Shock defeat for Centurions (From Barry And District News)

Shock defeat for Centurions

7:30am Thursday 9th July 2009

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SULLY Centurions 1st XI slipped to a shock 8 wicket defeat at home to Usk last Saturday.

Batting first on a day that was overcast and changeable, Centurions lost the wicket of Ryan Sylvester for a whirlwind 21 early on.

Jamie Sylvester and Lloyd Smith tried to steady the ship, but the wickets started to tumble again. Just as someone looked to have played themselves in, a combination of poor shots, decent bowling and one or two dubious decisions produced a wicket.

Richard Jones and Owain Lovering had a decent partnership, taking the score from 95 for 8 to 139 for 9 before Richard was out for a top score of 31. Owain was last man out, holing out to leave Ian Nicholson not out and the score a mere 144 after just 35 overs.

The bowling heroes for Usk were James, with 4 for 31, and Kelly, who posted figures of 4 for 32.

After tea Centurions threw everything but the kitchen sink at the visitors, but in spite of an early breakthrough from Ryan Sylvester, when he had Francis caught by Roger Clitheroe for 8, with the score on 13, the Usk batsmen were able to pick off the runs for the loss of only 2 wickets.

The second wicket was that of James, who was caught and bowled by Ian Nicholson for 43. Birrell top scored with 83 not out.

Sully 144 all out, Usk 146 for 2.

SECONDS

The 2nd XI put in their best all round display of the year to make it three wins in a row on Saturday.

Having lost the toss on an overcast, humid day and being asked to bat, the Sully openers, led by Matthew Thomas, took the attack to Usk.

In an innings consisting of 10 boundaries and three 6s he again passed 50 for third time, putting on 140 with the consistent Dave Goodway before an ambitious call saw the latter stranded for a well constructed 44.

Thomas followed 2 overs later, agonisingly short of a well deserved century as he spooned a return catch to the pick of the Usk bowlers, R Rees (3 for 29) for 93. Huw Williams (2) soon followed and 140 for 0 had become 163 for 3.

Rebuilding was undertaken by the vastly experienced James Langworth along with Ben Horlock. A partnership of 44 ensued before Langworth was out for 28 in the 42nd over.

Owain Sullivan, fresh for his summer jaunt to Monte Carlo, set about the home attack as he and Horlock put on 32 in 4 overs before Horlock departed for 22.

Sullivan selflessly perished in the cause for late runs for 34 and it was left to debutant Dan Chalk and Lloyd Bruce to nurdle their way through to a final total of 262 for 6.

After the best tea of the year so far, the visiting bowlers struck early as Steve Hood (2 for 20) snapped up a caught and bowled opportunity from the opposing captain in the second over to set Sully on their way.

Some forceful shots from the 15-year-old H Lewis took Usk past 50 but the introduction of Lloyd Bruce (1 for 42) soon had the desired effect, as Matthew Thomas snapped up an excellent stumping to see off Lewis for 39 and open the floodgates for the Sully bowlers.

Veteran Terry Williams proceeded to tie down the opposing batsmen and ripped out the middle order to return figures of 3 for 42 from his 10 overs.

Despite some lusty blows from the Usk lower order Sully remained on top and when the persevering Ben Callow (1 for 43) finally got a wicket against his name, Dave Goodway (2 for 22) cleaned up the tail to see Sully home by 69 runs with 6 overs to spare and to claim the maximum 22 points.

Usk 197 all out, Sully 262-6.

FRIENDLY

After the cup dramas of the previous two Sundays, it was back to some relaxing friendly cricket at Burnham Avenue, with the visit of Penydarren CC.

Batting first on a day that always threatened rain, the opening Centurions pair of Ian Nicholson and Shae Ellis set about the visiting attack with gusto. Ian was the aggressor, with no fewer than 16 fours and 8 sixes in his fantastic innings of 151 (retired). One particular 6 bounced off the roof of one of the houses before disappearing from view. Shae was stumped just 3 runs short of a half century. This was followed by some quick run scoring from Nick Jones (14), Dave Goodway (10) and Lloyd Bruce (10) before the innings came to an end on a very healthy looking 277 for 5.

After a sumptuous Suzie Sylvester tea, during which the rain came down, the Penydarren batsmen came out to face the bowling of Herbie Miller and David Goodway. Herbie was on fire, with some great accurate bowling to return figures of 3 for 25 off his 8 overs.

The visitors were 65 for 4 after 16 overs and it was looking like an easy victory was on the cards. However, a great rearguard action saw Churchill and James put on 130 for the fifth wicket, when Churchill was out for 59.

He was the first of four victims for Ian Nicolson, who despite bowling well within himself was still too good for the Penydarren batsmen - returning figures of 4 for 15 off 5 overs. A special mention must go to Tom Davies for taking two very good catches, including an extremely difficult one off the bowling of Liam Bennett to get rid of the dangerous James, who was out for a well taken 113.

The Penydarren total was 38 runs short of the target and Centurions ran out winners. Just as the teams were finishing the match the heavens opened again and gave the ground a good soaking.

Sully 277 for 5, Penydarren 239 all out.

FIXTURES/TEAMS

1st XI v Newport, away: J Sylvester, R Sylvester, A Davies, R Ready, O Lovering, G Sullivan, I Nicholson, L Smith, T Evison, R Jones, D Eskins.

2nd XI, home, start 12 midday: M Thomas, D Goodway, T Williams, Rhett Jones, O Sullivan, B Callow, D Chalk, S Ellis, H Williams, I Bennett, L Bruce.

3rd XI v Bridgend, away, leave Sully Inn at 12 midday: J Wooden, L Doel, H Miller, C Bruce, D P Sylvester, A Gilliatt, D Morgan, B Spear, S Davies, A N Other.

4th XI v Christchurch, at Wenvoe, 12.30pm: M Fisher, T Davies, P Harrison, P Barnett, N Jones, L Jones, L Burnett, J Bryan, G Tressider, J Edwards, N Bruce, J T Sylvester, J Ord, L Bennett.

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