By Mick Fisher

FOR the second week running Sully Centurions Cricket Club posted victories for both the First and Second XIs.

Both matches had been switched to Sunday by the league, due to the new ‘100’ competition taking place at Sophia Gardens on Saturday.

The First XI entertained Radyr at Burnham Avenue and, on a pitch that had seen a lot of overnight and morning rain, managed to get the game underway on time.

After winning the toss, Centurions’ skipper Rhett Jones had no hesitation in asking the visitors to bat.

This proved to be a good decision, as the Centurions’ bowlers slowly took control.

The first wicket fell on 33 when Nathan Cuddihy had Priynash caught by keeper Ben Spear for 13.

Only eight more runs had been added when Jake Griffett took the wicket of Clegg, who had made 17.

Wilbraham and Lloyd were beginning to find some momentum when Lloyd Bruce had Wilbraham caught by David Goodway for 11, with the score on 62, in the 24th over. However, the slow scoring was about to come to an end as Lloyd was joined by Llewellyn.

They proceeded to claw back the initiative and began making some headway, putting on 92 for the fourth wicket before the Goodway/Bruce combination saw off Lloyd for a well-made 69, an impressive knock that included ten boundaries.

This time it was Goodway who took the bowling honours, with Bruce taking the catch. Llewellyn ended on an unbeaten 51 as Radyr ended on 181 for 4.

After tea, David Goodway and Rhett Jones opened the batting for Sully and were soon in the runs, as the boundary was reached regularly, with the 100 coming up in the 20th over.

After reaching his half century, which included ten 4s, Jones was caught behind off the bowling of O’Neil, with the score on 118.

Goodway was then joined by Shae Ellis, who decided to carry on where Jones had left off, hitting a quickfire 29 not out, including three fours and a six.

But Goodway was the man of the moment, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 90, as the target was reached with seven overs to spare.

This victory lifts Centurions up the table and sets up an interesting final month of the season.

Sully Centurions 182-1 Radyr II 181-4 The Second XI travelled to Cefn Fforest & Maesycwmmer and, after losing the toss, were asked to bat.

It was heavy going on a damp wicket and the home attack took full advantage of the conditions, bowling an accurate line to frustrate the Centurions’ openers.

Jason Hicks fell for 4 in the eighth over, with score on just 18.

He was followed by Gaurav for 13 and then Quasi ‘Pavel’ Ferdouz for a duck, leaving Sully on 28 for 3 after 15 overs.

Dan Merchant (32) and Adam Gilliatt then began the fight back, putting on 43 for the fourth wicket before Merchant was caught and bowled by Bal in the 28th over Pete Beddard hit a couple of boundaries before he fell, bowled by Evans for eight.

Skipper Dave Sylvester was then run out without troubling the scorers to leave Centurions on 85 for 6 with only ten overs left.

But this saw the entry of Chris Coles, who took a liking to the bowling and began enjoying himself, hitting a few boundaries and a big 6 to give Centurions some hope of getting a score they may be able to defend.

After the departure of Gilliatt for 21 (to a controversial LBW decision) the scoring slowed down a little, but Coles was still enjoying himself and he managed to end on 36 not out, with Centurions reaching 145 for 9 at the close of the innings.

In reply, on a drying wicket, the home side made steady progress.

In spite of losing Evans for 13, with the score on 25, they didn’t look in too much trouble at first.

But some tight bowling by Pavel and Gaurav kept the runs down, both ending on 1-22. Pete Beddard and Jason Hicks joined the attack and began making inroads.

Beddard started the fight back by taking the wicket of Butler, having him caught behind by Adam Gilliatt for 12.

Then Jason Hicks took the first of his first victims when he had Vines caught for 1.

Hicks and Beddard (who finished on 1 for 21) continued to frustrate the Cefn Fforest batsmen with a fine display of accurate bowling.

Hicks bowled two successive wicket maidens to keep the pressure on and returned the remarkable figures of 5-17.

In spite of Bateman hitting 48 and a late knock of 24 from Bal, the run rate kept mounting.

In the end, a couple of tight overs from Merchant saw Sully home by nine runs.

All in all, a successful Sunday afternoon.

Cefn Fforest & Maesycwmmer 136-8 Sully Centurions II 145-9 On Saturday the First XI are away at Lisvane, with the Seconds hosting the Lisvane Fourth XI at Burnham Avenue.

Once again, all players are reminded to give their availability to the team captains.

Sully Centurions would like to thank our match ball sponsors Admiral Group, our shirt sponsors United Worldwide Logistics, as well as shirt suppliers Classic Sportswear for all their support.