SULLY Centurions began the day with the news that the Second XI match at Abercarn had been called off. It was unfortunate, due to losing the momentum of the resounding victory they had last week.
The First XI had a rollercoaster of a match against early league leaders Monkswood, at Burnham Avenue, before falling 15 runs short.
On a hot afternoon, the visitors won the toss and opted to bat first, but lost the early wicket of Mike Jones, who fell to a caught and bowled by Kieron Ferriday, with the score on 14. However, Mark Jones and Malson got to work and enjoyed a 96-run partnership for the second wicket. Jones went for 34. This time the bowler was Jake Griffett, with skipper Dave Goodway taking the catch.
Malson had reached a well-made 74 when he too was caught out, with Gethin Hicks finally hanging on to a ball that threatened to spin out of his hands, to the delight of all the Centurion fielders, not least, bowler Lloyd Bruce. Watkins and Simons than began rebuilding and had put together a partnership of 45 before another wicket came about via a catch. This time Goodway was the bowler, but the hero for Sully was Tom Davies, who took a superb running catch to see off Watkins for an entertaining 38. Goodway struck again in the 38th over, dismissing Webb for a duck, leaving Simons just three runs short of his half century when the innings closed on 213 for 5.
In reply, Centurions got off to the worst possible start, losing Davies in the first over, bowled by Trumper with just one run on the board. This brought together Dave Goodway and Ricki Griffett, who started the partnership cautiously, but began finding gaps in the field as they enjoyed a stand of 70 for the second wicket. The game was interrupted by the quite sudden arrival of a heavy downpour. It seemed that it might be the end of the game, but the weather cleared up after about half an hour and the game continued.
Griffett eventually fell to Malson for 31. After another 10 runs, Goodway was caught behind, again to Malson, for 36. Jake Griffett and Gethin Hicks began taking the attack to Monkswood and shared a lively half century partnership before Hicks was bowled by Trumper for 22. Ferriday had made three when he was caught behind with the score on 150.
Jake Griffett carried on playing his shots and was joined by Bruce, who also joined in the fun, with the score quickly approaching the 200 mark. However, there was another twist in the story as Bruce was run out for 23, going for a second run, with the score on 197. Griffett followed the very next ball, bowled by Malson for a top score of 64 – an entertaining innings that included five 4s and three huge sixes.
With just one over to go and 16 runs required, the late order batsmen had to throw caution to the wind. But Monkswood had other ideas, taking two wickets for just one run, to leave Centurions stranded on 198 for 8 at the end of the final over.
Sully Centurions 198-8, Monkswood 213-5
Sully Centurions would like to thank our match ball sponsors, Ches Van Hire, for their support.
This weekend the First XI travel to Pontymister and the Second XI host Bay Dragons at Burnham Avenue. Then on Sunday, Centurions travel to Miskin Manor for the third round of the Village Cup.
MF
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