SULLY Centurions Cricket Club played host to Newport III at Burnham Avenue and ran out comfortable winners, by 7 wickets.

After winning the toss, skipper Rhett Jones put the visitors in.

This soon proved to be a good decision as the first wicket fell with just 8 runs on the board.

This set the tone for the innings, with wickets falling at regular intervals. At 60 for 6 things were looking bleak for the visitors, but Raza (44) and Farid put on 41 to take the score to 101 before Farid fell, having contributed 22 runs.

Then normal service was resumed and the innings closed with the score on 135 all out. Opening bowler Nathan Cuddihy continued with his recent run of impressive form, returning figures of 3 for 20 off his 9 overs. There were two wickets apiece for Lloyd Bruce, Ricki Griffett and Rhett Jones, with one for Gareth Thomas. Calum Thomas took five catches behind the stumps in an impressive performance by the home side.

After tea Centurions went about their business swiftly. After the loss of Patrick Lane for 12, with the score on 36, Rhett Jones (46) and Dan Chaulk (51) took Sully to the brink of victory before both fell to the bowling of de Silva. It was left to Gethin Hicks (6 not out) and Calum Thomas (11 not out) to see Centurions home in the 24th over. For Newport, de Silva, with 2 for 11, was the standout bowler.

Sully Centurions 137-3 Newport III 135 all out

The Second XI travelled to Corntown to face league leaders Vale CC. After winning the toss, Vale batted first and had reached 30 when Jake Griffett took the wicket of Kelland for 13. It was 45 for 2 when Griffett again struck, this time the victim was Andrews (22).

Nick Jones chipped in with a wicket when Merry was trapped LBW for 14, with the score on 72. It became 88 for 4 when Francis became Griffett’s third victim, going for 22. This brought together Sheppard and Clewley, who transformed the innings with an impressive partnership of 104 for the fifth wicket.

Clewley eventually departed for a well made 68, when he was bowled by Pete Beddard. A couple of late wickets for Beddard and Jason Hicks brought the innings to a close on 204 for 7. Sheppard was the not out batsman, narrowly missing out on a half century by one run.

The Centurions innings got off to the best of all starts with openers Kieron Ferriday and Jason Hicks finding the boundary with regularity. The partnership was to reach 160 before Hicks was bowled for a 63 by Merry. Ferriday was eventually out for a well made 80, being caught behind off the bowling of Kelland with the score on 188. Nick Jones (23 not out) and Dave Morgan (6 not out) took Centurions to victory in the 37th over.

Vale II 204-7 Sully Centurions II 207-2

This Saturday the 1st XI play Vale 1st XI (away) and the seconds host Christchurch at Burnham Avenue. Once again players are asked to let their captains know their availability.