SPORT | Cricket:
Sully Centurions’ 1st XI hosted Crumlin and fell to their second defeat of the season.
After being asked to bat by the visitors, Sully openers David Goodway and Gethin Hicks put on 55 for the first wicket, before Hicks was caught out for 17 off the bowling of Ieuan Veale. Goodway was joined by Shae Ellis and the pair shared another half century stand. With the score on 108, Goodway became the second of Veale’s victims, falling for 54.
This precipitated a bit of a collapse as two more wickets went down for just 8 runs – Ellis for 31 and Lloyd Bruce, with just one run to his name. At 115 for 4 Ben Spear and Jake Griffett came together and injected some urgency into the home batting. Spear, who made 14, played the supporting role as Griffett took a liking to the Crumlin attack – reaching his half century in no time at all before being bowled by Hopkins for 52 – an innings that included four sixes.
However, this was the last innings of any real significance and when the 45 overs were completed, the score of 201 for 8 still looked a little less than was perhaps required on the normally good Burnham Avenue pitch.
For Crumlin, Hopkins’ 4 for 45 was the standout bowling statistic, with Veale (2 for 37) and Jolliffe (2 for 33) taking the other wickets.
After tea, Centurions got off to a flyer, with both Crumlin openers back in the changing room with only 13 runs on the board, courtesy of two wickets for Nathan Cuddihy. Then the fightback started, with Dilshan (32) and Jolliffe (39) sharing a third wicket stand of 46 until Jake Griffett removed Dilshan. Then Jolliffe and Simon Veale added another 40, a stand that came to an end with Jolliffe being bowled, again by Griffett, with the score on 98.
When Bruce had Hopkins caught for just 5, to leave Crumlin on 108 for 5, it looked as though Crumlin might struggle to reach the target. But the classy Veale stuck around, accumulating runs and finding the gaps in the field. He put on 67 runs with Green, who was eventually caught by wicket keeper Adam Gilliatt off Goodway for 27 – leaving the visitors requiring 27 off the last 5 overs. Veale was joined by brother Ieuan and the two saw Crumlin home without losing another wicket. Simon top scored with 70 not out.
For Sully, there were two wickets for Cuddihy and Griffett and one each for Goodway and skipper Bruce.
Sully Centurions 201/8 Crumlin 205/6
The Second XI played at Penarth and, like the firsts, posted a target that was possibly 20 runs too few. After being put in by Penarth skipper and ex Centurion Dan Thacker, openers Dan Merchant and Jason Hicks came up against another Sully old boy, Mark Frost, who proceeded to frustrate the batsmen with his accurate opening spell. However, after Frost had Merchant lbw for one, Hicks and Tom Davies enjoyed a stand of 49 before Davies was caught for an entertaining 34, an innings that included seven fours.
Rukshan took over where Tom had left off and had reached 14 in quick time before being caught behind, with the score on 87. Then two quick wickets saw Centurions struggling on 108 for 5. Harish joined Hicks and hit a quick 14 before Parkinson bowled him with the score on 128. Hicks finally succumbed in the 38th over, being caught off the bowling of Graveson for 41. But with runs at a premium and overs running out, caution was thrown to the wind and the last four wickets went down for just 11 runs, leaving the score on 151 all out.
The pick of the bowlers was Frost who took 2 for 8 in his eight overs, including three maidens. Honourable mentions to Graveson (2-25) and Parkinson (2-24).
In reply, in spite of the early dismissal of Viner, with the score on 15, the Penarth batsmen looked up to the task. Hassell led the way with an excellent 68, with good support from Akhtar, with 16, Stevens (11) and Thacker (28). The target was reached with two overs remaining. Two wickets each for Harish and Davies, one for Nick Jones and a run out accounted for the six dismissals as Centurions consoled themselves with three bowling bonus points.
Penarth III 155/6 Sully Centurions II 151 all out
Sully Centurions are grateful to our sponsors, United Worldwide Logistics and Whitchurch Builders Suppliers, as well as our match ball sponsors Artisan Cook and kit suppliers Classic Sportswear.
On Saturday the 1st XI are away at Newport, while the second XI play Dinas Powys 2nd XI at Burnham Avenue.
MF
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