Cup progress for Sully

It looked as if it would be a similar story on Sunday when the Sully side arrived at Penarth for what promised to be a mouth watering Welsh Cup tie, and found the ground unplayable.

After consultation the two captains agreed to make a hasty move to Sully where the ground was playable after tremendous work by Don Sylvester.

Saturday saw the top of the table clash at Sully end in a miserable way as the match was abandoned with Centurions needing just 18 runs for victory.

Panteg, in second place, won the toss and elected to bat, and had reached 62 for 1 off 16 overs. The only wicket to fall was that of Bowers for a duck, caught by Jamie Sylvester off Gage.

From this point on, Centurions took control. Bird was caught behind by Langworth off Eskins and one run later a brilliant catch by Terry Williams in the gully, again off Eskins, got rid of the dangerous J Williams.

On the same score, Harrison was caught by Langworth off skipper Jamie Sylvester for 1, and just six runs later Davies was Eskins third victim as he was bowled for 6. The visitors were now in some disarray at 69 for 5, but a 37 run partnership between Murgatroyd and Jefferies gave the score some respectability.

At 106 Adam Davies had Murgatroyd lbw for 16. Jefferies continued to battle against the accurate attack of Davies and Ryan Sylvester getting good support from Fortune but when the score had reached 133 Sylvester bowled Fortune for 23.

Davies then wrapped up the Panteg innings with three wickets leaving Jefferies high and dry on 38 not out as they totalled 146 all out.

Centurions reply got off to a steady start, reaching 33 when Jamie Sylvester was caught for 9. With the weather closing in Langworth and Ryan Sylvester put bat to ball with a fine 64 run partnership before Ryan was bowled by Hayward for an excellent 74.

Langworth was joined by the ever improving O'Connor but after a stop for rain and with the score at 138 for 2, the heavens opened with victory in sight and the match was abandoned.

Panteg: 146 all out. G Jefferies 38 not out, I Bird 31. A Davies 4 for 49, D Eskins 3 for 18. Centurions: 129 for 2. R Sylvester 74, J Langworth 24 not out.

l To page 44

So to Sunday, and a visit to Penarth for the third round of the Welsh Cup. Upon arrival it was obvious that it would not be possible to play the match as water had got under the covers.

After a long debate by everyone Penarth sportingly agreed to switch the game to Sully to enable probably the only cricket to be played in South Wales.

Everyone, players, spectators, umpires and the tea ladies made the short trip to Sully and it must be said that to get the game underway the tremendous effort made by club members and supporters shows how much the club has progressed in the last few years.

It was all worthwhile, and it was a tremendous result with Centurions achieving an emphatic 138 run victory.

Centurions won the toss and began with a tremendous 135 run partnership between the flamboyant Ryan Sylvester and the skill and correctness of his brother Jamie, providing the great foundations of a huge score.

Ryan took his usual liking to the boundary boards whilst Jamie carried on in his sedate way as Penarth could not break this superb partnership.

Jamie was eventually out, caught off Crimp, for a truly fine 41. Langworth, very much in form, joined Ryan and runs were flowing merrily.

Only 25 overs of the scheduled 40 had gone and although Ryan fell 9 runs short of a well deserved century at 155, Centurions were in a great position.

O'Connor went lbw for 0, but Eskins played a little cameo of an innings before he was caught and bowled for 19.

Then Langworth destroyed the Penarth attack with an onslaught, including three sixes off consecutive balls as he took 22 off the last over of Ricketts as he finished on 71 not out. It was a real team innings as Centurions finished on 257 for 5.

Penarth had to make a good start chasing the huge Centurions total but what followed was disastrous for Penarth and pure joy for the Sully men.

The Glamorgan-contracted Lloyd Smith was run out for 1 in the second over as a complete mix-up between him and David Ricketts sent Centurions into raptures.

With Davies bowling at a rapid rate from the sea end and Ryan Sylvester showing excellent control from the Smithies Avenue end, Penarth could see their Welsh Cup hopes disappearing down the Bristol Channel as quickly as the tide was going out.

With the score at 21 Adam Davies exploded with two wickets in two balls. He bowled Edwards for 8 and then the inexperience of young Docherty was seen next ball as Davies produced the perfect yorker to send the stumps in all directions.

Captain Richard Skone joined Ricketts and although they took the score to 102 the run rate was well behind and all hope of a Penarth victory had long gone.

Skone went for a very solid 38 when he was caught off Luke O'Connor and two runs later Childs went exactly the same way, caught by Gage off O'Connor.

Gareth Thomas got in on the act when he had M Thomas caught by Adam Davies and then bowled McNaughton for 6.

O'Connor wrapped things up bowling Ingram for 0 and Centurions had emphatically sent the Premier League club out of the Welsh Cup, gaining sweet revenge for last year's result. Centurions: 257 for 5. R Sylvester 91, J Langworth 71no, J Sylvester 41. R Crimp 2 for 50. Penarth: 119 all out. D Ricketts 48no, R Skone 38, L O'Connor 3 for 1, A Davies 2 for 20, G Thomas 2 for 23.

Today (Thursday) sees Glamorgan County Cricket Club come to Sully in a benefit match for Adrian Dale. The club have a few seats left in the marquee. Entertainment will be provided in the evening so come and support the village side. There will be full bar facilities from 12 noon.

It is your chance to collect the autographs of the Glamorgan stars and also see how Sully Centurions are doing the village of Sully proud. Your support is needed - there will be an auction of sporting memorabilia during the day.

You can ring the Pavilion on match days for information, tel Sully 530706. On Sunday the club welcomes Ynystawe, last year's winners of the Village Cup at Lords, for the Group Final, starting at 2pm.

WEEKEND TEAMS

Saturday, 1st XI v Llanarth away, leave Glenbrook at 11.30am: J Sylvester, R Sylvester, J Langworthy, D Eskins, N Gage, L O'Connor, M Hodges, A Davies, A Gleeve, G Thomas, A N Other. 2nd XI at Sully, 12 noon: I Thickpenny, D W Sylvester, J Gee, H Miller, S Davies, M Thomas, J Smith, I Bennett, M Lewis, A N Other. 3rd XI v Cardiff YMCA, at Rhoose, 1pm: M Fisher, M White, C Bruce, D Fiddler, G Fiddler, J Ord, D Goodway, R Galliford, R Harries, N Gill, J Ord, G Dodd. 12th man M Wheatley.

Sunday, Village Cup group final at Sully, 12.30pm: Team to be announced.