AFTER Sully Centurions’ first and second XI league matches against Machen were called off due to a bereavement at Machen, a hastily arranged friendly was played against a joint Penarth third and fourth XI team at Burnham Avenue.

On a drizzly afternoon, Centurions batted first and were soon in trouble with the loss of some early wickets. With Sully at 33 for 3 Penarth had the upper hand, but a fourth wicket stand of 40 between Josh Bryan and Mike Oatridge steadied the ship, with Oatridge scoring an unbeaten 50 (his first for the club). The middle and lower order also put some impetus into the batting, with Jake Griffett hitting 42 not out and the Centurions innings closed on 219 for 7.

The visitors’ innings got off to a disastrous start, with Tarv Dhanjal taking two wickets in the first over. But a third wicket partnership of 68 between Van Dyke and Grossfils steadied the ship for Penarth.

Grossfils went on to hit 55, reaching his half century with a six. However, with Centurions using ten bowlers, the wickets began to fall and the required run rate started to climb. In the end the final score of 162 for 7 was well short of the target.

Sully Centurions 219-7 Penarth 162-7