WITH only three batsmen reaching double figures, Sully Centurions Cricket Club Firsts were well beaten by top-of-the-table Pontymister at Burnham Avenue on Saturday.

Batting first, the visitors were 160 for seven after 41 of their 50 overs but, thanks to some big hitting, reached 241 for eight. Salman (46) and Adnan Ghori (65) did the bulk of the damage for the visitors, while Nathan Cuddihy and Jake Griffett took two wickets apiece.

In a bright start in reply, Centurions' openers Tom Edwards (27) and Shae Ellis (12) put on 30 runs within the first five overs. However, as Centurions were skittled out for just 88 in the 25th over, the only other batsman to reach double figures was Owain Sullivan (11).

On the back of his fine batting display, Ghori took three for 12, while the best figures were posted by Muhammed Asif, who took four for 15 off just six overs

PONTYMISTER 1st XI: 241-8 (A Ghori 65, Salman 46; N Cuddihy 2-29, J Griffett 2-52)

SULLY CENTURIONS 1st XI: 88 (T Edwards 27; M Asif 4-15, Ghori 3-12)

BACK TO EARTH WITH A BUMP

After last week's big win, Centurions' Seconds came crashing down to earth with a bump when they were comprehensively beaten by a powerful Pontymister side.

After grabbing a couple of early wickets to leave the home side on 34 for two, Centurions came up against Sharratt (118) and Lancaster (70), who despatched the visiting attack to all corners in a third-wicket stand of 166. This gave the the rest of the batsmen licence to hit out and, although a total of nine wickets fell, Pontymister posted a huge total of 343 at the end of their 45 overs. Amid such mayhem, a special mention must be made of young Gethin Hicks, who, in his first senior match, managed figures of two for 28.

Centurions' innings never really got into top gear as wickets fell regularly. Opener Dan Chaulk struck 38 before being stumped with the score on 65 for six and only Paul Harrison (19) and Emma Davies (17) managed to reach double figures as the innings closed on 115 all out in the 37th over. Asid Ali (three for 22) and Mian (three for 10, including five maidens) were the pick of the bowlers.

PONTYMISTER 2nd XI: 343-9 (Sharratt 118, Lancaster 70; G Hicks 2-28)

SULLY CENTURIONS 2nd XI: 115 all out (D Chaulk 38; Mian 3-10, A Ali 3-22)

SPECIAL WELCOME

On another great occasion for Centurions, Indian Academy side Sambhav (Agra) were warmly welcomed to Burnham Avenue.

In another notable landmark in their 55 years at the ground, Centurions were involved an an exciting 40 overs match which the visitors won by five wickets in the last over.

Centurions' skipper Jake Griffett elected to bat in glorious weather and, despite the loss of two early wickets, the side eventually posted a competitive 209 for seven. Owain Sullivan, with a stylish 41, and Lloyd Bruce, with a blistering 60, were well supported by Shae Ellis (23), Ben Spear (18) and young Harry Edwards (11).

Centurions rose to the occasion with the ball as Cuddihy, Bruce and Edwards all took wickets, but an unbeaten 83 from Sahdab guided the visitors home in the final over. Unfortunately, Centurions contributed to their own woes by conceding 40 runs from wides as Griffett used seven bowlers in a thoroughly entertaining match.

SULLY CENTURIONS: 209-7 (L Bruce 60, O Sullivan 41)

SAMBHAV: 210-5 (Sahdab 83no)

WEEKEND TEAMS

1st XI v Malpas (Saturday, Sully at 12 noon): L Bruce, J Griffett, B Spear, B Callow, O Sullivan, G Sullivan, N Cuddihy, T Edwards, S Ellis, A Sylvester and D Chaulk.

2nd XI v Malpas (Saturday, leave Sully Inn at 11.45am): From D W Sylvester, T Pascoe, R Griffett, L Pike, N Jones, T Williams, M Khan, J Bryan, H Edwards, P Harrison, S Tabriz, R Bennett, S Morse, L Burnett, M Burnett, J Brassi and L Doel.

Sunday XI: J Griffett, L Bruce, S Ellis, J T Sylvester, L Pike, S Ellis, M Fisher, J Hayer, T Edwards, R Bennett, L Bennett and L Doel.