Useful victory in damp conditions (From Barry And District News)

Useful victory in damp conditions

SULLY Centurions' weekend was again successful, with the 1st XI and the Alliance teams both winning.

The 3rd XI, which is a very inexperienced team, lost, but gave a good account of themselves at Ton Pentre.

The 1st XI travelled to the much-awaited clash with near neighbours St Fagans, and on a ground which was still recovering from Friday's deluge, the groundsman did a remarkable job to get cricket played, although the conditions were still very damp.

The home skipper, former Glamorgan player Alun Evans, won the toss and had no hesitation in putting Sully in to bat. It soon paid massive dividends, as Centurions' Jamie and Ryan Sylvester were back in the pavilion - Ryan for two and Jamie for nil on a wicket that was already giving massive help to the bowlers.

Worse was to follow when the Kangaroo went first ball and Centurions were deep in trouble, three wickets down for just two runs.

With Mike O'Shea away on England U19 duty, Centurions had to show what they were made of.

Smith departed at 25, but Evison and Newbold set about repairing the damage, with a brilliant 111-run partnership, taking the score to 136 before Newbold hit a long hop off the top of the bat, to be caught by Kuhn.

Evison looked to be heading for a richly deserved century and drove Centurions' total up. But, after losing partner Eskins to Williams, he was unfortunately run out for 84.

Nine more vital runs were added by the two 15-year-olds, Gareth Sullivan and Owain Lovering, as Centurions finished on 178 for 9 off their allocated 50 overs - a very useful total in difficult batting conditions.

St Fagans' reply started very slowly, with just seven runs coming from the first six overs. The loss of Kuhn on this score, brilliantly caught one-handed by Terry Williams at first slip, brought Alun Evans to the wicket.

He injected some much-needed urgency into the St Fagans' innings, but at 38, David Eskins had him caught at deep square by Ryan Sylvester.

One run later, Tom Maynard (son of Matthew) was caught behind by Owain Lovering off the cagey Kangaroo.

Wickets were tumbling as Centurions fielded brilliantly. At 52, Owain Hoskins was bowled by the Kangaroo and 12 runs later, Merilaht was LBW to Ryan Sylvester.

The home side were 64 for five, but although Centurions were on top, their total of 178 was not a huge one and as the wicket dried out, batting became easier.

A 40-minute partnership between Sweatman and Provis brought the home side back into the match. On 104, Hugh Williams took a fine catch on the mid-wicket boundary off the weary-looking Evison to dismiss Sweatman for 31.

Fourteen minutes later, a brilliant catch at cover by Lloyd Smith off Jamie Sylvester saw the end of Provis for 10.

The game had now swung Centurions' way, but St Fagans were not giving up without a fight. Arif and Newton blasted 27 quick runs. Newton was caught by Lloyd Smith off the Kangaroo and then Smith ran out Arif for 15.

At 148 for nine, with four overs to go, Makinson and Head could only muster another 18 runs as they batted out the overs to give Centurions victory by 13 runs.

Centurions 178 -9. T Evison 84, M Newbold 41. P Makinson 3-24, O Hopkins 2-14.

St Fagans 166-9. N Sweatman 31, A Evans 25. N Kangaroo 3-21, R Sylvester 2-41.

The Alliance side entertained a youthful Upper Rhondda side at Sully on Sunday and the result was a huge victory for Sully by 271 runs.

Batting first, Sully got off to an excellent start, with Hugh Smith and Herbie Miller putting on 92 for the first wicket in just 12 overs. Miller was caught off Moore for 51.

Mike Lewis joined Smith and 30 runs were added. When Lewis was LBW for 12, this brought Hugh Williams to the crease and he sent the ball to all parts of the ground, on his way to an excellent century.

Hugh Smith was lbw for 55.

Young Lewis Coslett, with 22, supported Hugh Williams in a 65-run partnership. Then skipper Dave Sylvester, with 27, pushed the score past 300.

At the end of their 45 overs, Centurions had amassed a massive 324 for nine.

Upper Rhondda started their reply briskly enough, as Peter Rose seemed to be suffering from the'Saturday night problem'.

Gareth Fiddler, though, was taking a leaf out of his father's book and was very mean, as he produced superb figures of nine overs taking 5 for 16.

Young Matthew Dando did the rest, with three wickets for just one run. With proper coaching and hard work, this 15-year-old looks set to become an excellent fast bowler.

Centurions 324-9. H Williams 102, H Smith 55, H Miller 51, DW Sylvester 27, L Coslett 22, N Williams 44, D Moore 54.

Upper Rhondda 53 ao. D Moore 28. G Fiddler 5-16, M Dando 3-1.

The 3rd XI travelled to Ton Pentre on Saturday and although well beaten, they did not disgrace themselves.

The introduction of both new players and the progression of the juniors will surely pay dividends in years to come.

Ton Pentre batted first. Nicholas with 61 and M Morgan (34) were the main contributors in a total of 212 for six, with Paul Fisher and Jacob Stone taking two wickets each.

In reply, Centurions reached 101 all out. Chris Taylor with 26 and Matthew Hoare with 21 were Centurions' top scorers.

Ton Pentre 212-6. A Nicholas 61, M Morgan 34, P Fisher 2-30, J Stone 2-6.

Centurions 101 ao. C Taylor 26, M Hoare 21, A Evans 3-21, S Morgan 3-23.

TEAMS

Saturday, 1st XI v Usk, Sully, 11.30am: J Sylvester, N Gage, D Eskins, M O'Shea, L Smith, M Newbold, O Lovering, T Evison, A Davies, H Williams. Plus one.

2nd XI v Croesyceiliog, away, leave Glenbrook 12.15pm, from: I Thickpenny, S Davies, M Thomas, M Lewis, D Goodway, J Gee, P Rose, DP Sylvester, H Miller, G Sullivan, G Fiddler, G Dodd.

Alliance side v Rhoose, 10am: D Fiddler, DW Sylvester, M Dando, P Barnett, C Bruce, L Coslett, H Smith, Z Mustiff, J Ord, G Patel, M Hooper.

Sunday, 3rd XI v Radyr, Sully, 10am: C Bruce, C Taylor, P Harrison, L Doel, G Fiddler, M Hoare, P Fisher, L Coslett, G Patel, P Barnett, DP Sylvester.