Centurions openers put paid to Panteg (From Penarth Times)

Centurions openers put paid to Panteg

THE weather beat Sully Centurions 3rd XI and Alliance side, but the 1st XI won emphatically against a strong Panteg side by 72 runs.

And it was thanks yet again to a tremendous effort by Don Sylvester, the acting head groundsman at Sully.

Centurions batted first on an unusually unpredictable Sully wicket but Ryan Sylvester and captain Jamie Sylvester showed why they are regarded as two of the best club batsmen in Wales, with a truly magnificent opening partnership of 193.

Ryan, back to his explosive best, blasted the visitors' attack to parts of Sully not visited this season.

And Jamie, with his professional approach, produced yet another model of consistency, hitting 14 fours and three sixes in just 31 overs before he was caught out for a superb 117 off Hozard with the score on 193.

Jamie was joined by Mike O'Shea and added a further 26 runs before he was caught for an excellent 61.

O'Shea and Smith continued the good work as Centurions raised the tempo.

At 254 O'Shea was caught for a useful 26, Newbold went for 2, Docherty was run out for 3, and Smith caught for a quickfire 31 as Centurions reached a big score of 291-6 at the end of their 50 overs.

Panteg's reply was never able to reach the required run rate and wickets fell steadily. Worrad was first to go, caught off Sullivan for 12 with the score on 21.

The introduction of O'Shea saw him bowl Martin for 10 and at 65 the dangerous Bird was caught off O'Shea, and the visitors were crumbling.

Runs came slowly now as Centurions tightened their grip, and there was a flurry of wickets.

Davies was caught off Williams for 14, Harris run out for 0, Murgatroyd lbw to Ryan Sylvester for 13, Kelly caught and bowled off Ryan for 4.

Hozard joined Bragg who had held the innings together and as Centurions tried to wrap up the last two wickets they took advantage of some loose deliveries.

But although Bragg reached his 100 it was of no significance as Centurions coasted to victory by 72 runs.

Centurions 291-6. R Sylvester 117, J Sylvester 61, L Smith 31.

Panteg 219-7. W Bragg 104 no. M O'Shea 2-31, J Sylvester 2-34.

SULLY Centurions teams for Saturday:

1st XI v Tondu, away, leave Glenbrook 11.15am: J Sylvester, R Sylvester, M O'Shea, L Smith, T Evison, T Williams, G Sullivan, O Lovering, P Rose, M Newbold, S Docherty, M Rushbrook.

2nd XI v Newport Fugitives, home, 1pm: I Thickpenny, S Davies, H Miller, J Gee, G Thomas, M Thomas, H Williams, N Gage, D P Sylvester, D Goodway, A N Other.

3rd XI v Rhoose, 1pm: V Maudlam, D Fiddler, D W Sylvester, G Fiddler, P Barnett, H Smith, M Lewis, L Coslett, Z Mustif, C Taylor, Jim Ord, G Dodd, R Galliford.