Sport | Cricket
Once more, the weather played a part in the proceedings on a day of mixed fortunes for Sully Centurions Cricket Club.
The First XI travelled to Pontypridd amidst a steady downpour and had to wait for a few hours before the match could get underway. The overs were then reduced from the normal 45 to 24 per innings. Batting first, Centurions lost the early wicket of Shae Ellis with just 10 runs on the board.
Then David Goodway and Tom Davies took the score along to 38 when Goodway was run out for 15. Sully’s fortunes were revived somewhat by a third wicket partnership of 74 between Davies and Jake Griffett, who was caught off the bowling of Edwards just two runs short of his half century. Tom was joined by Centurions’ skipper Lloyd Bruce and the pair took the score along to 129 before Bruce was bowled for 14 by Wilcox.
With the overs running out, Gethin Hicks was the second run out victim, without adding to the score. Davies and Dan Chaulk (11) added a further 13 runs before Chaulk departed, with the score on 142, with only a couple of overs remaining. Tom Davies remained not out 43 at the end as Centurions finished the allotted 24 overs on 151 for 6.
The Pontypridd opening pair Niroshana and Choudary shared a partnership of 18 before Dan Chaulk had Choudary caught behind by wicket keeper Adam Gilliatt for 7. Next to go was Wilcox (10) again caught behind, this time off the bowling of Nathan Cuddihy with the score on 31. Niroshana fell victim to Jake Griffett for 17, with the score on 44 – the first of three wickets to fall for just 13 runs. With Pontypridd on 57 for 5. Centurions were definitely in the driving seat. However Taylor (35) and Edwards (34) helped pull the game back for the home side. After the pair had departed, Wride and Parish kept their nerve and took Pontypridd over the line in the final over.
For Sully, Shae Ellis (2-21) and Jake Griffett, with 2-29 to add to his 48 runs, were the pick of the bowlers.
Pontypridd 152-8 Sully Centurions 151-6
The Second XI finally got a game in after two Saturdays of being beaten by the weather, facing Abercarn at Burnham Avenue.
It has been a frustrating time regarding player availability, too, so a much-changed team, including one or two who haven’t played in a while, took to the field. After a short delay due to the rain, the game got underway, with Centurions batting first. Dan Merchant and Patrick Lane took the score along to 11 when Dan was caught for 6 in the third over.
Rukshan Silva joined Patrick and the two had added another 28 runs before Lane was bowled by Richards for 11. However, Rukshan was enjoying himself and after being joined by Tej Vaghani, who hit a quickfire 13, they took the score along to 66. Rukshan eventually went in the 28th over after hitting 34, including five boundaries. Chris Coles’ 16, including a six, was the last significant individual contribution to the score, as three wickets fell on the same score.
At 98 for 9 the veteran pair of Dave Sylvester and Mick Fisher (playing only his second match in six years) came together. They stuck around for eight overs and managed to push the score along to 110 before Fisher was bowled by Dighe. Both tail enders scored one, with 10 extras making up the score.
After tea, the Abercarn openers Evans and Smith took the score along to 28 when Evans was caught and bowled by Zia for 18. Dighe came and went without scoring, being bowled by Rukshan with the score remaining on 28. A third wicket stand of 22 between Smith and Rob Harrison came to an end when Harrison became the first of Tej Vaghani’s victims, caught and bowled for 13. Runs and wickets continued to come and go, with Tej’s spin proving to be difficult to deal with.
The wicket of the dangerous Smith, caught for 35, was particularly important. But even though the wickets were falling, at 102 for 7 and needing just 9 runs for victory, it still looked like the visitors’ game. But amazingly, the last three wickets fell without further score and Centurions won by 8 runs. Tej Vaghani was the star of the show for Sully, with a marvellous 6 for 29.
Sully Centurions II 110 all out Abercarn 102 all out
Sully Centurions would like to thank our sponsors United Worldwide Logistics and Whitchurch Builders Suppliers as well as our kit suppliers Classic Sportswear.
This weekend the First XI are at neighbours Barry Athletic while the Second XI host Abertillery at Burnham Avenue.
MF
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