WITH two Saturday league games and midweek and Sunday friendlies falling foul of the weather, Sully Cricket Club lifted the gloom with a Firsts v Seconds game.

In Saturday's 28-over clash, 2nd X1 skipper N Crick elected to bat. The Firsts' opening bowlers were newbie Deepu (1-9) and regular M Loran and, after their allotted four overs, the score was 26 for one. Regular A Davies and another newbie, Reddy, were next into the attack, and Brennan (27) and Koti (36), with a 54-run partnership, pushed the score along steadily to 80.

With the introduction of Morgan (1-15) and Fullard (1-16), both Brennan and Koti were clean bowled and Khader took the last wicket as the score reached 113 for five, including 32 extras!

In response for the Firsts, the early loss of C Howe did not deter R Howe (26) from pushing the score along with Krishna (28), although newbie Dan Turnham (1-19) bowled an excellent line and length. With a well controlled display of bowling, Crick (2-15) took the wickets of Howe and Krishna and, with the score on 84 for three, it was game on.

Despite the valiant attempts of yet another Spartans debutant, M McVeigh, first team skipper Morgan (12no) and Khader (10no) guided the side to a seven-wicket win with four overs to spare.

SULLY 2nd X1: 113-5 (Koti 36, Brennan 27)

SULLY 1st X1: 114-3 (Krishna 28, R Howe 26; N Crick 2-15)

Tonight (Thursday) Spartans start the defence of their 20/20 title.

On Saturday the Firsts travel Whitchurch, while the Seconds plays their first league game in a local derby against Penarth - the first meeting of the clubs. On Sunday Spartans play Cardiff Cavaliers in a friendly.