SULLY Centurions Cricket Club started the 2018 season with two home friendly matches.

On Saturday the visitors were touring side Kensington & Chelsea, who were making their first ever visit to Burnham Avenue.

Centurions batted first and, after losing the early wicket of Gareth Thomas, Rhett Jones and Ben Spear put on 46 for the second wicket before Ben was caught off the bowling of Rodrigo for 22.

Rhett Jones continued to find the boundary as he and Lloyd Bruce shared a stand of 64.

He was eventually bowled by Jain, but not before he had reached an entertaining 70, including 15 boundaries.

Once Rhett was out the run rate dropped and some more cheap wickets fell.

Bruce was out for 32, which was the same score that Patrick Lane reached before being the last man out – eventually falling victim to Essa. Jain, with 4 for 18, was easily the pick of the bowlers. The final Sully total was 184 all out.

After tea the visitors started slowly and lost two batsmen with just 12 on the board, both wickets falling to Gareth Thomas. But a fine third wicket partnership between Sharik and Anirban (who made 38) took the score along to 87 for 3.

Then three wickets fell for just 10 runs to put Centurions in the driving seat, with the visitors struggling at 97 for 6.

However, a classy innings of 47 from Nathan, along with the steady Sharik, gave Kensington some hope.

When Shaik eventually went for 48 it looked as though Sully were in control. But last man Nis kept his nerve to take the game to the final ball with three runs required.

With nothing to lose he went for the big hit and it came off, the ball sailed over the boundary rope, giving the visitors victory by one wicket.

Skipper Jake Griffet posted figures of 5 for 24 to be Centurions’ best bowler in an entertaining match that was played in good spirits.

Sully Centurions 184 all out Kensington & Chelsea 188 for 9

On Sunday Lisvane were the opponents, with Sully winning the toss and putting the visitors in to bat.

Dan Chaulk enjoyed a fine opening spell, returning miserly figures of 0 for 8 off 8 overs, including four maidens.

Opening partner Bharrat took the wickets of both of the Lisvane opening batsmen, eventually finishing on 2 for 18.

Lisvane didn’t recover from their poor start and only three men went on to score double figures – the pick of the batsmen was Ashraf, who hit 24.

David Goodway, with 3 for 15, Luke Canter (2 for 25) and Jake Griffett, who followed up Saturday’s 5 wicket haul with an impressive 3 for 5, were the other wicket takers, as Lisvane were bowled out for 123.

Centurions, though, didn’t have everything their own way and lost some cheap wickets before Goodway (42) Ricki Griffett (21) and Lloyd Bruce (21) took the game away from Lisvane, leaving Luke Canter and Dan Chaulk to see Sully home by three wickets, in the 29th over.

For Lisvane, Bradbury, with 3 for 27, was the most successful of the bowlers.

Once again, the game was played in an excellent spirit by both sides.

Sully Centurions 124 for 7 Lisvane 123 all out

Two more friendlies have been arranged for this weekend and players are requested to look at the Centurions Facebook page for details.