SULLY Centurions began the 2015 season with a pre-season friendly victory over Ponthir CC at Burnham Avenue on Sunday.

On a dry, but bitterly cold afternoon, Centurions batted first and opening pair Adam Sylvester and Jake Griffett began well, before Jake had to retire hurt after slipping and injuring his leg after he had reached 19.

Adam continued with Lloyd Bruce (22) and had scored 30 before he was bowled by Price with the score on 71. This brought on a mini collapse, as five more wickets fell very quickly.

Young Ewan Thomas, in his first senior match, hit six before falling to a smart catch behind the stumps off the bowling of Dennehy to leave Sully on 100 for six in the 19th over.

However, this brought Jake Griffett back to the crease and he shared a marvellous partnership of 123 with Emma Davies, who hit her personal best senior score of 39 before being bowled in the 33rd over.

Jake was finally out in the next over for a faultless 120 and the innings closed on 229 all out soon after this.

After tea, Ponthir began brightly and had reached 24 when Bruce (two for 27) had Simms stumped by Nathan Baker for six. The same bowler accounted for Price (11) with 36 runs on the board.

Then an excellent third wicket partnership of 96 between Adlam (47) and Higgins (66) gave the visitors some real hope. But wickets for Emma Davies (one for 31), Griffett (two for 36) and Ellis (one for 32) swung the game back in Centurions’ favour.

After taking the wicket keeping gloves off, Baker completed the victory with a very good caught and bowled to dismiss Barrel for 14. Ponthir were all out for 180 and Centurions had won by 49 runs.

All in all a decent start to the season in a match that was played in the best of spirit by both sides. The two clubs meet again later in the season in the opening round of the Welsh Cup.

Sully Centurions 229 all out Ponthir 180 all out.