Fine away win for Sully Centurions

Glamorgan Star news 03/07/2023

3 minutes read

SULLY Centurions First XI travelled to Monkswood on Saturday, 1st July, and came away with a victory, in spite of a spirited attempt by the home side.

Batting first, Sully lost the normally reliable David Goodway in the first over, but Ricki Griffett (25) and Tom Davies (52) shared a stand of over 80 to get them back on track. However, they both fell to catches off Mike Jones and, at 112 for 3, the honours were pretty even at the halfway stage.

However, Lloyd Bruce and Gethin Hicks kept up the momentum for Centurions. Jones accounted for Bruce (34) and Malsom had Hicks caught for 36 (a score that included his now customary big six). That man Jones was back in the wickets again, removing Jake Griffett for 19.

After the unfortunate run out of Ben Spear for 11, Kieron Ferriday (38 not out) and Adam Gilliatt (18 not out) shared a half century partnership to take Centurions to a total of 263 for 7 at the end of the allotted 40 overs. Mike Jones (4-43) was the undoubted star of the Monkswood attack.

In reply, Mark Jones began accumulating runs quickly and, after 20 overs, Monkswood were sitting pretty on 130 for 1, with the only wicket at that stage being Mike Jones, caught for 38 by David Goodway off the bowling of Lloyd Bruce. Malsom was caught and bowled by Goodway for 28 and, although Mark Jones continued to score freely, no-one else was able to get into double figures for the home side.

Jake Griffett, although failing to pick up a wicket, bowled his eight-over spell for just 20 runs, which frustrated the Monkswood batsmen. Jason Hicks (2-35, including the wicket of Young courtesy of a fine catch from Luke Canter) and Ricki Griffett (2-38) kept the pressure on. One wicket each for Lloyd Bruce and David Goodway and a run out accounted for the rest of the dismissals, and, although Mark Jones ended on an unbeaten 107, Monkswood were 50 runs short at the end of the innings.

Monkswood 212-7, Sully Centurions 263-7

The Second XI played Brecon in a close match at Burnham Avenue. After winning the toss, the visitors opted to bat. The first Brecon wicket fell when Zia Gehlan bowled Edwards for eight in the 11th over. This was followed by Jagdish Gorsia dismissing Whitcomb for 13 in the 17th over to leave the visitors on 57 for 2. But this brought together Kenchington and Lally, who took a liking to the Sully attack and began scoring freely. The partnership accounted for 176 runs and when Kenchington finally fell to Patrick Lane he had scored 113. Lally remained not out on 67 as the Brecon innings ended on 228 for the loss of just those three wickets.

After tea, Centurions got off to the worst possible start, when Zia fell in the first over with no runs yet scored. Skipper Dan Merchant fared a little better, but he went for 13 in the eighth over with the score on 36. However, Rukshan Silva and Alex Kelsey began repairing the damage and shared a stand of 57, with Rukshan eventually falling just one run short of his half century.

Kelsey continued to play his shots. Ethan Fiddler, playing his first game for a long time, hit 13 before being run out and, when Alex Kelsey was finally out for a well-made 87, the score was 177 for 6, with 10 overs remaining. His score included 13 boundaries and two sixes. Then Herbie Miller took the initiative and began finding the gaps in the field, keeping the runs flowing for Sully. Jag was bowled by Cooke for 12 to leave the score on 203 for 8 with four overs remaining. A maiden 39th over tipped the scales back in Brecon’s favour and in spite of Miller’s efforts (hitting four fours in his 27 not out) Sully fell just three runs short.

Sully Centurions II 225-9, Brecon II 228-3