By Mick Fisher

AFTER the high scoring victory from last week, Sully Centurions Cricket Club came back down to earth with a bump losing by four wickets at Miskin Manor.

Batting first on a drying pitch, Centurions lost the early wicket of skipper Rhett Jones with just 17 runs on the board. David Goodway and Ben Spear then put on 32 for the second wicket, before Spear was bowled by the accurate Hembrow for 17.

Goodway and Shae Ellis then pushed the score along to 70 when Ellis fell, being caught off the bowling of Smythe for 16.

A middle order wobble, which saw two wickets fall in quick succession, brought Dan Merchant to the crease.

He was just getting into his stride when Goodway was the victim of a superb one handed catch by Ayers, off the bowling of Khan for a top score of 35.

Merchant (26) and Ricki Griffett shared a half century stand until Griffett was caught for 24.

The last two wickets fell cheaply and the innings ended on a disappointing 149 all out.

The pick of the Miskin bowling was Khan’s 3-31, with Smythe (2-36) and Ayers (2-14) giving good support.

After tea, Centurions’ opening bowlers, Ricki Griffett (3-28) and Lloyd Bruce (1-25) bowled accurately to keep the score down and by the twelfth over the home side were struggling at 46-4.

Dan Chaulk’s catch to dismiss James, off the bowling of Griffett for 21, was one of the highlights of the Sully fielding performance.

Rhett Jones also produced a fine catch to see off Sawant, again off Griffett’s bowling.

However, after Hembrow and Robinson came together, they took a liking to the change bowlers and put on 76 for the 5th wicket.

After Goodway switched from medium pace to spin, he dismissed both, with Hembrow being stumped by Ellis for a well-made 54 and Robinson being caught behind for 33.

But the damage had already been done and the match ended in the 37th over without any more wickets falling.

Miskin Manor II 150-6 Sully Centurions 149 all out The 2nd XI suffered an unexpected defeat from bottom side Llandaff at Burnham Avenue, in spite of making a flying start.

Jake Griffett shared an opening stand of 47 with Jason Hicks, but was then bowled for 25.

Hicks and Sam Johnson then put on a half century, before Johnson departed for 29.

Another good partnership developed when Iwan Thomas came to the crease and helped the score along to 173, before being run out on 45.

But Hicks, who was also run out, departed soon after for a top score of 59.

Then, the introduction of Tanvier to the attack changed Llandaff’s fortunes, as he produced figures of 5-23 off just six overs to see Centurions end on 202 all out.

In reply, Llandaff’s openers batted well and the visitors were soon chasing down the total.

Sam Johnson (1-22) and Jake Griffett (1-26) struck to dismiss Tanvier for 39 and Isa (20) but Sajid, who eventually fell to Jagdish for 52, and Belal (48 not out) took the score along to 126-3 in the 29th over.

Then Sohail (35 not out) and Belal shared a 4th wicket partnership of 79 to claim a well deserved victory in the 39th over.

Sully Centurions II 202 all out Llandaff IV 205-3 Centurions would like to thank match-day sponsors Simon Baston (of DS Holdings, Penarth) and new match ball sponsors Admiral Group for their support.

This Saturday the 1st XI are away at Llandaff while the 2nd XI will be at home to Bridgend.

Once again, can all players let the captains know their availability?