TRAVELLING to Ebbw Vale on Saturday, the Sully Centurions Cricket Club 1st XI registered their first win of the season.

Centurions batted first and opening pair Tom Edwards and new boy Hamza Binikram shared a 48-run partnership before the former was bowled for 13. Binikram stuck around with Pavel before departing for a well-constructed 36 with the score on 86.

With Pavel out for 27 with the score on 103, Centurions lost four wickets for just 20 runs, but a fine half century stand between Owain Sullivan (14) and Jake Griffett (32) steadied the boat before a last-wicket partnership from skipper Lloyd Bruce (27no) and Nathan Cuddihy (11) produced a competitive total of 222 all out.

An opening half century partnership between Mark Morgan (41) and Pepper (17) cheered the home side and, although most batsmen chipped in, Bruce (four for 25) and Nick Jones (four for 46) kept the visitors well in the hunt. After Morgan was crucially run out, Tom Pascoe snapped up the final wicket as Ebbw Vale fell 12 runs short of the target.

A first win for Centurions; the first of many, it's hoped.

SULLY CENTURIONS 1st XI: 222 all out (H Binikram 36, J Griffett 32, L Bruce 27no)

EBBW VALE: 210 (M Morgan 41, Bruce 4-25, B Jones 4-46)

FIGHTING DISPLAY

Although well beaten by high-flying Tondu at Burnham Avenue, Centurions' Seconds were far from disgraced.

Opting to bat on a hot afternoon, Tondu were restricted to just about two runs an over for the first 10 overs thanks to the accuracy of Reece Bennett (1-28) and Emma Davies (0-23). However, getting the measure of the Sully attack, Tondu soon began to blossom and runs flowed as R Gregory (55) and J Raikes (54) put on 95 for the first wicket. Both openers fell to catches by Tom Davies via the bowling of Bennett and Dan Chaulk.

Harri Edwards picked up the wicket of N Raikes (28), caught by Lewis Pyke, with the score on 169, but that was the final breakthrough. Davies, who scored a masterful 101 not out, was ably supported by veteran Holmes (30no) as a formidable 129-run partnership allowed the visitors to post 292 for three.

In reply, openers Chaulk (30) and Tom Davies (41) shared a half century stand before the former was adjudged lbw and then Rikki Griffett swung the bat to share a 102-run partnership before Davies was caught behind with the score on 158. Griffett, who reached an entertaining 70, soon followed as the score reached 162 for three. Burnett helped the cause with a cameo 22, but the run chase was never feasible and the game finally ended with Centurions on 188 for six after their 45 overs.

A 104-run defeat for Centurions, but plenty of positives, particularly from the batting display.

TONDU: 292-3 (Davies 101no, R Gregory 55, J Raikes 54)

SULLY CENTURIONS 2nd XI: 188-6 (R Griffett 70, T Davies 41, D Chaulk 30)

Match ball sponsor - G F Tyres.

LOCAL FRIENDLY

On Sunday Centurions played close friends Barry Wanderers in a great game which ended in a tie.

A career best 137 from Centurions' Jake Griffett and 93 from Wanderers' Andy Fenton were highlights of the afternoon, with the latter being run out by Adam Sylvester off the last ball with the scores level.

Thanks are extended to the ladies for the excellent Sunday fare.

SULLY CENTURIONS 213-8 (J Griffett 137, D Goodway 30)

BARRY WANDERERS: 213-8 (A Fenton 93, P Coleman 52)

SATURDAY TEAMS

1st XI v Creigiau (Sully at 12 noon): L Bruce, T Edwards, N Jones, J Griffett, B Spear, N Cuddihy, Pavel, O Sullivan, B Callow, Harris and A N Other.

2nd XI v Creigiau (leave Sully Inn at 11.45am.): From D W Sylvester, R Griffett, D Chaulk, T Davies, L Pyke, L Doel, T Pascoe, J Hayer, M Burnett, L Burnett, R Bennett, S Morse, H Edwards and P Harrison.