By Mick Fisher

SULLY Centurions Cricket Club travelled to Radyr for a keenly contested league match and in spite of some good individual performances came away defeated for the second week running.

The home side were asked to bat first and had a slow start, with David Goodway and Lloyd Bruce bowling a tight line to frustrate the Radyr openers.

James Williamson was the first to go, falling to Bruce for a duck after only two overs.

Iwan Llewellyn and Dan Stone got to grips with the task and put on 50 for the second wicket before Stone went LBW to Rhett Jones for 21.

After this Llewellyn and Tom Wilbrahim took control, sharing a stand of 96 to put Radyr firmly in the driving seat – both reaching half centuries, before Ben Spear had Llewellyn caught for 64 and Bruce took the wicket of Wilbrahim for 50.

Centurions wrested back the initiative and some accurate bowling, mainly from the slower bowlers, helped put the brakes on.

Only one further wicket was to fall, however, that of Howard Stone, who was caught off the bowling of Goodway for 11.

The innings closed on 187 for 5.

The Sully innings was a bit of a contrast, as Goodway (51) and Jones (33) batted well to put the visitors in charge.

However, after this pair had departed the run rate dipped dramatically, with three wickets falling with the score on 139.

Although Bruce hit a well made 20 late on, the last wicket fell with Centurions still 10 runs adrift.

Wilbrahim (4-36) and Wakelin (3-17) did the damage for the home side.

Radyr 187-5 Sully Centurions 177 all out

The 2nd XI hosted Cefn Fforest & Maesycwmmer at Burnham Avenue and consolidated their lead at in Division 8 with a convincing 8 wicket victory.

The visitors batted first and in spite of a well made 44 from Butler and 22 from Lewis, were soon in trouble.

Hicks, with 3-24 and Thomas (2-21) led the way for Sully, with solid support from Harish, Griffett, Johnson and Marchant, who all picked up one wicket each.

The Cefn Fforest innings ended on 154 all out in the 38th over.

In reply Marchant and Griffett took the game away from the visitors, with both batsmen reaching half centuries to wrap up the victory after just 29 overs.

Morgan and Evans were the successful bowlers, with one each, but the rest of the attack took a bit of a hammering. This win leaves Centurions 15 points clear at the top of the table.

Sully Centurions 2nd XI 158-2 Cefn Fforest & Maesycwmmer 154 all out

Centurions are grateful to this week’s match ball sponsor, IJP Automotives, for their support.

Next week the club has a double header against Lisvane, with 1st XI at home and the 2nd XI away, at Llandaff Fields. Once again players are reminded to let their captains know of their availability.