Phew, what a scorcher, with 300+ runs apiece (From Penarth Times)

Phew, what a scorcher, with 300+ runs apiece

SULLY Centurions" 1st XI last Saturday played one of the most remarkable and high-quality games of club cricket, as they won at Newport by five runs in a match that produced three centuries and 600 runs.

Centurions batted first and made the Newport bowlers toil on the hottest day of the summer.

Skipper Jamie Sylvester and his brother Ryan showed why they are feared throughout the the club scene with a truly magnificent partnership of 219 for the first wicket.

Ryan, as always, was the aggressor, punishing the home bowlers to all parts of Spytty Park, while skipper Jamie showed the classic touch for which he is renowned.

How both these players have not been given a chance in county cricket is a mystery to everyone connected to the club.

Ryan reached a magnificent 143 when he was caught off Grubb, to the relief of all the Newport fielders.

Jamie and Lloyd Smith took the score to 258, before Smith was bowled by Grubb.

Jamie, as he has done so often in his career, batted virtually the entire 50 overs as he passed yet another century, before he was out for a very polished 119 in the 50th over, as Centurions posted a massive 306-3.

It might have been forgiven if Centurions had felt a little smug at tea, but Newport, with Glamorgan"s Ian Thomas in their line-up, had other ideas.

Thomas followed Ryan with an aggressive start, supported by James, and they put on 122 for the first wicket before Terry Williams was caught and bowled James for 39.

There was a second success for Centurions 9 runs later when Clayden was caught by Lloyd Smith off Jamie Sylvester for 6.

Any thoughts that Centurions had of an easy victory were soon dispelled as Thomas, joined by Wood, took the score merrily along to 216, when Centurions made the vital breakthrough again.

Lloyd Smith took the catch, again off Jamie Sylvester, to dismiss the dangerous Thomas for a superb 116.

Wood took control as some loose Centurion bowling saw the home side claw their way towards the daunting target. At 236, Wood was lbw to Ryan Sylvester for 46, and 3 runs later T Roberts was bowled by Sylvester for 14, as the chase was now on.

At 251, Sylvester claimed his third victim, bowling Dennehy for 2. Kershaw and Harper almost won it for Newport with a 37-run partnership, taking the score to 288, when Dave Eskins struck a vital blow, trapping Kershaw lbw for 30.

Nineteen runs were required off the last over, but the home side could only manage 13 and Centurions were home by just 5 runs. What a game!

Centurions 304-3. R Sylvester 143, J Sylvester 119. J Grubb 2-55.

Newport 301-7. I Thomas 116, G Wood 46, C James 39. R Sylvester 3-65, J Sylvester 2-48.

FIRST DEFEAT

Sully Centurions" 2nd XI entertained Blackwood at Sully and lost for the first time this season.

Batting first on a lightning outfield, Centurions" total of 222-7 was never going to be enough and so it proved.

Sully made a steady start, but at 30 Davies was caught for 2, and then a very subdued partnership between Dave Fiddler and Dave Goodway probably determined the result.

Goodway batted 31 balls for 2 before he was caught off Gwilt. Nathan Gage, suffering from a groin strain, produced a fine century with Dave Fiddler playing an excellent supporting role.

They added 50 runs for the third wicket before Fiddler was caught off Rowe for 54. Gage was very much the aggressor in the remainder of the innings and passed an excellent 100, but Sully"s final total of 222-7 was always going to be difficult to defend.

Blackwood"s reply got off to a brisk start, with 50 coming off the first 8 overs. Don Sylvester broke the partnership when he had Birch caught for 9, but some wayward bowling and fielding saw Centurions struggling as Blackwood took full advantage and although losing 6 wickets, they raced to victory in just 40 overs.

Centurions 222-7. N Gage 106, D Fiddler 54. K Rowe 4-40.

Blackwood 223-6. O Glastonbury 40, M Potter 32, J Horton 30. D Goodway 2-65.

ALLIANCE

At Rhoose on Saturday, the Alliance side, a mixture of Youth and experience, were well beaten by a powerful Bedlinog side.

For the visitors, youngster M Farr reached a fine century, and they posted a mammoth 279-5 at the end of their allotted overs.

Centurions were never in the hunt, with Hugh Smith, 53, the top scorer in a reply of 155 all out.

Bedlinog 279-5. M Farr 107, D Cadwallader 38. R Galliford 2-59.

Centurions 155 ao. H Smith 53. B Farr 3-47.

THIRDS LOSE

At Aberdare, the 3rd XI did not fare any better, bowled out for just 84, with Paul Fisher 20 top scoring.

The home side reached the target comfortably for the loss of just 3 wickets.

Centurions 84 ao. P Fisher 20 no, S Ellis 12, M Hoare 12. J Hoder 4-17.

Aberdare 85-3. C Sewell 34 no.