SULLY Centurions CC had a mixed day on the last weekend of the league season, but it ended with both sides celebrating.
The First XI started the day in third place and came up against the second-placed team, neighbours Barry Athletic II, at Burnham Avenue. After overnight rain, the outfield was slow and the toss looked crucial. It was no surprise that, after calling correctly, the Barry skipper asked Centurions to bat first.
This looked like a good decision, as home skipper David Goodway, was out for 12 early in the proceedings. But Rhett Jones and Gethin Hicks began finding gaps in the field and runs started to flow. They came together following Tom Davies’ dismissal for 9, with the score on 74-2, and put on another 72 runs for the third wicket, before Jones fell to Hurbert for 61.
Hicks was joined by Jake Griffett, who hit 30, including four fours and a six in a partnership of 54 until he became Hurbert’s second victim, in the 35th over. Hicks’ impressive innings came to an end when he was bowled by Amila for a top score of 65. A couple of entertaining cameos from Kieran Ferriday (9) and Lloyd Bruce (15 not out) helped Sully to an impressive 257 for 7 at the end of the innings. Amila (3 for 47) and Hurbert (2 for 38 ) were Athletics’ standout bowlers.
After tea, Barry’s innings started very much as Sully’s, with the early wicket of opener, Ruchiru, falling for 19 to a Ferriday catch off the bowling of Goodway, with 26 on the board for the visitors. Harsha also fell to a catch from Ferriday, this time off Nicky Jones, with the score on 41-2. Former Sully player, Kapil Rokad, was next to go, bowled by Nicky Jones for a duck. When Hurbert fell to Nathan Cuddihy, courtesy of a Jake Griffett catch, for a top score of 23, the alarm bells were ringing for the visitors. Of the remaining batters, only Amila (20) and John (10) reached double figures and the innings closed on 92 all out.
This result means that Centurions have now secured runners up position in the league.
Sully Centurions 257-7, Barry Athletic 92 all out
The Second XI travelled to Abercarn, knowing that whoever won would be champions. The losers would be anxiously awaiting the result of the match between third-placed Porth and Abertillery to see who would be runners up.
Again, after early rain, the pitch would favour the side who bowled first so, after losing the toss, Centurions batted first. Jason Hicks fell early, followed by Zia, and at 13 for 2, after just five overs, it was looking ominous. But a third wicket half century partnership between skipper Dan Merchant (16) and Alex Kelsey (26) put Centurions back in the game.
However, the home side kept up the pressure and wickets began to fall again. Rukshan Silva played a marathon innings, in the context of the game, of 16 overs for his 20. But none of the other middle/lower order could make much impact. When Jagdish Gorsia was bowled by Richards for 7, the innings ended on 117 all out, with three overs still left. Hughes (3-25) and skipper Harry Parsons (3-26) were the pick of the Abercarn bowlers.
In reply, the home side got off to a poor start, with three wickets for Imran Ahmed. leaving Abercarn on 18 for 3 in the 11th over. The home batsmen found Ahmed and Bharat, his opening partner, extremely difficult to get away. Number 3 bat Williams, however, stuck around and began playing his shots, supported by Iuean Parsons (20). The pair shared a half century stand for the fifth wicket which began to turn the momentum in the home side’s favour. In spite of a couple of late wickets, including Williams (lbw to Andrew Jones for a well-made 51) the final pair of Saurabh (16 not out) and Goodall (3 not out) got Abercarn home in the 38th over. The wickets were shared, with one each for Zia, Hicks, Jones and Jagdish, with Ahmed’s 3-14 being the outstanding figures for Sully.
The news that Abertillery had defeated Porth meant that the Second XI had achieved the runners up spot in the table
Abercarn 118-7, Sully Centurions II 117 all out
Sully Centurions CC would like to thank our match-ball sponsors IJP for their support.
MF
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