Delight for Centurions as four wins notched up (From Penarth Times)

Delight for Centurions as four wins notched up

WHAT A week for Sully Centurions with four victories and one narrow defeat as the league season nears its climax.

The 1st XI know that this Saturday"s game at Sully against visiting St Fagans is the big clash of the season if they are to have any chance of retaining the Premier League title for the third time, while the 2nd XI travel to Rogerstone knowing that victory or ten bonus points will see them promoted to the Premier League for the first time in the club"s history.

Saturday saw Centurions travel to Sudbrook, which in previous years has not been a happy hunting ground for them.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat - a decision they were soon to regret. Andrew Davies removed R Lewis, Voke and J Lewis with only 12 runs on the board, with a magnificent spell of seam bowling.

The home side were in further trouble at 29, when Nathan Gage removed Archer in his first over and 6 runs later he struck again, bowling Morgan, caught by O"Shea for 1.

The home side were now in real trouble at 35-5, and although skipper O"Leary and Knight produced a 36-run partnership, they were never in control against some superb bowling by Centurions as skipper Jamie Sylvester skilfully juggled the bowlers around.

At 71, Knight"s innings came to an end when Gage bowled him for 11. Phillips was next to go, caught behind by Docherty off Davies, giving them both victims in the match.

Only skipper O"Leary stood between Centurions and a very low total, and at 101 Jamie Sylvester claimed the vital wicket, Andrew Davies taking the catch to dismiss O"Leary for a difficult 43.

The end was close now, and Terry Williams bowled Shaw for 15 and O"Shea finished things off, having Burrows caught for 1 as the home side crumbled to 114 all out.

Centurions skipper decided to move down the order to number 3 and Mike O"Shea and Ryan Sylvester just made hay in the sunshine as they completely demolished the home attack, despatching them to all parts of the ground, showing their class and power as they both passed 50, taking Centurions to victory in just 12.3 overs to set up this weekend"s double.

On Saturday they are home to St Fagans and on Monday they entertain Pentyrch. It could be some weekend.

The club are holding a barbecue all afternoon on Bank Holiday Monday.

Sudbrook 114 ao. M O"Leary 43, A Davies 4-15, N Gage 3-14.

Centurions 115-0. M O"Shea 55 no, R Sylvester 52 no.

SECONDS WIN

Sully Centurions 2nd XI went into the home match on Saturday well aware that no slip-ups could be made if their promotion challenge was to be maintained.

What a start they made. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, and were soon in trouble against a superb opening spell by John Gee, well supported by Peter Rose.

Dass, Watts, Macey and Green were all back in the Pavilion with only 40 runs on the board, with 3 wickets to Gee and 1 to Rose.

Jones went for 17, caught off G Fiddler, but bad bowling, some lapses in the field and perhaps bowlers kept on a little too long coupled with some fine batting by the excellent Pyatt and the hard hitting Hassan, certainly gave the visitors innings a much better look to it.

Hassan passed his half century before Goodway took his vital wicket for 54, and the introduction of Patel, with his leg spin, produced dramatic results as he claimed three wickets, and although Pyatt passed his 50, Centurions had come back into the game as the visitors were all out in the 41st over for a challenging 193.

Centurions reply got off to a poor start with Dave Fiddler bowled at 15 by the impressive Pyatt for 5. Skipper Slim Davies and in-form Huw Smith took the score along steadily to 57 when Davies shied one to mid-off caught for 16 off Watts.

This brought Goodway to join Smith at the wicket and between them they put Centurions on top. Huw Smith hit 53 before he was caught off Hassan, and Goodway scored 56, but there was a hiccup as Miller went for 5, Thomas for 5 and Gee for 4, but Rose and veteran Dave Sylvester guided Centurions past the post for a vital win.

Malpas 193 ao. C Hassan 54, I Pyatt 52 no. G Patel 3-13, J Gee 3-61, D Goodway 2-29.

Centurions 195-7. D Goodway 56, H Smith 53. I Pyatt 3-59.

DANGEROUS

Saturday"s Alliance fixture against Deri at Rhoose was greeted by a wicket with massive cracks in it, making it a dangerous surface and a real lottery.

Centurions were asked to bat, and the experience of Bruce and skipper Don Sylvester gave them a good start, adding 36 invaluable runs before Sylvester was caught for 10.

Hooper and Bruce took the score to 56 and then Chris Taylor continued his superb form with a tremendous 44. Bruce went for a fighting 20, Barnett 11 and Harrison an invaluable 14 not out took Sully to a useful total of 164.

Deri were never able to get to grips with the conditions, and veteran Derek Allen produced a superb spell of 4-19 backed up by Don Sylvester 2-10 as the visitors were all out for 122.

Centurions 164 ao. C Taylor 44, C Bruce 20. D Evans 3-35, A Lewis 3-31.

Deri 122 ao. S Allen 4-19, D P Sylvester 2-10.

HOME AT LAST

Sunday was the turn of the 3rd XI who must have been delighted to be playing their first game of the season at Sully. The visitors, Aberdare won the toss and elected to bat on a hot afternoon.

Former Centurion Wesley and Ireland started cautiously against the excellent Paul Fisher, and Lewis Coslett, and they added 46 runs before J T Sylvester took a smart catch at mid-on off the bowling of Fisher to dismiss Ireland for 23.

Young Aeron Smith trapped Scanner lbw for 10, but Sewell and Wesley put on 45 for the third wicket before Don Sylvester bowled K Sewell for 10. Wesley passed his half century.

Dave Sylvester then began an excellent spell taking 5 wickets but Aberdare, with G Sewell putting bat to ball supporting Wesley, kept the scoreboard ticking merrily.

Dave Sylvester caught and bowled Wesley for 55, then Griffiths produced just what was needed with 6 boundaries in a fine 38.

Aberdare were bowled out for a useful 221, and Dave Sylvester finished with 5-50.

Centurions reply did not get off to the best start, losing Bruce and J T Sylvester for 5 each, then Owen Sullivan and Aeron Smith took control with a fine partnership of 97, if just a little behind the asking rate.

Sullivan reached his maiden half century in front of both his mother and father, earning a useful £50 from them. What will happen when he scores a century?

Sullivan went for 50 and Lewis Coslett took up the challenge with Smith and they took the score to 171 when 13-year-old Smith"s innings came to an end for a fine 38.

Don Sylvester and Lewis Coslett, very much the aggressor, put Centurions in with a chance but Coslett"s fine innings of 42 signalled the end as Centurions finished just 15 runs short, but it was valuable experience for all the youngsters.

Aberdare 221 ao. G Wesley 55, K Griffiths 38, B Sewell 33. D W Sylvester 5-50.

Centurions 216-7. O Sullivan 50, L Coslett 42, A Smith 38. C Sewell 3-44.

Centurions entertained Bagborough from Somerset last Thursday, and won by 4 wickets.

Bagborough 186. G Burton 45, B Rudkin 22. R Sylvester 3-8, D Goodway 2-16, D W Sylvester 2-25.

Centurions 187-6. M Thomas 61, C Bruce 54, R Jones 28. A Mortimer 2-41, W Penny 2-20.

TEAMS

1st XI v St Fagans, Sully, 11.30am: J Sylvester, R Sylvester, N Gage, M Newbold, A Davies, T Williams, L Smith, M Williams, S Docherty, D Eskins, L Coslett.

2nd XI v Rogerstone, leave Glenbrook 11.45am: S Davies, J Gee, H Smith, D Fiddler, P Rose, D Goodway, H Miller, M Thomas, D W Sylvester, G Fiddler, G Patel.

3rd XI at Rhoose, 1pm, match starts 1.30pm: D P Sylvester, P Harrison, C Taylor, P Barnett, C Bruce, M Dando, D Allen, M Hooper, A Smith, Z Mustiff, M Hoare.

Sunday v Upper Rhondda, away, leave Glenbrook 12.15pm: D P Sylvester, J T Sylvester, M Lewis, O Sullivan, J Stone, A Smith, H Smith, T Evison, P Rose, M Dando, L Coslett, M Hooper, M Dando.