Week of mixed fortunes for Sully (From Barry And District News)

Week of mixed fortunes for Sully

SULLY Centurions were pleased and disappointed last weekend.

On Saturday a much-changed side recorded an easy 32-run victory over visiting Aberdare, but the prestigious fixture against Glamorgan Academy on Sunday was completely washed out.

This weekend Centurions travel to Usk on Sunday in the first round of the Cockspur Cup, the final of which is being played at Lords in August.

The club is hoping that as many supporters as possible will travel as they did last season during the march to Lords in the Village Cup.

Saturday will see Cowbridge visit Sully for a friendly, and league cricket starts the following Saturday with the 1st XI away to Pentyrch.

A very demanding season is in prospect with clubs very much wanting to beat the current champions.

In the Welsh Cup, Centurions face the winners of Llantwit Fardre and Cardiff.

On Saturday Centurions won the toss and on a sunny but cold afternoon they elected to bat. Aberdare made early inroads into the Sully batting with Don Sylvester bowled for 3, Shaun Davies trapped lbw for 18 and Mathew Thomas caught for 9 as the score reached 35-3.

Dave Goodway showed how well he has netted during the winter and Ryan Sylvester then added 43 runs for the fourth wicket, before two further wickets fell with Ryan run out for 23 and Dave Goodway lbw for 21.

Skipper Dave Sylvester and Lloyd Smith added 32 runs before Smith was caught for 21. Rose was caught for 8, and four runs later Sylvester was caught for 14.

Mick Fisher went lbw for 2 and Centurions were 144-9, but Terry Williams was joined by PC Thomas and a superb unbeaten 51 run partnership took Centurions to a very useful 195-9 at the end of their allocated 40 overs.

Terry Williams was 32 not out and Gareth Thomas had probably a career best with 35 not out.

The Aberdare innings started confidently with former Centurions Junior Gareth Wesley playing the anchor role and visiting skipper Hughes the aggressor as they put on 58 for the first wicket, before Wesley became Lloyd Smith's first of four wickets when he was trapped lbw for 8.

The dangerous Hughes went for an excellent 53 with the score on 72, caught at slip by the evergreen Terry Williams, again off the bowling of Smith, and from that point on the visitors struggled as home skipper Dave Sylvester gave eight bowlers some much needed practice.

Wickets fell at regular intervals, Terry Williams claiming a brace for just 6 runs off 5 overs and only Sewell with 46 not out reached double figures for the visitors as Centurions cruised to victory.

Centurions 195-9. G Thomas 35 no, T Williams 32 no. Omar 3-36.

Aberdare 163 ao. G Hughes 53, C Sewell 46 no. L Smith 4-46, T Williams 2-6.

TEAMS

Saturday v Cowbridge, at Sully, 12 noon: J Sylvester, R Sylvester, N Gage, L Smith, M O'Shea, T Williams, M Rushbrook, M Newbold, O Lovering, D Eskins, G Sullivan.

Sunday v Usk, away, Cockspur Cup: Start time to be agreed with Usk, and team yet to be announced.