Fairytale progress continues for Sully (From Barry And District News)

Fairytale progress continues for Sully

COULD there ever have been a more exciting time in Sully Centurions' history than the last seven years when progress has been nothing short of a fairy tale.

With three weeks of the First and Second Elevens' season still to go, the Firsts are one point behind Cardiff in their quest to become Champions of the Premier League of Wales. What an achievement that would be.

The Seconds are very handily placed if the top side in their division slip up.

There was confirmation on Monday that under the guidance of the Brummy Fox, the Thirds have gained promotion to the First Division, knowing that their last game on Saturday against second placed Radyr will decide the championship.

Centurions have already beaten them once and so hold a slight advantage.

What a game at Radyr it promises to be.

The Firsts visit Usk next Saturday and it is hoped that as many supporters as possible will travel for this vital game.

The 2nd XI travelled to Croesyceiliog last Saturday and came away with an exciting 4 run victory.

On probably the hottest day since 1976, Centurions skipper won the toss and elected to bat on what turned out to be a very slow wicket with runs difficult to come by quickly.

Centurions got off to a steady start but it took 14 overs to reach 27 when Sean Davies was caught at square leg off a rank full toss for 13.

The score progressed to 43 with young Gareth Sullivan joining veteran Don Sylvester but 19 overs were already gone when Sylvester was caught for 14.

The next 16 overs saw brother Dave join Sullivan in a solid partnership of 51, taking the score to 94, before Sylvester attempted to up the run rate and was stumped for 19.

In the meantime Sullivan was steadily building his innings. Skipper Thickpenny promoted himself in the batting order and he produced just what was needed.

Sullivan was very solid and Thickpenny with four 4s and a 6 produced a rapid 29 before being caught on the boundary.

Sullivan then took control as Centurions pushed the run rate up slightly.

He reached a fine half century - his first for the 2nd XI - and this 14-year-old certainly looks to have a fine future.

He was eventually out bowled by Adams for a fine 69 as Centurions posted a more than useful total on the slow track, of 185-7 from their 50 overs.

Croesyceiliog's innings got off to a superb start with skipper Adams and John adding 90 for the first wicket, but they also found it difficult to score swiftly and 28 overs had gone when Gareth Sullivan took a good catch off Ray Galliford to dismiss John for 31.

Adams was next to go at 110, hitting a long hop straight down the reliable hands of Mike Lewis for 68 off the bowling of Davies.

From that moment Centurions just had the upper hand. Galliford struck again when young Owen Lovering took a smart catch behind to send Couch back to the pavilion for 16 and then he bowled Watt for 8.

Thickpenny bowled Lowe for 2, but father and son started to bring the game back to the home side until father, the aggressor, was brilliantly caught and bowled by John Gee.

Centurions were nearing victory as Gee bowled Dunn for 4, and had Berry well caught by Gill on the square leg boundary for 0.

The last over arrived with 10 runs needed for victory. Young Roden looked well capable but cometh the hour cometh the man, and skipper Thickpenny bowled an excellent over to see Centurions home by 4 runs.

Centurions 185-7. G Sullivan 69, I Thickpenny 29, D W Sylvester 19. K Adams 2-33. Croesyceiliog 181-8. I Adams 68, R John 31, S Roden 25 no. R Galliford 3-42, J Gee 3-50.

Revenge

On Friday night at Sully, after defeating Penarth on the Tuesday in the semi-final, Centurions avenged last season's defeat in the Vale Cup final against Barry Wanderers with an 18 run victory.

Centurions batted first and got off to a magnificent start as young and old combination Lloyd Smith and David Sylvester added 101 runs for the first wicket off just 11 overs. Smith was caught for 57, and Sylvester was run out at 124 for a fine 38, and although Centurions run rate slowed a little the total of 157 at the end of their 20 overs was more than useful.

And so it proved. Wanderers could only muster 139 in reply with Lanagan 31 not out top scoring and young Gauru Patel bowling probably his best spell for the club taking 2-15 and earning him a bat as the young player of the night.

Centurions 157-6. L Smith 57, D W Sylvester 38, N Gill 16. H Hassett 2-31. Barry Wanderers 139-8. G Lanagan 31 not out, E Sherrif 23. C Bruce 3-11, G Patel 2-15, T Williams 2-29.

Big win

The 2nd XI played their last home game of the season at Rhoose last Saturday, and with skipper Mick Fisher enjoying the high frolics of the Banbury Folk Festival, Christian Bruce took control with great effect as Centurions completely outplayed Panteg with an incredible 181 run victory.

Batting first Dave Fiddler and Christian Bruce reached 110 before Bruce was caught for a fine 57.

Fiddler was joined by yet another youngster with a promising future, Dave Goodway taking the score to 190 with the Master Fiddler coaching the youngster Goodway all along the way.

Fiddler was eventually out with fatigue rather than the skill of the bowler for yet another score of over 50, for a fine 64.

Goodway was joined by Mark White whose appearances have been too few this season, but he again showed what a useful cricketer he is.

Goodway took control as he passed 50 and with White hitting the ball to the boundary at regular intervals Centurions piled on the runs.

As Centurions reached the mammoth total of 266-2 at the end of their 40 overs, Goodway was 76 not out and White 33 not out.

Panteg were never going to get anywhere near the total, Rose bowling 7 overs for just 15 runs and Gareth Fiddler continuing his fine season with two wickets.

Patel made it a good weekend, when although not bowling as well as Friday night he still captured two wickets.

Skipper Bruce had a golden couple of days, taking 4-4 on Saturday, 3 wickets Friday and 57 runs as Centurions rolled Panteg over for just 85. Bring on Radyr.

Centurions 266 for 2. D Goodway 76 not out, D Fiddler 64, C Bruce 57, M White 33. Panteg 85 all out. D Hatchley 19, Extras 30, C Bruce 4 for 4, G Patel 2 for 20, G Fiddler 2 for 21.