AFTER a week in which Sully Centurions Cricket Club were scrambling to get 11 players for the fixture against Whitchurch Heath (due to holidays and work commitments) the First XI finally took to the field with the required number of players, with several stepping up from the Second XI.
Whitchurch batted first at Burnham Avenue and were soon in trouble when opening bowler John Gee struck early to remove Khan for a duck, followed by Reynolds, bowled by Nathan Cuddihy, also for zero, to leave the visitors reeling on 6-2. Saadi and Shafiq took Whitchurch up to 37 before Cuddihy dismissed Shafiq for 26.
The misery continued for Whitchurch and, after losing Saadi (14), they were on the brink at 42-4. However, Cantelo entered the fray at number 6 and had other ideas. In an amazing partnership of 113 with Maskill (30) he began finding gaps in the field and was eventually to fall agonisingly close to a century, when he was caught behind by Paul Harrison off the bowling of Harish Hirani for a splendid 98.
Barr and Williams put on another 24 before Barr was caught by Harrison off the bowling of Goodway for seven. Williams and Hopcroft added 17 before the innings closed on 224-7, a higher total than most people thought they would get at the halfway stage. For Whitchurch, Cantelo’s 98 was the standout performance. The wickets were shared among the Centurions bowlers, but the opening pair of Gee (2-32) and Cuddihy (2-41) returned the best figures, with Goodway, Jake Griffett and Harish all picking up one wicket each.
In reply, Centurions’ opening pair of Goodway and Zia Gehlan set about the task of reaching the target. It has to be said that their partnership exceeded all expectations. It also has to be admitted that some wayward bowling didn’t help the visitors’ cause. Runs were flowing and by the halfway stage Sully were 105 for 0. The drinks break brought no respite for the beleaguered Whitchurch attack, as the Centurions’ openers continued on their merry way, punishing every bad ball and finding the boundary with ease.
The partnership had reached an amazing 193 before Zia was the first to fall, when he fell to Evans (caught behind) for 79. Goodway, playing in what may well be his final match at Burnham Avenue, due to his impending relocation to Bristol, was joined by Ricki Griffett. Ricki was caught out on seven and Lloyd Bruce joined Goodway, scoring 14, to help reach the target, with Goodway ending on 84 not out.
Sully Centurions 225-2, Whitchurch Heath 224-7
The Second XI, as is the nature of these things, were also in a dire straits regarding numbers, particularly as four regulars had been drafted into the Firsts. However, a full 11 took to the field at Llantwit Fardre, which, in itself, was an achievement.
The home side opted to bat first after winning the toss and hit the ground running. Benjamin and Lewis had taken the score to 70 when Benjamin fell to Tej for 37. This was followed three runs later with the wicket of Lewis, caught off the bowling of Amrik for 17. Wyatt (23) and Clarke (40) both fell with the score on 112 and when Pattendon was dismissed on 122, it looked as though Centurions were clawing their way back.
However, the lower order all chipped in and, although more wickets fell, the total of 196-9 was a lot more than it might have been. Clarke’s 40 was the top score for Llantwit and Sami and Bharat, with three wickets each, were the top Sully bowlers.
The Centurions’ reply was always going to be tricky and the early wicket of Naresh, who was bowled by Carter for a duck, set the tone for the innings. All told, there were only three batsmen who made double figures, including stand in skipper Kapil Rokad, with a fine 57. There were four ducks in the total of 133 all out. Benjamin (3-29) Shearer (2-14) and Clarke (2-16) were the top bowlers for Llantwit Fardre.
Llantwit Fardre 196-9, Sully Centurions II 133 all out
Next week the First XI travel to Pentyrch, while the Second XI host Sudbrook at Burnham Avenue.
Sully Centurions are grateful to Gary Watson Motors for sponsoring the match balls. We are also happy to thank Express Vehicle Services, who are the new shirt sponsors for 2025.
MF
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