THE Sully Centurions Cricket Club 1st XV travelled to Malpas on Saturday and went down with all guns blazing on a day of drama and big hitting.

Batting first, the home side amassed 298 for four from their allotted 50 overs, with James Perrett (69no) and David Martin (82) being the mainstay of the innings.

Centurions' bowling attack was on the receiving end of some big hits, with only skipper Lloyd Bruce (2-41 off 10 overs) and Jake Griffett (0-18 off six) returning decent figures. Nick Jones and Adam Sylvester chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Following a solid start and 67-run stand in reply from openers Pavel (41) and Tom Edwards, Centurions suffered a mini collapse in which three wickets fell for 14 runs. Edwards kept going, though, and, showing fine ability with the bat, reached his half century. Some nice support from Sylvester (37) and Bruce (29) maintained Centurions' momentum but the target proved too much. Edwards was last man out for a wonderful 87 as Centurions fell short by 35 runs.

However, it was a great effort from the whole Centurions' team, especially Edwards.

MALPAS: 298-4 (D Martin 82, J Perrett 69no; L Bruce 2-41)

SULLY CENTURIONS 1st XI: 264-7 (T Edwards 87, Pavel 41, A Sylvester 37, Bruce 29; D Lewis 3-40)

EARLY FINISH FOR SECONDS

In stark contrast to the free-scoring antics of the Firsts, the Centurions' 2nd XI home clash featured few runs, with the visitors fielding just nine men and being beaten by four wickets.

With Centurions' skipper Dave Sylvester opting to field, Lewis Doel opened the bowling on his first outing of the season and took two wickets for 14 runs in a miserly nine-over spell.The other bowlers provided sterling support, with two wickets each for Ricki Griffett and Salim and one for Luke Burnett. With the final wicket falling courtesy of a run out, Malpas were skittled out for just 75 in 25 overs.

Centurions made a bad start in reply, and both openers fell with just 12 runs on the board. Griffett batted sensibly before being bowled for 19 with the score on 42 and the fall of another couple of wickets ensured it was not all plain sailing for the home side. However, Luke Burnett (12no) and Mark Burnett (5no) steered Centurions home in the 19th over.

So, a first victory of the season for the Seconds; with a bonus that all were able to get home in time to watch the FA Cup final.

MALPAS: 75 all out

SULLY CENTURIONS 2nd XI: 77-6 (R Griffett 19)

WEEKEND TEAMS

1st XI v Welsh Asians (Saturday, Sully at 11.45am): From L Bruce, Pavel, A Sylvester, Harris, T Davies, J Griffett, N Jones, B Spear, T Edwards, O'Sullivan, N Cuddihy and D Chalk.

2nd XI v Newbridge (Saturday; leave Sully Inn at 11.30am): From D W Sylvester, H Edwards, J Hayer, T Pascoe, L Pike, L Doel, R Bennett, L Burnett, M Burnett, P Harrison, L Bennett, R Griffett and S Morse.

Sunday XI v Lisvane (Sully at 1pm): From Bruce, J T Sylvester, M Fisher, Spear, Jones, J Griffett, D P Sylvester, D Goodway, Pascoe, Hayer, E Davies, Morse, R Griffett, Chalk, A Lewis, A Emyr and T Edwards.

JUNIOR COACHING

Centurions are looking for any youngsters - Us9, 11, 13 and 15 - interested in making their mark on the game, with qualified coaching available at Burnham Avenue on Mondays at 6pm. Further information can be obtained from Dave Sylvester on 01446-734762 (day) or 02920 530896 (evening).