IN A game punctuated by stoppages for rain, Sully Centurions Cricket Club's 1st XI were well beaten by a strong Newport Fugitives side.

With the home side batting, the first stoppage came after just one over and, when play resumed, Fugitives were quicker to get to grips with the conditions and the top three batsmen - Bridges, Thomas and century maker Jones - put the visiting attack to the sword and set the platform for a substantial total.

Ben Callow, with three for 51, was the pick of the Centurions' bowlers, but all the bowlers took a bit of a hammering as Fugitives posted a formidable 287 for six after their 50 overs.

More rain delays followed, with Centurions eventually set a revised target of 220 from 30 overs.

Openers Tom Edwards (58) and Pavel (28) got stuck into the task in hand, but, of the remaining batsmen, only skipper Lloyd Bruce (23) and Owain Sullivan (12) reached double figures. Batting at No 3, Shae Ellis managed just eight on his return to the club.

Unfortunately, a string of no less than four ducks followed as Centurions suffered a momentous collapse and eventually ended on 161 all out.

A special word to Tom Edwards, who batted through the innings before being last batsman out; a great effort even if it was in a losing cause.

NEWPORT FUGITIVES: 287-6 (Jones 113, Bridges 61, Thomas 40; B Callow 3-51)

SULLY CENTURIONS 1st XI: 161 (T Edwards 58, Pavel 28, L Bruce 23)

CAUTIOUS WAY TO A WIN

In a match that went to the final over, Centurions' Seconds beat Newport Fugitives at Burnham Avenue.

Batting first, the visitors reached 81 for four, with all four wickets going to Jake Griffett, before there was a lengthy rain break. Griffett bowled superbly throughout to finish with four for 29.

Hales (46) and Ingram (24) shared a 49-run partnership before both fell with the score on 104 and, in the Fugitives total of 134, Tom Pascoe claimed three for 30 from his six overs and the promising Emma Davies bowled her nine overs for just 20 runs and took the final wicket with the help of a smart catch behind the stumps by Ben Spear.

Centurions' reply was to prove rather slow, with veteran opener Dave Sylvester opting for caution. At the halfway stage, the score was just 39 for two, with the hosts well behind the required run rate.

Rikki Griffett (19) and Mark Burnett (14) injected urgency, while Sylvester continued to plough his own furrow at the other end.

It was all down to the final over with three runs required and those, fittingly, came from Sylvester with three balls left for a four-wicket win.

A nailbiting finish, with true 'tortoise and hare' characteristics.

NEWPORT FUGITIVES: 134 all out (Hales 46; J Griffett 4-29, T Pascoe 3-30)

SULLY CENTURIONS 2nd XI: 135-6

WEEKEND TEAMS

1st XI v Rogerstone (Saturday, Sully at 12 noon): From L Bruce, J Griffett, T Edwards, S Ellis, A Sylvester, Pavel, S Tabraiz, B Callow, N Jones, N Cuddihy, O Sullivan, A Razza and Harris.

2nd XI v Rogerstone (Saturday, leave Sully Inn at 11.45am): From D W Sylvester, H Edwards, T Davies, T Pascoe, J Hayer, R Bennett, E Davies, R Griffett, P Harrison, L Burnett, M Burnett, S Morse, B Spear, D Burnett, J Basri and M Fisher.

Sunday (to be announced): Will all players contact Dave Sylvester about availability.