Opening day washout

SULLY Centurions Cricket Club’s much anticipated opening match at local rival Barry Athletic was ended by rain, after Centurions looked to be heading for a huge defeat.

Having won the toss, skipper Lloyd Bruce put Barry into bat in overcast conditions. The opening pair of Dave Goodway and Steve Provis proceeded to put the visiting attack to the sword with both registering half centuries. When Goodway was eventually bowled by Adam Sylvester for 86, the score was already on 162. Provis and Rhett Jones put on another 21 before Adam struck again, bowling Jones for 2. Ash Patel had Provis caught by Tom Davies for a fine 85 with the score on 193. A 37 run fourth wicket partnership between Baker and Brock came to an end when Baker was bowled by Patel for 15. Brock departed lbw to Nick Jones on 15 with no further score on the board.The only other wicket to fall was that of Aaron Smith for 10, this time bowled by Jones, with the scoreboard showing 244. Ellis (6 not out) and Buckland (10 not out) took the home side to a final total of 262/6 at the end of the 50 overs.

After tea Centurions innings got off to a disastrous start with Quasi ‘Pavel’ Ferdouz being out second ball to Athletic skipper John Gee. It was downhill all the way after this with wickets falling regularly – and at one stage the score was 27/8, with John Gee taking a magnificent 6 for 25 off his ten overs. Although it was a lost cause, Jake Griffett and Adam Sylvester salvaged some pride by putting on 49 for the 9th wicket, when Adam was bowled by Jones for 10. Griffett was on 33 and the score 89/9 when play was stopped because of the rain.

Much to Centurions relief and Barry’s frustration, no more play was possible as the umpires called it a day.

Barry Athletic 262/6 Centurions 89/9 (match abandoned – rain)

2nd XI

THE second XI hosted the reverse fixture at Burnham Avenue and it was a similar story.

Barry batted first and in spite of losing Hugh Smith on 28 they compiled a big total – Murphy’s 105 and a half century for Davies were the undoubted highlights of the innings. Centurions mostly young bowlers kept at their task though, and were rewarded with 7 wickets – 3 for Nathan Cuddihy, 2 for Reece Bennett and one each for Emma Davies and Tom Pascoe. However the Athletic’s total of 273/7 was a formidable one.

The Sully innings was only two overs old and already the opening three batsmen were back in the hutch with no score on the board. The home side were never going to recover from this start and more wickets fell cheaply. Only Joe Hayer (20) and Nathan Cuddihy with 53, his first half century, were able to get going. Frost (3/18) and Baker (2/14) were the pick of the Barry attack. The home score stood at 99/8 when the rain got too bad to stay on the field. That’s how the game ended and, like the first eleven, Centurions were the happier of the teams as play was finally abandoned.

Centurions 99/8 Barry Athletic 273/7 (match abandoned – rain)

So, an opening day that ended with both Sully sides thanking the elements for rescuing them. The number of young players in both the 1st and 2nds will be good for the future of the club, but in the short term, the rebuilding process will no doubt be punctuated by days like this.

Teams:

1st XI v Brecon (Sully, noon): L Bruce, B Spear, O Sullivan, Pavel, Ashid Patel, J Griffett, N Jones, W Barker, L Bennett, T Edwards, A Sylvester, T Davies.

2nd XI v Dinas Powis (Bryn-y-Don. Meet at ground at noon): D W Sylvester, J Hayer, T Pascoe, L Pike, C Bruce, P Harrison, E Davies, R Bennett, P Barnett, N Cuddihy, H Miller, S Morse, R Griffett, J Wooden, T Dredge.

Sunday friendly to be announced.

This week’s match ball sponsor D&S Frames.