Blistering start for the first eleven (From Barry And District News)

Blistering start for the first eleven

Sully Centurions 1st and 2nd XIs had a superb weekend, with both teams winning comfortably, while the Alliance side were defeated by a strong Maudlam side at Rhoose.

The 1st XI travelled to Tondu and were put in to bat by the home side, a decision they must have regretted.

Centurions got off to a blistering start, with 61 runs coming off the first 11 overs, as Ryan Sylvester blasted the home attack while skipper Jamie played the anchor role.

At 61, Jamie was bowled by Grabham for 15. O'Shea joined Ryan and they continued the good work, taking the score to 94, before Ryan was lbw for yet another 50.

Mike O'Shea, who by his own standards has not had a very good start to the season, was joined by Lloyd Smith and they added an excellent 51 for the third wicket, before Smith was caught off Morgan for 22.

O'Shea and Newbold pushed the run rate along, adding 42 runs off just 7 overs before O'Shea's fine innings came to an end when he was caught off Bussey for 51.

Evison, Docherty and Sullivan all helped Mike Newbold keep the scoreboard ticking over, before he was bowled for a well-constructed 41 in the 49th over.

Centurions finished on a more than useful total on a slow wicket, of 244-7 at the end of their 50 overs.

Tondu's reply got off to a steady start, but runs were coming well behind the required rate. At 23, Butler was caught behind by Lovering off Sullivan, and 25 runs were added for the second wicket before Lovering took his second catch, this time from the bowling of Ryan Sylvester, to dismiss the dangerous Pope for 21.

The run rate slowed dramatically with the introduction of the evergreen Terry Williams as he reeled off 10 overs for just 17 runs. Evison got in on the act as he bowled Stenner for 10, and Centurions were now well on top, as O'Shea completed an excellent afternoon with 7 overs of excellent off spin, taking 4 wickets for 23 runs.

All the home side could do was to bat their overs, finishing 182-7, giving Centurions victory by 67 runs.

Centurions 244-7. R Sylvester 55, M O'Shea 51, M Newbold 41. J Bussey 2-40.

Tondu 182-7. B Thomas 30 no, C Holmes 25 no. M O'Shea 4-23.

ALLIANCE

The Alliance side entertained Maudlam at Rhoose on a very dry and low wicket.

Short on bowling, the home side were made to toil against a strong batting line-up and dropped catches did not help the Sully cause. Dredge and Jefferies added 32 for the first wicket, then some very loose bowling allowed Jefferies and Vine to take the score to 105, before Jefferies was lbw to Dave Fiddler for 59.

John was superbly caught by Harrison in the deep, again off Fiddler, and Vine was bowled by H Smith for 17, but any hopes of a collapse were soon dispelled as Power and Coombs added 72 very quick runs for the 5th wicket.

At 201, Power was caught and bowled by Taylor for 41, and at the end of their overs Maudlam reached 232-5, with Coombs 53 not out. The total included a massive 39 extras, with 25 wides plus the dropped catches proving the downfall of Centurions.

Sully's reply got off to the worst possible start, with H Smith bowled first ball for 0.

Mike Lewis, with a brief 10, was bowled by Jefferies, Zaeem Mustiff given out very harshly, caught behind for 7, and Sylvester bowled by Jefferies, playing an awful shot for 4.

Fiddler and Barnett put respectability into the score, with 35 for skipper Fiddler and 29 for Barnett. Paul Harrison, Chris Taylor and young Mike Hooper all reached double figures, as Centurions struggled 148ao.

Maudlam 232-5. P Jefferies 59, S Coombes 53 no. D Fiddler 2-38.

Centurions 148 ao. D Fiddler 35, P Barnett 29. P Jefferies 3-29, S Cavill 3-63.

On Sunday, Centurions entertained Cardiff Casuals at Sully and what an afternoon for runs it was on the quick outfield and hard-and-fast wicket.

Sixteen-year-old Gareth Sullivan made his maiden century for the club and Zaeem Mustiff scored his maiden half century.

Centurions batted first and totalled 222-5, but although the skipper used seven bowlers to give much-needed practice, the visitors won with three overs to spare, Gough scoring a superb 116.

The match was very useful, though, as Centurions' youngsters were able to get the feel of senior cricket on a very nice day.

Centurions 222-5. G Sullivan 137, Z Mustiff 51. A Fernham 2-31.

Cardiff Casuals 225-7. S Gough 116, W Goad 27. O'Sullivan 2-23.

l Congratulations were paid to Ben Callow on his hat-trick for the U-11s in their victory over Whit-church. Everybody at Sully Centurions would like to thank Sully Constitutional Club members and Chris Aynge for their kind donation to the Juniors.

TEAMS

Saturday, 1st XI v Sudbrook, Sully, 11.45am: J Sylvester, R Sylvester, M Newbold, N Gage, L Smith, M O'Shea, T Williams, H Williams, T Evison, O Lovering, G Sullivan.

2nd XI v Malpas, away, leave Glenbrook, noon: I Thickpenny, S Davies, H Miller, D Goodway, M Thomas, P Rose, G Fiddler, D W Sylvester, D P Sylvester, G Dodd or S Naeem, M Lewis.

3rd XI v Sudbrook, away, leave Glenbrook 12.30pm, from: M Fisher, C Taylor, P Harrison, M Hooper, Steve Davies, J T Sylvester, N Gill, R Gill, M White, P O'Shea, J Stone, L Doel, S Ellis, L Smith.

Alliance Team, Rhoose, 1pm: D Fiddler, M Dando, H Smith, P Barnett, J Ord, C Bruce, L Coslett, I Bennett, Z Mustiff, R Lovering, D Hughes, A Smith, D W Sylvester.