Walton shines for Sully in local Derby encounter (From Barry And District News)

Walton shines for Sully in local Derby encounter

SULLY entertained local rivals Penarth in the South Wales Premier League last Saturday. Penarth won the toss and decided to bat on a stifling hot day at Burnham Avenue - a day that proved memorable for Mark Walton.

Penarth's openers David Ricketts and David Stevens got them off to a steady start with an opening partnership of 32 before Stevens became one of David Eskins 2 wickets in 7 balls when he was lbw for 6.

Ricketts went, caught and bowled Eskins for 14 with the score 33-3 and Sam Docherty fell lbw for a duck to Ryan Sylvester with the total 33-2.

Then came the biggest partnership of the Penarth innings, 95 between Peter Edwards and James Docherty who was the first of Mark Walton's five wickets, caught and bowled for a fine 50 with the score 128-4.

Laith El Khatib was out for 0, caught Hodges bowled Walton and Jamie Sylvester had Edwards lbw for 50.

The Penarth innings started to fall apart as wickets continued to fall, and it became 146-7 when Terry Williams took a brilliant catch to get rid of Mark Thomas for 3 off Walton's bowling.

Jamie Sylvester put together a spell of 14 overs, 4 maidens, 1-28 with miserly off spin.

Walton bowled McNaughton for 4 and Ingram for 1 to finish with 5-43 off 15 overs.

Sully strove for the final wicket and maximum bowling points but could not quite do it and Penarth finished with 172-9 in their 55 overs.

Sully got off to a bad start when they lost the wickets of the prolific Ryan Sylvester for 8 and inspirational skipper Jamie Sylvester to former Sully bowler Mark Frost for only 25 runs.

Lloyd Smith and Morgan Hodges added a partnership of 52 before Smith fell for 45, and Hodges for 13, James Cook and Mark Walton took the score on from 95, adding 37 before Cook was out at 132-5 having scored a cultured 18.

When Eskins went for a duck it was 133-6.

There was a fine partnership of 30 between Mark Walton and young Huw Williams before Williams was controversially given out lbw for 17.

This left the stage clear for Mark Walton who played some sublime shots to see Sully home to a 3 wicket win, hitting two 4s to claim the extra batting point as he finished on an unbeaten 44, with able support from Adam Davies as Sully reached 176-7.

Mark Rees, Sully Centurions 1st XI scorer, is to retire from all cricket activities at the end of this season after 18 years with the club, giving the reason that he has been told his services are no longer welcome.

This gives him more time to spend with his lovely fiancee Tracy.

Mark would like to thank Jim and Les, Suzie, TW, Ryan, Jamie, David and Ange, and the rest of the 1st XI for their support and help over the years.

Penarth 172-9. S Docherty 50, P Edwards 50. M Walton 5-43, D Eskins 2-8. Sully 176-7. L Smith 45, M Walton 44no. J Docherty 2-20, G McNaughton 2-24, M Frost 2-38.

Man of the match was Mark Walton. Team: J Sylvester (Capt), R Sylvester, I Smith, M Hodges, J Cook, M Walton, D Eskins, H Williams, A Davies, T Williams, Shaz.