Penarth 1sts back in second position (From Penarth Times)

Penarth 1sts back in second position

IT WAS a long, hard day for Penarth 1st XI, as they managed to salvage a draw against an impressive Sully batting effort, to lift themselves back into second position in the League.

Sully were put in by Dave Ricketts and responded with a league record 380-5.

Peter Ingram removed Sully captain Jamie Sylvester early on for 10, but it went downhill from there.

Ryan Sylvester was on devastating form as he hit a splendid 190, with Lloyd Smith providing the back-up with 78.

No bowler escaped the onslaught, but the Sully run-scorers had no answer to the bamboozling leg spin of Nick Morgan, who picked up both players" wickets.

Huw Williams led the Sully rear end attack as he smashed 43 not out in double-quick time, to pile on the misery for Ricketts" men.

John Vaughan Davies was the only other wicket-taker, picking up two late wickets.

Davies" day was over soon after tea, as he was dismissed first ball off the erratic bowling of Gareth Sullivan, who then picked up the wicket of Nick Morgan for 17, to have Penarth reeling at 32-2 after three overs.

Ricketts and Richard Skone dug in to make sure Penarth gave a good account of themselves and picked up vital bonus points.

Ricketts finally fell for 60, but Skone played a superb knock to finish the match 115 not out.

Jonny Hughes (13) and James Docherty (8) were the other wickets to fall and Matt Thomas was there at the end on 18 not out, as Penarth finished 246-5.

SECONDS

The Second XI were deprived of inspirational leader Dave Stevens, as he was called up to first team duty, but stand-in skipper Robert Crimp did an admirable job in leading the side to a 55-run victory against Miskin.

Batting first, Penarth hit 221-6 with Peter Docherty (71 not out) top-scoring. Jack Parkinson hit 42, Peter Edwards 23 and Rhys Morgan batted painfully for 11.

Zia Ghelan picked up two early wickets as Miskin came out with all guns blazing and reached 87-2 off 12 overs.

However, Neil Stephens and Gary Davies pulled it back for Penarth with some excellent bowling which was supplemented by the ever-miserly Robert Crimp and part-time spin of Peter Docherty.

Miskin eventually slumped to 164 all out as Penarth look to keep up the pressure on St Fagans at the top of the league.

THIRDS

The Third XI were also successful, as Rob Cox (53), Sunil Pulpaka, (42), and under 15s captain Alex Cox (36 not out), guided them to 234 against Crumlin.

The opposition had no answers and Ishy Akhtar"s men ran out comfortable winners.

FOURTHS

The Fourth XI were unlucky to finish second in their match. Crumlin hit 240, with Tom Parkinson bowling 12 overs and taking 3-67. Dunstan, making his 4th team debut, also collected three wickets.

Dave Slugg was the mainstay of the Penarth reply as he hit 80. The newly left-handed James Ward hit a career best 27 in support.