Memorable day for Sully Spartans who earn first victory over St Fagans (From Barry And District News)

Memorable day for Sully Spartans who earn first victory over St Fagans

7:30am Thursday 30th August 2012 in Sport

AFTER A stop-start season, Sully Spartans Cricket Club players were delighted to play two games in a week - and, even better, there were two victories.

The highlight of the Bank Holiday weekend was the first ever Spartans' victory over St Fagans - a result which was relayed the short distance to the local side's HQ at the Seashore Grill and sparked wild celebrations on the team's arrival; the players were visibly moved by the welcome.

A club spokesman said: "You would have thought we had won the cup. In the club's early years we were being beaten easily by St Fagans, so to beat them by eight wickets is worth a little celebration."

On to the game and, after winning the toss, the Spartans' skipper elected to field as, with the heavy overnight rain making the outfield slow and the wicket damp, it seemed the right decision. And it would prove to be the case as, by the time the Spartans batted, the warm sunshine had quickly dried the outfield and hardened the playing track.

Opening duo Varun and Morgan were quickly into their stride and both bowled their maximum six overs, with the latter taking two for 11 and Varun (one for 10) as St Fagans were pegged back to 23 from the first 12 overs with some excellent swing, medium pace bowling.

It did not get much better for St Fagans as first change bowlers - newbie Shaqib (one for 11) and young left hand quickie Humza (conceding just eight runs from his six allotted overs) - kept the stranglehold on the opposition who, after 24 overs, had reached only 48 for four.

Moonsor, also playing his first game, with hopefully many more to come, produced a superb spell of seam bowling and was unlucky not to take more than one wicket from his spell of one for 13.

Avinash (one for 22), playing his last Spartans game, took his last wicket for the club when Krishna took his second catch of the day. Srikant (one for 28) then finished off the innings with another fine spell of accurate bowling.

At the end of the 40 overs, Spartans' attack had restricted St Fagans to 111 for seven and the first half of the job was done.

After a short break for drinks, the Spartans' batsmen set about their task with vigour and opener Raymond struck some wayward bowling all over the pitch.Two wickets fell and the Spartans were 31 for two off six overs.

At this point, Raymond was joined by Mansoor and, with both batsmen taking a liking to the friendly bowling, at the end of the 12th over, Spartans had reached 85 for two and the opening St Fagans bowlers had figures of one for 48 and one for 37; in total contrast to the Spartans' opening bowlers.

Raymond and Mansoor took only two more overs to reach the winning total, finishing on 43 and 41 not out respectively in an unbeaten partnership of 81; and the Spartans had beaten St Fagans for the first time in their history by eight wickets.

After the game, both teams and supporters went back to the Grill where the Spartans' team stayed long into the night celebrating their most prized victory to date.

The Spartans would like to thank Rob King and his team for being so gracious in defeat - the sign of a club steeped in high standing and history; and we would hope the next time the Spartans are on the receiving end of a heavy defeat, which could be the next game, they remember the way the St Fagans players acted.

St Fagans: 111 for 7 (Morgan 2-11, Varun 1-10, Shaqib 1-11)

Sully Spartans: 112 for 2 (Raymond 43 not out, Mansoor 41 not out)

Spartans won by eight wickets.

MAIDEN HALF CENTURY

ON a dry and sunny evening, Spartans hosted the return leg of the games against Cardiff University. For the fifth time in a row, Spartans won the toss and elected to field and, again, it would prove to be the right call.

All of the Spartans' bowlers put in good spells, with Varun taking one for six from his allotted three overs in an 18-over game and Srikant (one for 14).

But pride of place must go to midweek skipper Tom Hickin, who, in producing his best figures for the club of three for 20, claimed the scalp of star batsman Laughway lbw.

Making a welcome return after a long lay off due to a knee injury, Owen Pearce also produced a good spell; his leg breaks have been missed.

The University finished on 113 for six.

In reply, after the loss of an early wicket, Varun (35 not out) steadily moved his score along with the occasional superb cover drive but partner Will Tindaloo was the star batsman, as taking the bull by the horns, he hit two sixes and seven boundaries in reaching his maiden Spartans' half century (52 not out) in quick time Spartans quickly reached the target with four overs to spare, with the partnership remaining undefeated on 90.

Cardiff University: 113 for 6 (T Hickin 3-20) Sully Spartans: 114 for 1 (W Tindle 52 not out, Varun 35 not out) Spartans won by nine wickets.

* This Saturday, September 1, Spartans host their annual Sponsors' day game against the 'Doctors.' After collecting for a local homeless charity after last Sunday's game, this Saturday the Spartans will raise funds for Ty Hafan. Start time is 12.45pm, with food at 'The Grill' after the match.