WITH A forecast of rain, Sully Cricket Club Firsts decided the best chance of victory at Cross Keys on Saturday was to ask the home side to bat and try to get them out as soon as possible.

And that's exactly what they did as the home side were always in trouble, and were bowled out for just 63. With superb figures of five for 33 from 10 overs, McVeigh led the way and was well supported by Morgan (three for 17 from 10) and A Davies with one wicket for five runs.

With time of the essence, Spartans' batting order was changed and the big-hitting Howe brothers opened and blasted their side to a resounding 10-wicket win. Chris (30no) and Michael (28no) found runs easy to come by and, finding the boundary 11 times between them, reached the required total within eight overs.

CROSS KEYS: 63 all out (McVeigh 5-33, Morgan 3-17)

SULLY CC 1st XI: 66-0 (C Howe 30no, M Howe 28no)

CUP FINAL RETURN

Beaten finalists last year, Sully moved into the Midweek League cup final through a rather 'tortuous' route.

With the sun shining until 5pm, everything looked set fair for a semi-final clash with the Hurricanes in Cardiff, but an hour of rain caused mayhem within opposition ranks.

Responding to the Hurricanes' protest that the grass was too wet for play, Sully skipper Morgan pointed to an artificial wicket. Still too wet so we want things decided on the toss of a coin, said the Hurricanes.

By this point, the sun was blazing down so, to compromise, as the opposition would never play a full game, Sully suggested a bowl at the stumps - and the cricket-related way out was agreed.

Having first shy, no Hurricanes' player was able to strike the single stump and, while a first Sully player missed, Andrew Davies knocked over the stump and the Spartans were through to their second successive cup final.

The club will take a coach to this year's final - details to follow.