IN an excellent game of cricket, the Sully Centurions 1st XI enjoyed a truly remarkable victory over local rivals Barry Athletic on Saturday.

Batting first on a rock hard Sully wicket and fast outfield, Athletic were soon in trouble when Brock and the dangerous Rhett Jones fell to Cuddihy and the in-formJake Griffett respectively. With the score on 34, an inexcusable mix-up between father and son Aeron and Hugh Smith led to the latter's run out for 22. However, A Smith (22) and the elegant S Provis took the score to 109 before the game swung the Centurions' way when the former became the first of three victims for skipper Lloyd Bruce. Adam Sylvester struck a vital blow in bowling talented Nathan Baker for a first ball duck and worse followed for the visitors as

Steve Jones also failed to trouble the scorers, caught by Spear of Sylvester's bowling.

The experienced Billy Usswald, who played really well for a fine 47, joined Provis, who progressed to 75 before his excellent innings ended - with the score on 149 - when Ellis took a fine catch off Bruce.

With Gee becoming another victim for Bruce, Usswald and a stubborn Frost (20) helped the visitors past the 200-mark, with the innings eventually ending on 211- a challenging but not insurmountable target.

However, things looked bleak for the home side as the innings started disastrously and they were reduced to 46 for four - two wickets apiece for Gee and Jones. However, cometh the hour, cometh and man and Griffett showed how well he has matured since joining the club as he despatched the ball to all parts of the ground with a magnificent 50 off just six overs.

With Centurions right back with the required run rate, Ben Spear, who was having a fine afternoon, was joined by the watchful Tom Davies and a 78-run stand put their side in control.

Spear was bowled by the impressive Ferriday for 27 and Bruce went for a duck, but Ellis kept his nerve and, with Davies in great form, they took Centurions to within seven runs of victory when the former departed for a very useful 15.

Joined by Owain Sullivan, Davies posted a memorable unbeaten half century as Centurions edged to a two-wicket victory.

It was a nice touch that umpires Fiddler and Davies, who have been part of the local cricket scene for many years, should be officiating.

BARRY ATHLETIC 1st XI: 211 all out (S Provis 75, B Usswald 47, A Smith 22, H Smith 22, D Frost 20; L Bruce 3-46, N Cuddihy 2-16, J Griffett 2-40, A Sylvester 2-40)

SULLY CENTURIONS 1st XI: 212-8 (T Davies 57no, J Griffett 50, B Spear 27; K Ferriday 3-54, S Jones 2-23, J Gee 2-24)

MALPAS' FIVE WICKETS

The Centurions' 2nd XI made the short journey to Barry Island for the reverse fixture and came up second best.

Father and son Martin and Ashley Baker shared a marvellous fourth-wicket stand of 190 to put the hosts in a commanding position at halfway. Ashley reached 101 not out and Martin ended unbeaten on 82 as Barry posted 253 for three from their allotted 45 overs.

All the Centurions' bowlers took a bit of a hammering, with only Harri Edwards (1-31), Emma Davies (1-42) and Nick Jones (1-44) having any success.

Centurions' reply got off to a poor start after skipper Dave Sylvester departed for just two. Munim Khan (13) was next to go with the score on 28 before Ricky Griffett and Nick Jones gave the visitors some hope with an entertaining third-wicket partnership of 56 before the latter was bowled by Davies for 16.

Griffett went on to reach 67 before he became the first of five victims for Scott Malpas with the score on 123 for four and then Mark Burnett was the victim of a freak accident when the ball rebounded off the top of his bat and crashed into his nose, necessitating a spell off the field for running repairs.

After Tom Pascoe contributed 20 and a couple of lower order ducks, Burnett returned to hit 16 before Malpas, who took five for 16, claimed his wicket with the score on 160. Only one more run was added before the the last wicket fell in the 42nd over and Athletic were 92-run winners.

BARRY ATHLETIC 2nd XI: 253-3 (A Baker 101no, M Baker 82no)

SULLY CENTURIONS 2nd XI: 161 all out (R Griffett 67, T Pascoe 20; S Malpas 5-16)

WEEKEND TEAMS

1st XI v Brecon (away): L Bruce, B Callow, T Davies, S Ellis, B Spear, T Edwards, N Cuddihy, A Sylvester, J Griffett, D Chalk, O Sullivan and G Sullivan. Players are asked to be at the ground for a 10.45am departure, with the bus picking up at Culverhouse Cross if needed. Courier for the day is Mick Fisher.

2nd XI v Dinas Powys (Sully at 12 noon): From D W Sylvester, N Jones, R Griffett, T Pascoe, J Hayer, M Burnett, J Bryan, A Gilliatt, E Davies, P Harrison, R Bennett, L Pike, H Edwards, M Khan and S Morse.

Sunday XI: From J Griffett, R Griffett, M Fisher, E Davies, N Jones, J Hayer, T Pascoe, J T Sylvester, C Sleeth, J Bryan, L Pike, D Chalk, B Spear, L Bruce, S Ellis, T Edwards, J Brazzi and A Lewis.