Impressive win (From Penarth Times)

Impressive win

SULLY Centurions are finishing the season in the most incredible form, with the Premier League title still very much up for grabs, while the Second XI have clinched promotion to the Premier League for the first time in the club's history and the Alliance XI finished their season with a hat-trick of victories.

On Saturday Centurions entertained the title pretenders St Fagans at Sully and the result was an impressive victory by 6 wickets.

St Fagans won the toss and elected to bat on a hard Sully wicket but lost two quick wickets. Hopkins was caught behind by Docherty off Davies for 0, and Kuhn was caught by O'Shea off Ryan Sylvester for 6.

Soon 11-2 became 29-3 when Maynard was run out for 13, but Evans and Merilaht set about recovering the situation with a 58 run partnership, but with 26 overs gone with the score on 87, Terry Williams struck and Merilaht was caught by O'Shea for 19.

Swetman joined ex-Glamorgan player Evans and they put together an 87 run partnership in 14 overs to take the score to 171 when O'Shea struck a vital blow for the home side by bowling Evans for a fine 71.

Wickets now fell at regular intervals. Wallock was lbw to Jamie Sylvester for 6, Swetman was lbw to O'Shea for 52, but a quick fire 20 from Arif, well supported by Provis 16 not out took St Fagans to 222-8.

Centurions reply started steadily with 37 runs for the first wicket, but Jamie Sylvester went for 12 and Ryan Sylvester for 19, both to Arif followed by O'Shea run out, to reduce Centurions to 58-3.

Newbold showed all his experience and with Lloyd Smith in fine form they put Sully in control, adding 67 runs to take the score to 125 before Newbold was caught off Maynard for 22.

Smith was joined by Andrew Davies and they took control. Smith was in brilliant form and he finished on 98 not out with Davies on 33 not out.

Centurions reached the target in 48 overs to complete the double over their local rivals.

St Fagans 221-8. A Evans 71, N Swetman 52. A Davies 2-27, M O'Shea 2-43.

Centurions 222-4. L Smith 98 no, A Davies 33 no. M Arif 2-43.

PROMOTED

The 2nd XI travelled to Rogerstone knowing that victory would be enough to take them into the Premier League.

The home side won the toss and on a damp and slow wicket had no hesitation in putting Centurions in to bat and what dividends it paid as Centurions made a disastrous start losing their first 4 wickets for just 20 runs.

The two elder statesmen of the side then set about repairing the damage, with Dave Sylvester and Herbie Miller digging in against some excellent bowling from the home attack.

The pair put Sully back on track with a superb 84 run partnership as they managed to turn the game around. Miller was bowled for a fine 45 and Sylvester was joined by Matthew Thomas.

With the ball no longer swinging about, batting became easier and runs began to flow. At 154 Sylvester's superb effort came to an end when he was bowled by Watson for a fighting 40.

Thomas took complete control and produced some magnificent hitting in an innings which produced 5 sixes and 8 fours, well supported by Peter Rose, and was out in the final over of the Centurions innings for a magnificent 80 as Centurions totalled an excellent 222-8 at the end of their allocated 50 overs.

Rogerstone's reply got off to a disastrous start with Harnden bowled by Gee for 4 and Green caught behind off Rose for 5.

At 12-2 any thoughts of an easy Centurions victory were soon dispelled as Watson took a liking to the visitors attack as he hit a quick fire 38 before the reliable Gee bowled him 5 runs later.

Wickets began to tumble rapidly and Gee took his third when he bowled Piper for 12. Centurions were on a roll and Gee did it again at 73 bowling Green for 6, then Goodway got in on the act having Bateman caught for 5.

At 75-6 Rogerstone looked dead and buried. Enter Harley to join the stubborn Trinder and he soon put bat to ball in a swashbuckling 60 as he and Trinder added 72 very quick runs, but the reintroduction of Rose brought parity to the situation as he bowled Trinder for 17.

McGowan and Suller were both victims of Gareth Fiddler and Rose bowled Harley for Centurions to celebrate their promotion, winning by a comfortable 61 runs despite a few flutters along the way.

This was a warning for next season - they must learn to play on all types of wickets.

Centurions 222-8. M Thomas 80, H Miller 45, D W Sylvester 39. I Watson 3-35, J Suller 2-40.

Rogerstone 161 all out. G Harley 60, I Watson 38. J Gee 4-48, P Rose 3-47, G Fiddler 2-20.

ALLIANCE

The Alliance side finished with a comfortable victory at Upper Rhondda.

On Sunday Centurions batted first reaching 163 at the end of their 40 overs, with Gareth Sullivan 43 and Owain Lovering 20 the main contributors.

The home side could only muster 80 in reply, Tom Evison with 3 wickets putting Centurions well in control as they strolled to victory.

BANK HOLIDAY

Monday at Sully saw the 1st XI completely outplay visiting Pentyrch to record a fine 9 wicket victory and a valuable 20 points in front of a large crowd.

Pentyrch batted first and struggled to score quickly against the Centurions attack. Sylvester 3-32 and Lloyd Smith 2-20 restricted the visitors to 164-9 at the end of their 50 overs.

Centurions, although losing the early wicket of skipper Jamie Sylvester for 13, raced to victory with Ryan Sylvester recording yet another century and Lloyd Smith 43 reaching the target in just 27 overs.

Ryan now needs just 30 runs to reach 1,000 runs for the season in league cricket.

Why not come along to Burnham Avenue on Saturday for the visit of Tondu. It could be exciting.

Pentyurch 164-9. K Bell 53 no, D Tallis 29. J Sylvester 3-32, L Smith 2-20.

Centurions 167-1. R Sylvester 106 no, L Smith 43 no.