convincing weekend wins.

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Leaders Newport proved too strong for Swansea, while St Fagans saw off Ynystawe.

Inform Newport skipper Harry Friend scored a superb century as his side saw off Swansea by 46 runs.

Friend made 109, while Jack Hope-Bell added a blistering 91 as the home side reached 272-7 after winning the toss and choosing to bat first.

Tim Moses took 4-39 for Swansea.

Moses then blasted a quickfire 93 - smacking 10 boundaries and four sixes along the way - as Swansea looked to cause a massive shock, but in the end they were all out for 226.

Salman Saeed took 4-38 and Hope-Bell 4-49.

Swansea were suffering their 15th defeat in 16 matches and were relegated as a result of this defeat.

St Fagans kept alive their hopes of retaining the trophy they lifted last season with a six-wicket win at second-from bottom Ynystawe.

Home captain Nathan Lee scored 52 as Ynystawe were all out for 186. Zac Williams took 4-37.

Openers Steven Reingold (31) and Callum Nicholls (56) gave the visitors the perfect platform to their reply with a partnership of 90, and Williams completed a fine day’s work with a brisk 78 that featured six fours and four sixes as the Stags won with 18 overs to spare.

Pontarddulais kept alive their slim hopes of catching the two pacesetters with a 66-run win at Usk.

Bont batted first and Cameron Herring (56), Mathew Fisher (47) and Iestyn Rees (40 not out) guided them to 260-6.