Sully Spartans in the winning habit! (From Penarth Times)

Sully Spartans in the winning habit!

7:20am Thursday 13th September 2012 in Sport

FOR the seventh time in a row Sully Spartans won the toss, elected to field first - and yet again the decision proved the right one.

The Spartans’ final midweek game of the season was against WG in a lovely setting with Llandaff Cathedral overlooking.

On a sunny evening and a prompt 5.30pm start, both skippers agreed to play 20 overs (maximum 3 per bowler), and the game was over well before the late summer sun disappeared behind the large oak trees.

Russell Land and Varun opened the bowling for the Spartans and both WG opening batsmen struggled to get into their stride, and were both dismissed by the end of the allocated 3 overs per bowler.

At the end of the 6 overs WG were 24 for 2 with Varun 1-7 and Land 1-13.

Hickin and Karam were the next bowlers to stifle the batsmen, with Hickin unlucky not to take at least a wicket as 2 catches were dropped at cover. He had figures of 0-15. Karam did take a wicket finishing with figures of 1-9. This, coupled with an excellent run out from Rod Howe, restricted WG to 53 for 4 off 12 overs.

Youngster Humza continued his superb recent form of left arm seam bowling with the best figures of the night (1-3 off 3 overs), and Srikant (0-13) further restricted the total. Another excellent run ou,t this time from Krishna, ensured WG after 18 of the 20 overs were 69-6.

A further 10 runs and another run out in the last two overs gave WG a final total from the allotted 20 overs of 79-7, and the Spartans would need 80 for victory.

This may seem a small total but with the outfield grass long (only one four was scored in the WG innings), this would still need some application.

The opening Spartans pair of Morgan and Qais got off to a good start without taking any risks and the first wicket did not go down until Qais was adjudged lbw for 7 with the score on 42.

Krishna joined Morgan and they put on 20 taking the score to 62 before Krishna was bowled for 6. At the same time Morgan retired for a quickfire 35, and it was left to Howe (8no) and Varun (8no) to take the Spartans past the 80 winning total with 3 overs remaining.

Special mention to WG skipper Geoff Marlow who took 3 of the 4 Spartans wickets, finishing with figures of 3 for 15.

WG 79 for7; Sully Spartans 80 for 4.

Spartans win by 6 wickets.

 

Decision taken out of Spartans hands.

AFTER Tuesday who would have thought Sully Spartans would field first? What odds down the bookies?

Lisvane were the visitors to the Spartans home ground of Burnham Avenue on Sunday and after winning the toss the visitors elected to bat first and the Spartans would field first again.

Would the odds be on the Spartans side again? Well yes they would, and the amazing sequence continues to the last game of the season at home again at Burnham Avenue to Welsh Government. The ground, donated to the residents of Sully many years ago, was well populated with locals and with Lisvane bringing supporters of their own and this gave a jovial atmosphere.

On to the game and continuing from recent games skipper Morgan opened the bowling but with a different partner Srikant, and the end result was the same.

With a maximum of 6 overs per bowler, Morgan finished with 3 maidens, 2-10; and Srikant with 1 maiden, 1-21 - leaving Lisvane on 35-3 from 12 overs and struggling to to get a defendable total.

Vice skipper Mark Loran was not going to make it any easier for Lisvane and his figures read 1-13, coupled with Humza taking 1-26 from his overs.

After 24 overs Lisvane were on 80-5 and the Spartans knew that with a team like Lisvane they would need to keep the momentum going.

Mansoor and Saqib continued to restrict the attacking middle order batsman finishing with 1-17 and 1-16 respectively.

Midweek skipper Hickin would provide the spin bowling of the innings and finished with the excellent figures of 2-13 leaving Lisvane from the allocated 40 overs on 141-9.

In response the Spartans started in cavalier style with Raymond hitting 8 fours in a quickfire 36 as Rod Howe kept the other end ticking along (41 partnership).

Krishna then joined Howe and he took over the mantle of big hitter, smashing 34 in quick time (45 partnership) before being run out.

Howe was joined by youngster Humza but Howe was next to go although he had done his job and was well caught for a sound 25.

It was left to youngster Humza (15no) to hit the winning runs as Sully Spartans beat Lisvane by 5 wickets.

After the game all players and supporters from both sides went down the Seashore Grill for the customary infamous Grill buffet.

Lisvane 141-9 (D.Morgan 2-10, T.Hickin 2-13) Sully Spartans 142-5 (Raymond 36, Krishna 34, R. Howe 21, D.Morgan 18) Sully Spartans win by 5 wickets