Sport

Reality check for Centurions after week one success

Glamorgan Star news 09/05/2022

2 minutes read

SPORT | Cricket:

After last week’s heroics, Sully Centurions came crashing down to earth with a bump, as both teams lost heavily.

The First XI took on local rivals Barry Athletic at Burnham Avenue and ended up losing by 10 wickets. After losing the toss and being asked to bat, Centurions got off to a poor start when opener Dave Goodway was dismissed for 15. The wickets began tumbling and when Gethin Hicks fell for 16 in the 13th over, to leave the score on 40 for 4, the alarm bells were ringing.

This soon became 58 for 6 and an early finish to the innings was on the cards. Skipper Lloyd Bruce (14) and Ben Spear, who top scored with 24, were the only others who reached double figures as the innings ended on 118 all out with plenty of overs to spare.

For Athletic, the honours were shared around, but Haswell (3 for 23) and Ruchiru (3 for 24) had the standout bowling figures.

In reply, openers Darren Van Der Vyver and Sam Hopkins made short work of reaching the target. Van Der Vyver reached 64 and Hopkins 34 as they ended on 119 for 0 in just 18 overs.

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Seconds at Abertillery

The Second XI travelled to Abertillery and, after losing the toss, found themselves in the field. The home openers, Seymour and Hutchings, took the score to 56 when Zia took the first of his three wickets, bowling Hutchings for 29. Fisher followed shortly after, as Zia again took the honours, bowling him for a duck, to leave the score on 63 for 2.

Then, after the score reached 82, two wickets in two overs gave Centurions some hope. A fine caught and bowled by Jason Hicks dismissed Flay for 8 and Pete Beddard had Price caught by Nicky Jones for one. But a fifth-wicket partnership between Seymour and James took Abertillery to 151 before James became Zia’s third victim, caught for 28.

Two quick wickets in the 38th over, Singh run out for one, courtesy of a fine piece of fielding from Jagdish, and the impressive Seymour bowled by Nicky Jones for 67, left the score at 155 for 7 with just two overs remaining. But a quickfire 15 from Ali, before being bowled by Jones from the last ball of the innings took the score along to 172 for 8 at the end of the innings

After tea, Sully faced some accurate bowling and were struggling to get off the mark. Two wickets in the third over set the trend for what was to follow. Three for three in the third over became 12 for 5 after twelve overs and the collapse simply carried on. Only Rukshan (11 not out) reached double figures as Centurions were skittled out for just 35 in the 22nd over.

For Abertillery, Ali, with 4 for 9, including five maidens in his 6 overs, took the main bowling plaudits. But this was a well-deserved team victory for the home side. For Centurions, it was definitely a day to forget.

Sully Centurions are grateful to our sponsors, United Worldwide Logistics and Whitchurch Builders Suppliers, as well as our match ball sponsors Modern Balti and kit suppliers Classic Sportswear.

This weekend the First XI are away at Cardiff and the Secon XI are at home to Bay Dragons. All players are reminded to inform the captains of your availability.