ELECTING to bat first proved a great decision for the Sully Cricket Club 1st XI on Saturday as they chalked up a comprehensive 207-run win over Pencoed.

Regular openers Rod Howe and David Morgan started brightly and reached 50 and 100 in the ninth and 17th overs respectively. The former was first to reach his 50 as Spartans continued to push forward and, soon after, Morgan also reached his half century.

The partnership reached 150 in the 27th over and the duo then broke Spartans' existing first wicket record stand of 163 before moving on to 200 in the 36th over. Howe reached his maiden century, including 10 fours, before he was lbw for a superb 114.

After helping set a new record partnership of 227, Morgan was joined by Chris Howe, who was out for a quickfire 21 before the former reached his century to take Spartans to 248 for two.

In a cavalier 46 not out, Michael McVeigh hit two sixes and five fours and, when the innings closed at 302 for two, Morgan remained unbeaten on 108.

In response, Pencoed went for it from the start but, with Mark Loran (one for 20 off six, including two maidens) and C Howe (one for 19 off six), it was a tall order.

The introduction of Sameer (two for 27) and Khan (one for 14) kept a lid on affairs and, with G Rees taking an excellent catch behind, the run chase looked well off target.

The final nail in the coffin for Pencoed was the superb spin bowling of Katari, who, in three overs, took four wickets for four runs. This was coupled with a run out and two excellent catches from Fareed as Pencoed closed on 95 all out.

SULLY CC: 302-2 (R Howe 114, D Morgan 108no, M McVeigh 46no)

PENCOED: 95 all out (Katari 4-4, Sameer 2-27)

This Saturday the Firsts travel the short distance to Dinas Powys.

MIDWEEK WIN

Sully finally got their Midweek League campaign underway with a 72-run win against Mackintosh Maestros.

Batting first, the Spartans reached 19 before Sameer (11) was lbw to the first bowl from T Sylvester (2-29 ). Morgan joined Aziz but, on 29, the latter was bowled by Rees (3-36) and the Spartans needed to consolidate.

Morgan and Fareed built a decent 47-run stand but, with the score on 76, Mack skipper S German (1-30) struck with the wicket of the latter for 14.

Morgan (43no) was joined by I Khan and the fireworks started as the latter hit five sixes in an explosive display of big hitting to contribute 41 of a 62-run unbeaten partnership to take Sully to 138 for six at the end of the allocated 18 overs.

In reply, Sully's opening bowlers D Turnham (2-7) and A Salem (1-8) kept the Mack batsmen well contained. Poynter (36) increased the tempo with some well timed shots and was well supported by T Sylvester (14).

However, the game turned on two run outs and the introduction of pace bowler Sameer (3-12) as the Mack were all out for 66.

SULLY CC: 138-6 (D Morgan 43no, I Khan 41no; Rees 3-36)

MACKINTOSH MAESTROS: 66 all out (Poynter 36; Sameer 3-12)