Ammanford CC sank to the bottom of the South Wales Premier One when they lost by 95 runs against Bridgend at the Park on Saturday.
On a sunny day, a hard wicket and a fast outfield, Bridgend won a good toss and were always going to bat first.
Despite the loss of an early wicket, they got off to a good start and at 136 for 3, looked set for a substantial total thanks to a second wicket stand between Sam Wood (30) and Ben Kellaway (76).
Ammanford's bowlers managed to apply the brakes to a certain extent and it looked for a moment that they would hold Bridgend to a manageable target, but some flamboyant end of innings hitting from Thomas Dalton (79no) took their total to a forbidding 268 for 8 after 50 overs.
Saihaj Jaspal (2-40), Alun Evans (2-43) and Callum Croft (2-19) bowled well for the home side.
It was going to take two or three impressive knocks from Ammanford's batsmen to make a contest of this, and not a great deal from the season so far had suggested that this might happen.
A decent enough opening stand of 33 was brought to an abrupt end as Jaspal (14), looking good until then, handed over his wicket tamely.
Alun Evans promoted himself to number 3, and was controversially judged to be lbw without scoring, a decision the Ammanford captain evidently disagreed with.
Rhys-Huw Davies stayed with opener Kurtis Marsh for a stand of 75 which was the only real glimmer of hope in Ammanford's innings.
When Marsh (54) and Davies (42) departed, however, the soft underbelly of Ammanford's tail was exposed and the last 5 wickets fell quickly for just 33 runs.
Bridgend's Ben Kellaway capped a fine all-round performance with 3 for 36.
Ammanford now sit at the foot of the table, one point behind Port Talbot Town in a group of four early relegation candidates which also features Ynystawe and Neath.
Next they face a difficult trip to second placed St Fagans.
Results:
Ammanford (173) lost to Bridgend Town (268-8) by 95 runs;
Cardiff (229-3) beat Ynystawe (226-7) by 7 wkts;
Neath (129) lost to Swansea (239) by 110 runs;
Newport (331-8) beat Port Talbot Town (274-6) by 57 runs;
Pontarddulais (214) lost to St Fagans (264-6) by 50 runs.
Ammanford Seconds lost a high-scoring encounter at Port Talbot Town by 52 runs.
Port Talbot batted first and raced to a mammoth 313 for 6 in 45 overs.
Opener Mark Cox scored an impressive 129, with middle order support from Amit Sharma (62) and Harley Thomas (52).
Jacob Williams and Dafydd Wyn Jones each got a couple of wickets for the visitors.
A tremendous middle order stand of 153 between Benjamin Thomas, who scored an unbeaten 110, and Cellan Allcock (58) was not enough to overtake such a huge total, but Ammanford finished gamely on 261 for 4.
Results:
Cowbridge (143) lost to Dafen Welfare (316-2) by 173 runs;
Gorseinon (230-7) lost to Pontarddulais (231-7) by 3 wkts;
Mumbles (171) beat Carmarthen Wanderers (108) by 63 runs;
Port Talbot Town (313-6) beat Ammanford (261-4) by 52 runs;
Swansea (247-5) lost to Neath (248-6) by 4 wkts;
Ynystawe (255-4) beat Clydach (249-2) by 8 wkts.
Ammanford Thirds lost to visitors Maesteg Celtic by 30 runs at the Rec.
Batting first, most of Celtic's batsmen contributed to a total of 220 for 8 in 40 overs. Joint top scorers with 33 each were opener Joshua Turner and Darren Davies Jr.
George Williams and Paul Hicks took a couple of wickets each for Ammanford.
Ammanford got off to a poor start, both openers out with just 7 on the board, but a middle order retaliation gave them some hope before they ran out of steam and finished on 190 all out.
Jac Davies batted well for his 62 and was supported by Toby Davies (30).
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