WITH Llandaff Cathedral as the backdrop, Sully Cricket Club started their 2014 season with a five-wicket win against Whitchurch Xenon.

The Spartans fielded first and, on a pitch suited primarily for batting, bowlers Morgan and Basit kept the openers at bay and, after 12 overs, Xenon had struggled to 38 for four. The middle order produced an excellent comeback with partnerships of 60 and 82 to boost the score to 180 for six, but bowlers N Crick and Krishna showed nerves of steel to take three wickets apiece and help limit the home side to 203 all out. The last four wickets fell for only 23 runs, with Satish taking an excellent catch.

In reply, regular opener R Howe lost Koti and Salem early on to leave the score on 31 for two. Brennan joined Howe and they took the score to 90 before the latter was well caught for 17. With Khan going shortly afterwards, the score was 100 for four. Brennan and Minesh gradually rebuilt the innings, taking the score to 140 before the former was out for 15.

Krishna (24 no) joined Minesh (43 no) and, together, they brushed aside the Xenon attack, hitting the remaining 64 runs in eight overs to leave Spartans winners by five wickets with six overs to spare.

WHITCHURCH XENON: 203 all out (N Crick 3-18, Krishna 3-30, Basit 2-14, D Morgan 2-21)

SULLY: 204-5 (Minesh 43no, Krishna 23no, R Howe 17, D Brennan 15)

This Sunday Spartans entertain the South Wales Sri Lankans.