SULLY Centurions Cricket Club had a successful weekend with both first and second XIs recording victories against Pontymister & Cross Keys CC.

The 1st XI were at home, where the visitors won the toss and elected to bat on a sunny day.

However, although this was the logical thing to do, given the conditions, Pontymister were soon in all sorts of trouble.

Wickets for Kieron Ferriday, Lloyd Bruce and the diplomatic David Goodway, along with a run out, courtesy of the returning Tom Edwards, left them at 54 for 4. But a fifth wicket partnership between Ahmed and Asif took the score along to 125 before Asif fell to a Rhett Jones catch off the bowling of Bruce for 22.

The other wicket taker for Sully was Ricky Griffett, who had Ashraf caught by Calum Thomas for 23. Ahmed, who had controversially survived a stumping appeal when on 37, went on to score an unbeaten 118 and helped Pontymister to a healthy 234 for 6 after the 45 overs.

After tea, Rhett Jones (71) and Gethin Hicks(48) were in a hurry to chase down the target and they put on 110 for the first wicket.

After losing both openers and then Calum Thomas for a duck, Centurions picked up the pace again. Solid contributions from skipper Jake Griffett (20) Bruce (43) and Goodway (32) saw the target achieved with five overs to spare.

This leaves Centurions in third place, just three points behind second placed Hopkinstown.

Sully Centurions 235-6 Pontymister & Cross Keys 234-6

2nd XI

The 2nd XI travelled to Pontymister for the reverse fixture and after winning the toss and deciding to bat, lost some early wickets.

Russell Thomas (1) and Jason Hicks (5) were back in the pavilion with the score on just 15.

With a slow outfield not helping the cause, Centurions were finding it hard to get runs on the board.

Openers Morgan and Harvey were keeping a tight rein on things, backed up with some athletic fielding.

After Nicky Jones had departed for 25 and opener Steve Oram for a marathon 20, the score was 82 for 4, with just 12 overs left.

But, Harri Edwards, playing his first game since returning to Sully scored 29 not out. He and Aron Arthur (31) playing his first of the season, put on 35 in just four overs. Then Harri was joined by Mike Oatridge, who hit 31 and helped post a total of 163 for 6.

Pontymister & Cross Keys made a quick start to their reply, but after Nick Jones bowled Powell for 9, with the score on 25, the wickets started to fall.

A great run out, via a direct hit from Iwan Thomas, saw Brown leave for 18. Mole was next to depart, again off the bowling of Jones, but this time thanks to a catch from Dave Sylvester, to leave the home side on 44 for 3.

Seven runs later Edwards removed Dang for one. Then Turner (10) and Jones (13) put on 25 for the fifth wicket before both fell within five runs to leave Pontymister on 81 for 6.

Turner’s dismissal came courtesy of a great flying catch from Patrick Lane, off the bowling of Arthur.

Gittings (21) who had to use a runner, and Morgan (25) tried in vain to turn the tide, but the home side were eventually all out for 145, leaving Sully winners by 18 runs.

Nick Jones (2 for 19) and Iwan Thomas (2 for 18) returned the best figures for Centurions, with one wicket each for Lane, Arthur Edwards and Russell Thomas.

Centurions are now third – just three points behind Monmouth.

Pontymister & Cross Keys II 145 all out Sully Centurions II 163-6

This week sees Centurions play a double header against Creigiau, the seconds at home and the 1st XI are away. All players are reminded to let captains know of their availability.