TALYBONT made the journey to the picturesque ground of Llanvapley and suffered their first defeat of the season being narrowly defeated by just five runs.

Captain Dan Bowen won the toss and asked the home side to bat on a glorious day. 'Bonts new opening bowlers experienced Huw Griffiths and youngster Jack Hooper 1 for 27 on his 'Bont debut wasted little time getting early wickets with hooper bowling Ed Lovett for 3 and Griffiths bowling Rob Kirby for 11, Huw Powell LBW for 3 and Malcolm Breeze for a duck.

With Llanvapley 58 for 4, 'Bont had taken control of the early stages but they couldn't remove Chris Chalk who played a fine innings of 64 before he was caught by an excellent Griffiths catch off the bowling off another 'Bont debutant Jonathan Hooper 1 for 13.

Mike Devoy then entered the attack and he took little time in picking up 3 for 15 off just 5 overs. Griffiths also picking up another wicket as he took 4 for 19 off his 9 overs. 'Bonts other wicket taker was Darrly Blake 1 for 11. Llanvapleys veteran campaigner Richie Harbottle ensured the Llanvapley tale wagged as he ended with what proved to be a crucial 18 not out as Llanvapley ended 127 all out with 'Bont using nine different bowlers.

'Bont's reply got off to a poor start as Blake was bowled in the first over for just 2. Dan Bowen and Nicky Jones then recovered the early loss with both striking boundaries before Jones was bowled for 14 and 'Bont 33 for 2. Mike Devoy then joined Bowen and both looked good before Devoy was caught on the boundary for 9.

Jon Hooper struck one lusty blow for six before he was bowled for 10 and then Llanvapley struck the crucial blow with Bowen caught for a battling 29 and 'Bont on the ropes at 66 for 5. Griffiths then joined Jack Hooper and the pair added 29 with Griffiths striking two sixes before he was out LBW for 21.

Hooper continued to look impressive in defence keeping out everything Llanvapey could bowl at him. With 'Bont at 95 for 6 the game was in the balance but then swung dramatically in the home sides favour as spinner Ed Lovell 5 for 28 ran through the lower order with Geraint James (4), Erryl Cooke (0) and Tom Devoy (4) all dismissed.

With 11 runs needed 'Bont stalwart Colin Griffiths joined Hooper and the last wicket pair looked to be seeing the visitors to victory before Hooper's marathon innings ended as he was bowled for 14 by Lovell and 'Bont ending agonisingly 5 runs short of victory with Griffiths 3 not out. A fine game of cricket played in the rarely used format of timed cricket.