WITH the 1st XI match being abandoned, Sully Centurions 2nd XI took centre stage as they entertained league leaders Vale CC at Burnham Avenue and ran out winners in a match that could have gone either way.

Batting first on an overcast, but warm, day, Centurions opening pair of Tom Davies and Russell Thomas put on 71 for the first wicket when Thomas was caught off the bowling of Merry for 27.

Dan Chaulk was next out, caught for 14 with the score on 91.

Then Nick Jones and Tom Davies added 48 for the third wicket before Davies went for a well made 63.

Nick Jones eventually fell with the score on 146 and he was quickly followed by Patrick Lane and Dave Morgan for the addition of only two more runs.

Jason Hicks (6 not out) and Harish Hirani (11 not out) took Centurions to the final total of 165 for 6.

Young Aaron Davies, son of former Centurion man Andrew Davies, was Vale's best bowler with 3 for 17.

After tea, Vale started well , with the first wicket falling for 40, but another wicket fell in the next over and they soon began to fall at regular intervals, with Dan Chaulk bowling well, to dismiss four batsmen, including a superb caught and bowled to remove Sheppard for 11.

In spite of some middle and late order resistance the target was to prove out of reach for Vale and they finished on 146 for 8, 20 runs short of victory.

Vale's best batsman was Merry, who hit 41.

Sully Centurions II 165-6 Vale II 146-8

This Saturday sees the 1st XI travel to Hopkinstown for the penultimate match of the season, with the seconds at home to Hopkinstown 2nd XI.

Once again all players are asked to inform the captains of their availability.

On Sunday, an extra junior coaching session will be held at Burnham Avenue, with former Centurion skipper, Jamie Sylvester (an ECB Level 3 coach) leading.

The session is for players aged up to 12 and commences at 10am.

All juniors, old or new, are invited to attend.