Barry Athletic cruised to victory in the big South East Wales League Division Three derby, beating neighbours Sully Centurions by 149 runs, with captain Nathan Baker blasting an unbeaten 93 to help stretch his side’s lead at the top of the table.

Despite losing, the Centurions’ three points enabled them to climb above Pontypridd, who have dropped to the bottom of the division following their heavy defeat to Cardiff Thirds and former basement boys Monkswood’s win against Radyr Seconds.

Batting first on a sunny afternoon, Barry’s opening pair of Darren Van Der Vyver and Sam Hopkins shared a partnership of 73 before the latter became the first of Sully captain Lloyd Bruce’s victims, being caught by Dave Goodway for 35 in the 15th over.

Van Der Vyver was joined by Baker, who survived an early scare to settle in and begin piling up the runs.

The partnership was worth 30 runs when Van Der Vyver was caught by Jake Griffett just two short of a half-century, again off the bowling of Bruce in the 25th over.

Then Baker and number four batsman Michael Provis began enjoying themselves, as they shared a third-wicket stand of 163.

Provis, who made 73, was eventually caught by Rhett Jones off the first ball of Dan Merchant’s only over, but by that time the damage had been well and truly done.

Baker finished on an unbeaten 93 and the total of 285-3 was looking like a mountain to climb for Centurions.

After tea, Centurions lost early wickets, with Ricki Griffett, Merchant and Bruce all out by the 18th over.

Goodway and Ellis shared a stand of 22 before Goodway (34) was caught at square leg by Provis off the bowling of Williams with the score on 95.

Then a complete collapse ensued, with the next four wickets falling for just one run.

Ellis, who was the top scorer with 43, was the last one to go, being caught behind off the bowling of former Centurion Tom Evison with the score on 136.

Evison was the pick of the Barry bowlers, taking three wickets for 15 with the rest being shared – two each for Haswell, Williams and Kanishka and a run out.

Meanwhile, the second XI played Abertillery at home and ran out winners, a victory that lifts them off the bottom of Division Seven and up to eighth place.

The visitors won the toss and opted to bat in the Burnham Avenue sunshine.

After losing the early wicket of Hutchings, lbw to Harish with the score on five, James and Evans shared a half-century stand before Evans (12) was bowled by Nick Jones in the 18th over.

Jones took another wicket with his next ball and just missed out on a hat-trick when Newman dug out a yorker to survive.

However, he departed in the following over, bowled by Vasant for a duck. Then three wickets fell for 11 runs, leaving Abertillery on 84-7.

Opener James, who had managed to carve out 73 runs, finally ran out of partners with the total on 131.

Jones (3-17), Harish (2-21) and Hicks (2-5) were the main contributors for Sully.

In reply, Herbie Miller and Patrick Lane took the score along to 29 before Lane was bowled by Hutchings for 14.

Miller and debutant Alex Kelsey then put on 63 for the second wicket when the former was run out for 37.

Kelsey, who hit 36 not out, and stand-in skipper Jason Hicks (17no) saw Centurions home in the 27th over.

This second victory in two weeks avenged the huge defeat they suffered at Abertillery earlier in the season.

Sully Centurions would like to thank sponsors United Worldwide Logistics, Whitchurch Builders Suppliers and match ball sponsors Trade Appliance and Cookware Centre, Barry, as well as kit suppliers Classic Sportswear.

This weekend, the first XI are home against Cardiff, while the seconds travel to Bay Dragons.