SULLY Centurions had another topsy turvy weekend with some fine league performances, but losing out in the Twenty/20 Cup Final at the Swalec Stadium on Sunday.

On Saturday, in the league match at Bridgend, Centurions gained revenge for the opening day defeat by their opponents, with a winning draw and the lion’s share of the points. Batting first without the injured Ryan Sylvester, Sully had Will Bragg (33) and the in-form Lloyd Smith (66) to thank for building up a significant total.

Middle order contributions from Chris Thorne (25) Tom Evison (21) and Daniel Rowe (18) kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely. Skipper Jamie Sylvester was 34 not out at the end of the 50 overs as Centurions finished on 239 for 8.

The Bridgend innings was barely into its second over when former Sully player David Goodway was yorked by Daniel Rowe for a duck. This was followed immediately by the wicket of Glamorgan’s Mike Powell (who had also played for Centurions last season) for another duck. However, the partnership of Wadlan (39) and Humphries (38) was worth 80 runs to the home side. But of the remaining batsmen only Baker, who was not out 53, was able to make any headway against the Sully attack, for whom Lloyd Bruce took 3 for 26, including the wicket of another former Centurions player, Andrew Davies, for 1. Two wickets each for Dan Rowe and Tom Evison and one for Jamie Sylvester left the Bridgend side hanging on for the draw at the end.

Bridgend 199-8; Sully 239-8.

SECONDS

CENTURIONS 2nd XI entertained Bridgend on what turned out to be a humbling day for them. Skipper Matthew Thomas won the toss and decided to bat first on a very warm afternoon and, as in the opening game of the season, they crumbled.

Centurions reached 22 before losing the wicket of Rhett Jones for 5, chasing a wide one off the bowling of Tom Pearce, and being caught behind. Then there was a partnership of 46 before Matthew Thomas, who had hit a quickfire 34 including two huge 6s, was caught off the bowling of Pearce, who ripped through the heart of the Sully innings as the score went from 68 for 2 to 116 all out, losing 8 wickets for 48 runs and 4 wickets for 1 run.

First to go was Ellis for 27 stumped off Osbourne, and he was followed by Callow 1, Rose 9, Williams 20, Sullivan 0 and Miller 0, all to the bowling of Sam Pearce who finished with 6 for 36.

The other wickets were the run out of James Haswell and that of Ben Spear, who is starting to show his maturity. Ben scored 13, another good knock from the young man.

Sully really needed to take early wickets but were unable to as the visitors lost only 2 wickets in their quest for the target - Stanton for 10, bowled by the ever improving Ben Callow and Spreadbury for 26, brilliantly caught by Matthew Thomas off the bowling of Rhett Jones. Bridgend reached their total of 117 for 2 with 32 overs to spare, with opener Ian Henry not out 42. The pick of the Sully bowlers were veteran Don Sylvester, whose 3 overs cost just 7 runs and Ben Callow, whose 9 overs cost 32 runs for 1 wicket.

Sully 116 all out. Thomas 34, Ellis 27, Williams 20. S Pearce 6-36.

Bridgend 117-2. Henry 42 not out, Spreadbury 26. B Callow 1-32.

THIRDS

THE 3rds hosted Panteg at Wenvoe and came away with an impressive 8 wicket victory thanks to a very good all round team performance. The visitors batted first and although no early wickets fell, they found the going tough against the Sully attack. Once the breakthrough had been made the wickets began to tumble. Nathan Cuddihy picked up 3 for 28 and Nick Jones a remarkable 3 for 7 – ably backed by Liam Bennett (1 for 35) and Sam Banga (2 for 8) as well as good support in the field – and the Panteg innings came to an end on 86 after just 25 overs.

In response Nick Jones and Max Pryce wasted no time chasing down the target. Nick was eventually lbw to Joshi for 34, but Max carried his bat for 39 and the total was achieved in the 23rd over. A great win which has set Centurions up well to progress up the league table in the second half of the season.

Sully 87-2; Panteg 86 all out.

FOURTHS

THE 4ths travelled to Panteg for a league encounter. With regular skipper Mick Fisher away on wedding duties, Paul Harrison once again stepped up and came away with a fantastic win.

Terry Sylvester and Luke Burnett set the tone with an opening stand of 71. Terry went for 12 and Luke eventually fell for a very good 31. But the undoubted batting hero was Peter Barnett, who achieved his very first half century. He was eventually bowled by Jenkins for a marvellous 63, which included 11 boundaries. Mark Burnett (34) and Geoff Kingston (16 not out) kept the runs flowing and by the time the 45 overs were complete Centurions had reached 222 for 9. The wickets were spread out between Jenkins, Evans and Pepper, who took 3 each.

It didn’t take long for Sully to start chalking up the wickets. In the fourth over Scott McMillan had McMahon trapped lbw for just 3 and in the very next over Josh Bryan bowled Edwards for 4 to leave the hosts on 14 for 2. A stubborn fight back gave Panteg some hope as Jenkins and White took the score along to 85 for the third wicket before Jenkins was caught by Mark Burnett off the bowling of son Luke for 38. Only White showed any more resistance and he went on to make a very good 51 not out as the rest of the wickets tumbled around him. The Centurions bowlers shared the wickets around – Luke Burnett and Lewis Cuddihy picked up two wickets, with one each for Josh Bryan, Scott McMillan, Iwan Baker and Mark Burnett. The Panteg total was 92 runs short of the target and the innings closed in the 36th over.

Panteg 130 all out; Sully 222-9.

CUP FINALS

ON Sunday Centurions took part in the Swalec Premier League Twenty/20 finals at the Swalec Stadium, Cardiff, and ended as runners-up.

In the first semi-final Sully trounced Ynysygerwn by 80 runs. Lloyd Smith hit a fantastic 77 from 55 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes as Centurions enjoyed themselves in the sun.

Good support from Owen Dawkins 10 and Gareth Sullivan 11, with 20 from Tom Evison and a fine 29 not out by Daniel Rowe took the score along to 161-4 after the 20 overs.

In response the West Wales side was unable to get any momentum going. Only Howell 25 and Lloyd 14 had any answer to the accurate bowling. Wickets fell with regularity as the Centurion bowlers began turning the screw.

Tom Evison came away with 4-22 with great work by Dan Rowe 2-10, a wicket each for Jamie Sylvester, Lloyd Bruce and Owen Dawkins, along with a run out, meaning that Ynysygerwn were skittled out for just 81 in 17 overs.

Sully 161-4; Ynysygerwn 81 all out.

The final was a different affair altogether. Opponents Ammanford batted first and lost an early wicket when Daniel Rowe bowled Evans for 1 with the score on 6.

Tom Evison dismissed Davies in the 6th over to leave Ammanford on 23-2. But a 3rd wicket stand of 39 from Salter and Harries 22, and a marvellous 4th wicket partnership of 66 between Salter 59 and Evans 30 not out helped the score along to 134-4 after 20 overs.

Dan Rowe 2-20 along with Tom Evison 1-28 and Lloyd Bruce 1-28 were the wicket takers.

Some early wickets meant that Centurions were always playing catch up. By the 7th over Sully were in trouble at 35-4. In spite of a bit of a recovery that saw Dan Rowe top scoring with 29, and Jamie Sylvester 12, Gareth Davies 13 and Lloyd Smith 13 helping the cause, there was to be no repeat of last year's victory as Centurions ended 16 runs short.

Ammanford 134-4; Sully 118 all out.

TEAMS

Line-ups for this Saturday:

1st XI v Pontarddulais at Sully: J Sylvester, R Sylvester, D Rowe, L Smith, T Evison, L Bruce, M O'Shea, W Bragg, R Clitheroe, D Eskins, G Sullivan, C Thorne.

2nd XI v Pontarddulais away: M Thomas, R Jones, S Ellis, H Williams, G Davies, S Rehan, J Haswell, L O'Sullivan, O Sullivan, M Hayes, T Williams.

3rd XI v Mountain Ash, leave Sully Inn 11.45am, from: J Wooden, D W Sylvester, M Pryce, N Jones, R Griffett, S Banga, B Spear, N Cuddihy, L Bennett, D Thacker, H Miller, D P Sylvester, C Sleeth.

4th XI v Chepstow, at Rhoose, from: M Fisher, P Harrison, J T Sylvester, L Burnett, J Bryan, M Burnett, G Stone, G Kingston, I Baker, P Barnett, L Cuddihy, P Fisher, D Edmunds, T Edwards, L Jones, T Davies, A Langrish.

All players available for a friendly at Sully contact Dave Sylvester.

The 1st XI travel to Swansea for the Welsh Cup Group Final on Sunday.