SULLY Centurions Cricket Club entertained the talented Ebbw Vale First XI at Burnham Avenue with a patched up side that contained some late call ups from the Seconds due to the unavailability of one or two regulars.
After being asked to bat and losing the early wicket of Rhett Jones, Dan Merchant (26) and David Goodway (30) steadied the ship for Centurions. The early and middle order also contributed, with Shae Ellis getting 28, Luke Tillbrook (33) Lloyd Bruce (20) and Ben Spear (19) but no-one went on to make the big score that would have been required to put more pressure on the visitors. The innings came to an end with the score on 203, with one over left.
Windross (4-30) and Evans (3-34) were the pick of the Ebbw Vale bowlers.
After tea, Centurions made the breakthrough they were looking for with the wicket of Robson Blake – bowled by Bruce for a duck, followed by Wallace having to retire having made just one run. But this brought together Daryl Blake (35) and Richards (75) who put Ebbw Vale firmly in the driving seat.
However, good bowling and fine fielding saw the wickets begin to fall and at 145-7, Ebbw Vale looked to be in trouble. It was left to the number 10 batsman, Evans, who ended on 34 not out, to help them over the line in the final over.
A case of so near but so far for Sully. Gaurav, with 3-29, Ricki Griffett (2-40) Shae Ellis (1-50) Lloyd Bruce (1-45) and a run out, courtesy of David Goodway, were the wicket takers for Centurions.
Sully Centurions 203 all out, Ebbw Vale 207-8
The Second XI travelled to Ponthir with a much changed side, due partly to those First XI call ups. After putting Ponthir into bat, Sully made an early breakthrough when Pavel bowled Sean Ryan for two with the score on 16. This brought together Bollen and Bullock who shared a partnership of 50 for the second wicket, before Bollen was bowled by Pete Beddard for 31.
Following the departure of Bullock for 27, falling to a Zeeshan catch off Nick Jones’ bowling, there was another half century stand, this time between Davies and Shay Ryan, when Davies became the first of two wickets for Jason Hicks, stumped for 12, with the score on 125.
Hicks’ next victim, Meechan, went for six. Following the run out of Grant for six, Shay Ryan was the final wicket, bowled by Zeeshan for a well-made 59, as Ponthir finished on 166-7 after 40 overs.
In reply, Jason Hicks and Pavel took the score along to 22 before Pavel fell to Meechan for 10. Hicks was joined by Jones and they looked in good form for the second wicket. Hicks finally fell to Wells for 14, with the score on 63. Wells also accounted for the wicket of Jones for 23, on 78.
However, Thomas, who ended up on 16 not out, was the last batsman to get into double figures. The middle order and tail were unable to make any inroads and Centurions went from 78 for 3 to 100 for 8 at the end of the allotted overs – losing by 66 runs.
This defeat sees Centurions slipping to third place, but with two games still to play, they are very much still in the running for a promotion place.
Ponthir 166-7 Sully Centurions II 100-8
On Saturday, the First XI travel to Tondu, while the Second XI entertain neighbours Barry Wanders at Burnham Avenue.
MF
Like or make comment on this report below
