DINAS Powys 1sts visited neighbours Barry Wanderers on Saturday, knowing that a win would virtually guarantee keeping their place in Div 3 next season.

Bottom of the league Wanderers had even more to play for, as defeat would push them close to guaranteed relegation.

Dinas had been fortunate to win an odd, low scoring match between the two earlier in the season, so nothing should have been taken for granted this time.

After winning the toss and batting, Dinas got off to a flying start until Jeff Mitchell was out for 26.

Two more wickets fell before the 2nd drinks break at 30 overs, when Dinas were well placed at 139/3 and looking at a 45 over score in excess of 230. However a tiring Jason Harries fell for 43, while 33 from Curtis Wingren helped Dinas bat their allotted overs, but it took 2 late boundaries from Ollie Coughtrey to secure maximum batting points on 202/9.

Once more Alex Vowles bowled a good opening spell for Dinas, finishing with 2/24 off his 9 overs. Stuart Jones took 1/32 in his 9 overs, but much of the Dinas bowling was erratic, allowing Wanderers to score freely. After 30 overs the scores were almost identical, but a spate of boundaries followed as Wanderers cruised to a 6 wicket victory with 6 overs to spare.

This result kept Dinas in 7th place, while Wanderers moved above Machen, who visit Bryn Y Don next week in what is now a crucial game

After last week's heavy defeat to Monkswood 2nd's, Dinas 2nds endured a thrashing at the hands of Sudbrook at Bryn y Don as they lost by 10 wickets in just 8 overs. After being put in to bat, the villagers found themselves put to the sword by the bowling of Robert Simmonds (6-25) and Rob Thorn (3-18), at one stage being 9-5.

Eventually they posted a score of 58 thanks wholly to a stubborn effort of 24 from Nathan Bennet. the next highest scorer with the bat was Dinas No.8 Rhys Lloyd with 9 as the scorecard had nine players with score of 5 or under.

Unsurprisingly, Sudbrook made light work of the target, reaching an untroubled 60-0 in 8 overs. More surprisingly, Dinas 2's remain 4th from bottom although there's much to play for in the remainder of August.

The 3rds were also on the back of a caning on the Common as they entertained local rivals Sully Spartans. Spartans posted a mammoth 404-2 in their 40 overs with Saeed Ali hitting 106 and Sandeep Shaken 153 not out against a predominantly young and inexperienced side containing two U13's, and two older teenagers trying to make their way in the game.

There was at least a wicket apiece for Will Palmer (1-49) and Alun Harris (1-28) bringing a bowling point. In reply, the Villagers were skittles for 57 with Skipper Gareth Storey top scoring with 18, but he was the only one to make double figures. Despite the heavy loss, kudos to the team that they stuck at their task and the club for getting 3 teams out on a Saturday in the League.

Saturday's League Fixtures

1sts: Home (Bryn y Don 1pm) v Machen CC 1st XI

2nds: Away v Abergavenny CC 2nd XI

3rds: Away v Tredegar CC 1st XI

Also on Sunday Dinas entertain Jayashree CC, a young touring side from Mumbai. This is a regular annual fixture for the Villagers and any support on the Common would be welcome.