THE First XI hosted Abercynon and ran out worthy winners, as the batsmen enjoyed the sunshine at Burnham Avenue.
Openers David Goodway and Rhett Jones found the bowling to their liking, putting on 72 for the first wicket. Jones, who hit 41, was the first to fall, being caught off the bowling of Williams in the 12th over. Goodway was joined by Ricki Griffett and they continued the run-fest, adding another 46 until Griffett fell to Owen for 32.
Goodway was the next to go, falling for a well-made 60 to the bowling of Mario Paul, but not before he and Gethin Hicks had added another 40 runs to the score. Hicks also got in on the act and was beginning to get into his stride when Tom Davies, after hitting 14 (including a six) fell with the score on 186-4.
This brought Jake Griffett to the crease and he joined the party, hitting three sixes in a score of 34, helping Hicks take the score along to 240-5, sharing a half century partnership in just five overs. Hicks hit a big six before falling for 63 and the innings closed on an impressive 279 for 7.
After tea, Willis and Williams took the score along to 24 before Lloyd Bruce had Williams caught by skipper Goodway for 11. After the score had reached 56, Jake Griffett chipped in with the wicket of Lloyd, via a Tom Davies catch. After losing Maghalle, trapped in front by Ricki Griffet with the score on 70, Mariadasan and Welch shared a 21-run partnership before Mariadasan also fell to an lbw decision, this time the bowler was Sam Johnson.
Then the wickets began to tumble. 91 for 5 became 106 for 9, with Sam Johnson, Lloyd Bruce and Ricki Griffett all getting in on the act. The game ended with Abercynon 130 all out.
Sully Centurions 279-7, Abercynon 130 all out
The Second XI visited Abertillery Town CC. After winning the toss on a glorious hot day, Centurions’ skipper Dan Merchant had no hesitation in opting to bat.
Openers Zia Gehlan and Jason Hicks got going at a decent pace, with Zia the aggressor. But the run rate slowed down dramatically after the 10th over. Nonetheless, they reached the half century mark and were beginning to look comfortable when Flay had Hicks caught for 15. At drinks Sully were 63 for 1.
With the score on 69, Zia, who hit eight boundaries, was caught behind off Flay, having reached 41. Merchant followed 20 runs later, caught off the bowling of Raza for six. This brought Alex Kelsey and Rukshan Silva together and they put some urgency into the batting. Kelsey hit an unbeaten 57, including two sixes and four fours, while Rukshan hit 61 not out, including seven fours and two sixes – his first half century for the club. The innings closed on 215 for 3.
In reply, the hosts got off to a disastrous start, finding themselves 4 for 2 in the second over, with a wicket each for Rukshan and Zia. But Raza (10) and Bayliss shifted up a gear and put on 67 for the third wicket. Raza, who had played the anchor role, fell to Dan Merchant in the 12th over. After Bayliss had been joined by Hutchings, another 20 runs were added before Bayliss fell to a superb catch by Patrick Lane off the bowling of Hicks for a well-made 55.
Although four wickets had been lost, Abertillery were well ahead in the run chase, finding themselves with 126 on the board after 20 overs – exactly twice as many as Sully at the same stage. After Price joined Hutchings in another half century stand, things were looking promising for the home side, until Herbie Miller took a difficult catch off the bowling of Zia to dismiss Price for 23.
Hutchings was still enjoying himself, finding the boundary with regularity, and it looked as though the target would be reached with several overs to spare. But then the loss of three wickets for just one run turned the tide. Hicks ended with three wickets, including the prize wicket of Hutchings, who was bowled for exactly 50 in the 33rd over. Patrick Lane picked up two late wickets to give Centurions the match with the last ball of the 34th over. A hugely entertaining match, with excellent contributions with bat and ball from both sides. This victory secures top spot in the league after the opening month of the season.
Abertillery Town 177 all out, Sully Centurions II 215-3
This weekend the First XI are away at Tondu, whilst the Second XI face Glangrwyney at Burnham Avenue.
MF
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