Spartans see off Whitchurch but throw it away against Lisvane (From Penarth Times)

Spartans see off Whitchurch but throw it away against Lisvane

10:14am Thursday 26th July 2012 in Sport

SULLY Spartans Cricket Club skipper Hickin made the right call as he won the toss and elected to field against a strong Xenon Whitchurch side.

Opening bowlers Akash (1-13) and Morgan (1-12) restricted the batsmen to only 26 off the first six overs, while Raj (1-13) and Varun (1-18) maintained the stranglehold. With Xenon at 58 off 12 overs, the Spartans were hoping to keep the opposition to under 100 but the later bowlers took a bit of a pasting and 60 came off the last eight overs. Xenon eventually reached 118 for six from their 20 overs.

Spartans reversed the batting order to give everyone a game and it was Raymond and Qais who took the accolades with a partnership of 72. The former hit 36 and his young partner fell two short of his maiden Spartans' 50, being bowled on 48 just three short of the winning total. Avinash hit the winning runs with a well timed four and victory for the Spartans by five wickets.

Xenon Whitchurch: 118-6 (Morgan 1-13, Raj 1-13, Akash 1-14) Sully Spartans: 119-5 (Qais 48, Raymond 36) 

Sully Spartans have learnt that the game is not won until the last bowl is bowled. The realisation that, when you have a team at 128 for eight and lose, you have taken the foot off the pedal and there can be no excuses, as was the 10 minutes of silence after a very sobering defeat against Lisvane.

The Spartans will always put in fair reports of games in victory or defeat and this, hopefully, will act as a springboard as you cannot take anything for granted; this defeat will bring the team back to earth which may not be a bad thing.

The Spartans won the toss and elected to bat but the usually dependable Morgan and Varun went cheaply to poor shots and Srikant Avinash and Qais did the same when they all looked likely to hit a good score.

Four batsmen - Raj top scoring with 46, Raymond (23) Akash (19) and Loran (26 not out) gave the Spartans a reasonable 197 for nine off the 40 overs.

In response, Lisvane were on the ropes at 80 for six in 24 overs after Morgan, Loran, Akash and Varun (four for 32) pegged the batsman back.

At 128 for eight, the hard work had been done, the game looked over and the Spartans' fielders decided to lap up the sun and drop catches, misfield and, basically, show a total lack of professionalism which, in fairness to Lisvane, they took full advantage of and with a ninth-wicket partnership of 70 won the game with three balls to spare. And well done to them.

Sully Spartans: 197 for 9 (Raj 46, Loran 26 not out) Lisvane: 198 for 8

The Spartans family day out will be at the away game at Monkswood on Sunday, August 19.

The electronic scoreboard is now available for members to have a practice on in readiness for next season and, no, you do not need '0' level maths to work it. If members wish to have a go contact the secretary at the Grill.