Sully's super season ends with a thriller (From Barry And District News)

Sully's super season ends with a thriller

SULLY Centurions completed their league programme last Saturday with a dramatic last-wicket victory over second-placed St Fagans, and in doing so retained the Premier League title - the first club to do so - to cap a season of unbelievable success.

The list of honours is: Premier League champions, National Village champions, Welsh Cup winners; Second XI promoted to Premier League; Third XI League champions; Under-11s champions.

On a blustery day at Sully last Saturday, Centurions entertained St Fagans in a league game rearranged because of the visit to Lord's in August. The visitors batted first on a slow track, with only 31 runs coming from the fist 10 overs and the loss of former Glamorgan batsman Alun Evans, bowled by Eskins for 10, at 33.

Newbold also struck to prove a late-season bonus. He has not been given the ball previously but he impressed the skipper and could well be bowling more next season.

St Fagans were struggling at 75-5, but a 28-run partnership between Samworth and Franklin held Sully up, and then a last-wicket 29 took the total to 140 all out.

This was a useful total on a slow track and outfield and, with Dean Cosker in their side, St Fagans probably felt quietly confident.

Centurions made a steady start but the loss of Roger Clitheroe for eight, in his last match before taking up a new post in America, brought Newbold in to join Ryan Sylvester.

The introduction of spin changed the whole complexion of the game and Centurions slumped to 75-6 and then 102-9.

Only youngster Lewis Coslett was left to support his skipper, with 39 runs still needed. They chipped away and needed 11 runs from the final over. In a tense finish, Wales Minor County bowler Hopkins went for a six and a two, and then Jamie Sylvester dispatched the penultimate ball for six to clinch a dramatic victory.

All credit to Coslett, who, although only scoring one run, helped his skipper to a 42-run partnership.

St Fagans 140. S Kuhn 39, J Samworth 20; J Sylvester 3-28, N Gage 2-10, M Newbold 2-27.

Centurions 144-9. J Sylvester 39 no, R Sylvester 28; B Newton 4-11, A Evans 2-13.

Centurions wish Roger Clitheroe a happy and successful career in America, and thank him for a superb season.

The league annual dinner is at Sophia Gardens on Friday, October 15. Contact Dave Sylvester if you are coming.

l The under-11s won their final in an excellent game with Penarth at St Fagans, Richard Lovering taking four wickets in four balls and Ben Callow top-scoring.

Thanks to M Sullivan for all her hard work, Peter Rees for his generous sponsorship and to coaches Christian Bruce and Don Sylvester.