Comprehensive win (From Barry And District News)

Comprehensive win

ALTHOUGH last weekend was a disappointment for Centurions 1st XI with the game at Hoover falling foul of the weather, the 2nd XI were able to complete their game at Sully thanks to the excellent new covers and the efforts of the ground staff, and gained a comprehensive victory over Malpas.

Centurions skipper Ian Thickpenny won the toss and elected to bowl on a Sully wicket which was rock hard. The visitors started very slowly against some very accurate bowling by John Gee and Ian Thickpenny and when they tried to accelerate Kinman hit a thunderbolt drive to Dave Sylvester who took a fine, hard stinging catch off the bowling of Gee.

Gee completed his fine spell by bowling Simmons in his last over, returning 2 for 26 off 14 overs. Runs were still coming slowly although Malpas were not losing wickets, and they were aided by somewhat wayward bowling. As the extras mounted up, Miller ran out Griffiths for 9 with a smart piece of fielding with the score on 97.

Thickpenny had the dangerous Hughes well caught by Craig Thomas, making his Centurions debut, for 31, then Smith who was bowling with much better control, had R Jones caught by skipper Thickpenny for 20.

Thickpenny bowled D Jones for 11, but Centurions bowlers were not as penetrative as they had hoped as Malpas needed 139 for 6 at the end of their 45 overs, 26 runs coming in extras - an area which needs to be vastly improved upon.

Centurions, in reply, got off to an excellent start as 71 invaluable runs were compiled by openers Don Sylvester and Herbie Miller before Sylvester was lbw to Kinman for 29.

Thickpenny was in a hurry as work was imminent and a quick fire 16 took the score to 96. Centurions were well on top now and runs were flowing. Sam Davies scored an excellent 30 and although Miller was out for just 14 runs short of victory for a dogged 34, Centurions got home comfortably in the 35th over for the loss of just three wickets.

Malpas: 136 for 6. Hughes 31, N Kinman 21, R Jones 20. J Gee 2 for 26, I Thickpenny 2 for 46.

Centurions: 140 for 3. J Miller 34, S Davies 30 no, D P Sylvester 29.

On Sunday there was a hastily arranged friendly against Barry Wanderers at Sully. As on the previous day, home skipper Dave Sylvester put the visitors in. Although losing a wicket at 19, Ford bowled by Galliford for 4, Richards and Jones took the score to 77 as the young Centurions lacked concentration with some erratic bowling.

James was bowled by 3rd XI skipper Mick Fisher for 31. Jonathan Ord, in between a collection of wides, claimed two wickets and young Gareth Sullivan, playing his first senior game, also claimed two wickets. Gerry Richards with 39, Fenton 24 no, and 59 extras saw Wanderers reach 184 for 8.

Centurions lost the early wicket of Mike Lewis for 9 and Caton for 1. White and Dave Sylvester added 45 runs for the third wicket before White played a careless shot and was caught for 12.

Sylvester continued on his merry way, losing Salvidge at 99, but passing his first half century of the season before he was somewhat dismayed to be given out caught at the wicket for a fine 51. Centurions lost three further wickets as they reached 136 for 8, Galliford not out 16, when rain ended a pleasant afternoon's cricket allowing both clubs to give a lot of people a game of cricket.

Barry Wanderers: 184 for 8. G Richards 39, G Jones 31, A Fenton 24no. G Sullivan 2 for 20, J Ord 2 for 24.

Centurions: 136 for 8. D W Sylvester 136 for 8. D W Sylvester 51, R Galliford 16 no. N Patel 2 for 11, P Weekes 2 for 26.

Saturday, 1st X1 v Bridgend, 11.45am: J Sylvester, R Sylvester, M Hodges, D Eskins, L O Connor, J Langworthy, T Williams, A Davies, A Gleeve, N Gage, G Thomas.

Sunday, v Cardiff, in the Welsh Cup, at Sully, 11.45am: As above. Saturday, 2nd XI leave Glenbrook, 11.45am: I Thickpenny, D W Sylvester, D P Sylvester, S Davies, M Lewis, I Bennett, M Thomas, G Thomas, J Smith, H Williams, H Miller, J Gee.

Saturday, 3rd XI v Cardiff, away, leave Glenbrook at 12.30pm: M Fisher, D Fiddler, G Fiddler, M White, D Goodway, C Bruce, R Galliford, R Harries, G Patel, G Dodd, J Ord. 12th man M Wheatly.