Dinas Dumped
On Saturday Centurions batted first on a rock hard wicket and lightning fast outfield amassing a total of 289 for 2, with Rhett Jones and David Goodway being in fine end of season form.
Jones, with a superb 87 was outdone by Dave Goodway who finished on 115 not out with a masterful innings.
Nick Jones was playing his last weekend of cricket for Centurions before he leaves the area. Nick hit a blistering 56 not out, pulling yet another muscle and requesting a runner which was duly refused.
Dinas Powys, in reply, were never going to reach the big target and lost wickets at regular intervals against the seven bowlers used.
It was pleasing to see the return of Able Seaman Rose, home on leave from the Navy, making his season's debut, and hopefully more will be seen of him next year.
Bandaru with 52 top scored for Dinas as they were all out for 158. Goodway rounded off a good day with 3 wickets as did Lloyd Bruce. Lee Jones bowled a nice tidy line and he, too will be missed next year
Centurions 289/2 Dinas Powys 158 all out
Season Ends with Big Win
Sunday was the last game of the season as once again Centurions batting matched the bright weather. Goodway certainly likes September and he recorded yet another century (139 not out) as Sully reached 247 for 5 in 40 overs.
Barry Wanderers reply was centred around the King brothers, GA King's 87 and GE King with 61 giving some substance to the reply, but they could only reach 200 for 8 by the end of the 40 overs.
Centurions 248/5 Barry Wanderers 200/8
Minstrel Mayhem!
The 2nd ‘Dave Fisher Memorial Trophy’ match between Sully Centurions and Dave's old team, the Minstrel Taverners, from Birmingham took place on a fine sunny day at Burnham Avenue. After ‘winning’ the imaginary toss, skipper Mick Fisher opened the batting for Centurions along with David Goodway, who hit two boundaries in the first over, setting the tone for the rest of the innings. After Mick went for 9 (once again succumbing to the tricky straight ball) Adam Gilliatt put on 24 with Goodway before departing for 8, with the score on 47.
Matthew Fisher, playing his second game in 12 months, stuck around for 5 overs when he became the first of Hannon’s 4 victims, being bowled for 5. Paul Fisher hit a boundary with his first scoring shot but was then bowled by Hannon. Ricky Griffett came and went without troubling the scorers, as Hannon claimed another wicket in the same over. At 69 for 5 things were starting to look a bit shaky for Centurions, however David Goodway kept showing everyone else how it should be done and the next wicket (Gethin Stone) didn’t fall until 97 runs were on the board. Lloyd Bruce and Goodway put on 25 for the seventh wicket and when Lloyd was stumped off the last ball of the innings for 3 runs, the score had moved onto 122, with Goodway not out 78.
MINSTREL TAVERNERS
After tea (and the traditional Minstrels’ wine circle) John Wooden kicked off proceedings for Centurions with a tight opening over, then the Minstrels' first pair, Simon Tanley and Lampitt, put on 12 for the first wicket, before Adam Gilliatt bowled Simon for a duck. Gethin Stone picked up a couple of wickets and Ricky Griffett got the first of his two before James Fisher hit uncle Mick for a six straight back over his head and into the gardens, on his way to becoming the Minstrels’ top scorer with 14. Then, after Matt Fisher had bowled an ‘interesting’ over that cost 14 runs, Paul Fisher came on for the over that swung the game firmly back in Centurions’ favour. He removed James and Tom Fisher in successive balls and then completed a triple wicket maiden with the fourth ball of the over, with the wicket of Hawkeye. Minstrels had now slumped to 60 for 6. Jig Doyle, the Minstrels’ skipper, was next to go for 13, with the score on 80.
Centurions used ten bowlers in all and utilised the wicket keeping ‘talents’ of three players. Quimby acquitted himself reasonably well behind the stumps, but Mick Fisher couldn't live up to his brother's legendary keeping abilities as he found it difficult to bend down! The third keeper, Terry Williams, took a smart catch to remove Rob Doyle and provide Paul Fisher with his 4th wicket for just 5 runs. Then Adam Gilliatt bowled Compo for 5 and the innings closed on 94 all out.
CENTURIONS
Then it was up to the Sully Inn to enjoy the remainder of the evening over a shandy or three! This was another great occasion, which was once again played in a great spirit and raised over £150 for the John Taylor Hospice in Birmingham, which was where Dave spent his final weeks. Many thanks to Dave Sylvester, Caroline Williams and Jemima Sylvester for doing the teas, rattling the collection tins and organising the raffle etc. Thanks to Terry Williams for providing some nice raffle prizes. Thanks also to Brucie and Doely for umpiring, to Clive for scoring and everyone else, including family and friends, for turning up to support and contribute. Minstrels know they are most welcome to return to play any time they wish.
Sully Centurions 122 for 7 Minstrel Taverners 94 all out
For more photos of the event click here
Panned at Panteg!
A Centurion team comprising a mixture of 3rds, 4ths and a few 2nd XI players travelled up the M4 for this end of season friendly and were well beaten by a strong Panteg side. Matthew Thomas and Rhett Jones opened the batting and looked comfortable until Matt was caught out on 12. David 'Quimby' Goodway joined Rhett and both scored freely against the home attack before Rhett departed for 32 and Quimby for 62. As is often the case a big middle order collapse followed and with Mick Fisher going down following some sniper activity, the tail most certainly did not wag. So, after a promising start, the Centurions total of 167 all out was always going to be a difficult one to defend.
And so it proved. Opener Bird hit an impressive 66, comfortably supported by Taylor, with 43 and former 1st class county player Bukhari got 32 as the Panteg side reached the target with plenty of overs to spare for the loss of just two wickets - one each for Ricky Griffett and Lloyd Bruce.
Panteg 168/2. Centurions 167 all out. For Scorecard Click Here
Centurions Lord it at the Manor!
Centurions visited Miskin Manor for a friendly on Sunday and won by 36 runs. Batting first, Rhett Jones soon put bat to ball in a quickfire 39 but the partnership of the innings was between the flippant Shane Ellis 66 and 'big-un' Nick Jones 47, giving Sully a total of 183.
Miskin lost 2 early wickets to Don 'Shuffle' Sylvester and only a fine 68 from Hayes held Centurions up, as Rhett Jones, with 4 wickets for 24 and Lloyd Bruce (3 for 28) did enough to bowl the home side out for 147.
Miskin Manor 147 all out Centurions 183
Big Win at Sully
On Sunday, at Sully, in contrasting weather to Saturday, Centurions batted first against Rogerstone and although losing last week's century maker, Ian Nicolson, for a duck, they soon had the scoreboard ticking along with Owain Lovering and Rhett Jones sharing a stand of 120 for the second wicket.
Owain was bowled for 52 with the score on 120, and Christian Bruce joined Rhett, taking the score to 149 before Jones was caught for 62. Christian and Shae Ellis added 47 runs, with Brucey retiring on 47. Shae was caught for 24 as Centurions posted a useful score of 226 at the end of their 40 overs on a slow Sully track.
Rogerstone's reply did not get off to a very good start as Lewis Doel captured 2 early wickets, reducing them to 17-2. Then a 105 run partnership between Trinder and Nel took the visitors to 122, before 6 wickets tumbled for just the addition of 1 run and the game as a contest was over.
Nel, with a very hard hitting 73, top scored for the visitors and Trinder, with a solid 60 not out, gave the total respectability, finishing on 178-8 to give Sully a comfortable 48 run victory.
Centurions 226/4 Rogerstone 178/8.
It's The Zimbo Show!
After the cup dramas of the previous two Sundays it was back to some relaxing friendly cricket at Burnham Avenue, with the visit of Penydarren CC.
Batting first on a day that always threatened rain, the opening Centurions pair of Ian Nicolson and Shae Ellis set about the visiting attack with gusto. Ian was the aggressor, with no fewer than 16 fours and 8 sixes in his fantastic innings of 151 (retired). One particular six bounced off the roof of one of the houses before disappearing from view. Shae was stumped just three runs short of a half century. This was followed by some quick run scoring from Nick Jones (14) Dave Goodway (10) and Lloyd Bruce (10) before the innings came to an end on a very healthy looking 277 for 5.
After a sumptious Suzie Sylvester tea, during which the rain came down, the Penydarren batsmen came out to face the bowling of Herbie Miller and David Goodway. Herbie was on fire, with some great accurate bowling to return figures of 3 for 25 off his 8 overs. The visitors were 65 for 4 after 16 overs and it was looking like an easy visctory was on the cards. However, a great rearguard action saw Churchill and James put on 130 for the fifth wicket, when Churchill was out for 59. He was the first of four victims for Ian Nicolson, bowling well within himself, he was still too good for the Penydarren batsmen - returning figures of 4 for 15 off five overs.
A special mention must go to Tom Davies for taking two very good catches, including an extremely difficult one off the bowling of Liam Bennett to get rid of the dangerous James, who was out for a well taken 113.
The Penydarren total was 38 runs short of the target and Centurions ran out winners. Just as the teams were finishing the match the heavens opened again and gave the ground a good soaking.
Sully 277 for 5 Penydarren 239 all out
100 for Shae in Victory Over Old Pals
On Sunday at Sully a hastily rearranged friendly against Strollers (boasting plenty of Centurions past and presnt in their ranks) ended in a comfortable seven wicket victory for Sully.
Strollers batted first with Rhett Jones (29) and the never ageing Dave Fiddler with 53, being their main contributors in a total of 180 for 7.
Lewis Doel, with two wickets was the most successful Centurion bowler but the highlight of the afternoon was to follow as Shae Ellis scored his maiden century, with Ian Nicolson also getting his highest score since arriving from Zimbabwe (32).
Centurions coasted to victory by 7 wickets in an enjoyable friendly.
Centurions 181 for 3 Strollers 180 for 7
Young Side Beaten at Burnham Avenue
A side containing mostly young players (with the obvious exception of Dave and Don Sylvester and Mick Fisher!) faced the early season tourers of Worcester Council on a day that started rainy but ended in sunshine.
Centurions batted first, with Nick Jones and Lloyd Bruce getting us off to a good start before Nick was out for 9. The quick exit of Shae Ellis, who was caught after facing only a couple of deliveries, was followed by a steady procession of batsmen. Top scorer for Centurions was Adam Gilliatt, who was 37 not out at the end, when the score was 134 for 9.
After one of Suzie's special teas the visitors went in to bat and were soon in disarray. The bowling of John Wooden and Lloyd Bruce brought 3 wickets before a run out left Worcester CC reeling at 40 for 4. Then a match-changing partnership saw the visitors reaching 120 for 5 and the target was soon reached, with plenty of overs to spare.
Sully 133 for 9 Worcester County Council 134 for 5
Defeat for Centurions at Hands of UCCE
The 1st XI suffered a defeat at Burnham Avenue at the hands of Cardiff UCCE. The students batted first and put the Centurion attack to the sword in the opening ten overs. However, the bowlers put the breaks on and made scoring much more difficult in the middle section of the match.
The latter stages saw a return to the vsitors' free scoring ways - they were given some assistance by some fielding lapses, including a couple of dropped catches that may have made all the difference. UCCE ended on a very healthy 290 for 7.
Sully's response was initially a good one, with Ryan Sylvester leading the charge with a well made 80. Unfortunately, in spite of some heroics by the middle order, the target was out of reach and the Centurion total of 250 was respectable, but not enough.
The league season commences next Saturday - so let's hope this match has blown the early season cobwebs away.
Sully 250 ao UCCE 290/7 Big Score, But Defeat at Newport for 2nd XI
Sully seconds suffered a 4 wicket reverse on Sunday at the hands of Newport Asians.
Despite an excellent batting performance lead by Rhett Jones 71 retired, Matt Thomas 40, Richard Jones 38, and Ben Horlock 31, Newport Asians guided by former St Fagan's, Miskin and Pentyrch 1st XI all-rounder Mohsin Arif saw the home team overhaul the target of 284 with more than 10 overs to go.
Mohsin rode his luck to score an amazing 188 not out, sparing none of the bowlers from his destruction. Terry Williams and Steve Hood both picked up two wickets apiece and there were encouraging signs from Huw Williams during his first bowl of the year.
The seconds have now scored over 500 runs in their two innings of the year and go into next Saturday's league fixture in a confident state of mind.
All players are asked to make the effort to attend nets on Wednesday ahead of the team selection for Saturday.
Newport Asians 285/6 Sully 284/9
Winning Start for Centurions
The 2009 season got underway with an emphatic 48 run victory over Abercynon. The side was mainly second XI players, with a couple of first team regulars and one or two 3rd XI stalwarts.
Batting first Centurions suffered an early setback with the run out of Shae Ellis for 1. However, entertaining half centuries from Ryan Sylvester (76) and Rhett Jones (59) got us back on track. Both batsmen retired, whic allowed some more people to get in some early season practice. A nice 43 from Matt Thomas, with 22 from Owain Lovering and 19 from Ben Horlock followed by a nice little cameo of 15 from young Daniel Chaulk helped the total along to 249 for 6 at the close of the innings.
The visitors gave it their all, with half centuries for Imtyaz and Taylor and a 42 from Jones, but some tight bowling from veteran Terry Williams (soon to celebrate the big 50) and sixteen year old Lloyd Bruce kept the score down. Terry took a miserly 2 for 10 and Lloyd bagged three wickets for 30 as Abercynon were left on 201 for 5 after the 40 overs.
So, another season is successfully underway – let’s hope we can keep achieving positive results.
Centurions 249/6 Abercynon 201/5
Easter Sunday Victory at Panteg
The 1st XI commenced their 2009 season with a 4 wicket victory in a low scoring match at Panteg.
The home side batted first on a damp track and found it hard going. New boy Richard Reddy (3 for 42) and skipper Jamie Sylvester (2 for 5) were Centurions' main success stories with the ball as Panteg were skittled out for just 120.
The Sully reply wasn't a walk in the park, however, as the batsmen found the conditions just as difficult as the home side did. However, the combined efforts of Ryan Sylvester (39) Richard Reddy (37 not out to add to his impressive bowling) and one of the other newcomers Richard Jones (21) saw Sully home with four wickets to spare.
Panteg 120 ao Sully 124/6
Sully Centurions CC - Friendly/Cup Matches 2009
(Sundays except where indicated)April
11th (Sat) Sully 249/6 Abercynon 201/5
12th Panteg 120ao Sully 124/6
18th (Sat) Sully 250 ao UCCE 290/7
19th Newport Asians 285/6 Sully 284/9
26th Sully 133/9 Worcester Council 134/5May
3rd Swansea 179/7 Sully 180/9 (Nat KO Cup) (A)
10th Sully 181/3 Strollers 180/7
24th Tondu 141/9 Sully 220/4 (Welsh Cup)
31st Hatherley & Reddings (Nat KO Cup) (H)June
7th Radyr (A) Off
14th Frocester (a) National KO Cup
21st Cardiff (a) Welsh Cup
28th Bath CC (a) National KO Cup
July5th Sully 277/5 Penydarren 239 all out
12th Sully 226/4 Rogerstone 178/8
19th Cardiff Casuals (H) OFF
23rd (Thursday) Sully 117 all out Harting CC 220
28th (Tuesday) East Malden CC (H) OFFAugust
2nd Sully 178 all out Bagborough 179 for 2
9th Dinas Powys (A) OFF
16th Miskin Manor 147 all out Sully 183 all out
23rd – 26th TOUR
23rd Crowcombe 184/3 Sully 183/8
24th Sampford Arundel 289/8 Centurions 164 all out
25th Stogumber 185 all out Centurions 190/9
30th Westbury (H) OFFSeptember
6th Panteg 168/2 Sully 167 all out
13th Cross Keys (A) OFF
19th (Sat) Sully 122/7 Minstrel Taverners 94 all out The Dave Fisher Memorial Trophy
20th Sponsors' Day Match - Wales XI 209 - England XI 208
26th Sully 289/2 Dinas Powys 158 all out
27th Sully 248/5 Barry Wanderers 200/8
30th April 2006
The game at Creigiau was reduced to 35 overs due to the fact that we only had 8 men and Creigiau only had 9 - this is a poor state of affairs when we have potentially so many players to choose from. After winning the toss we batted first and were going along steadily when Terry Bulge ran out opening partner Owain Sullivan like the proverbial dog (Loose's comments were 'colourful' to say the least!) Enter deadly Dougy who steadied the ship with a responsible innings. JT played down the wrong line and was comprehensively bowled for just 5 after 18 overs - it was time for some bat swinging. Enter Brucie who pushed things along as he reached 22 before skying a full toss to midwicket. Piehead came and went for a huge 2, followed by a couple of nice innings' from Lewis Doel and Jacob Stone. With Don (36*) and Mick Fisher (1!*) at the crease we saw the overs out to end on 95 for 6.
Mick Fisher and Lewis Doel got the bowling underway and Lewis made the breakthrough when the webmaster pulled off (even if I do say so myself) a stunning catch to dismiss the opener Taylor for 6. Two overs later Mick saw Don, Brucie and Owain (behind the sticks) drop catches of varying degrees of difficulty off three successive balls. The Legend's 6th and final over saw him slapped all over the parish and seriously knackered both his figures and any chance we may have had of winning. Jacob Stone picked up a wicket with a beautiful ball but it was too little too late and Creigiau reached the target with plenty of overs left.
Creigiau 96/2 Sully 95/6
23rd April 2006 We Beat the Weather, But Not The Opposition!
On a dull, rain affected day, we entertained Bedwas in the friendliest of friendlies. Batting first Centurions reached 135 for 7 off the reduced 35 overs, with the main batting honours going to Nathan Gage, who hit 70 before retiring. John Gee entertained with a swashbuckling 19 towards the end of the innings.
In reply the Bedwas team had no similar star, but had a few more players who chipped in with runs. The G Force was his usual economic self and bowled 8 overs for just 14 runs. The star of the show for Sully, however, was young Lewis Doel who bowled six overs for figures of 3/27, including a caught and bowled, when the Bedwas batsman, Weston, hit the ball against his own head and it looped up for Lewis to catch it. Lloyd Bruce was rewarded for his efforts when he clean bowled the Bedwas number 6 batsman with the first ball of his 3rd over. But we let it slip in the final few overs when the Chuckle Brothers provided us with a few laughs (and the opposition with a few runs!) The game ended in the visitors' favour with 4 overs still to go. Your webmaster spent 33 overs in the scorebox and the entire Bedwas innings fielding as far away from the action as possible
Then it was off to the Sully Inn to let everyone admire my new T shirt!
Final Score: Sully 135/7 Bedwas 136/6
16th April 2006 It's All Academic For Centurions!
The visit of Glamorgan CCC Academy to Burnham Avenue gave Sully an early season opportunity to test the strength in depth of the 1st XI squad. Batting first, Centurions lost a couple of early wickets before skipper Jamie Sylvester (84) and Mike Newbold (59) came together in a 160 run partnership. Gareth Sullivan added 24 as the home side ended on 216/5 after the allotted 45 overs.
In reply the Academy batsmen all contributed to a spirited attempt to reach the target, but Centurions (who used 7 bowlers) hung on for an 8 run victory at the end of the 45 overs. Pick of the Sully bowlers was Tom Evison who posted figures of 4/40.
Final Score - Sully 216/5 GLAMORGAN ACADEMY 208/9
Defeat in First Match of Season at Bomb Alley!!
Sully entertained Blackwood on a cold April afternoon at Burnham Avenue on the worst wicket seen at HQ in many a long year. To say it was green with uneven bounce is putting it mildly!
We batted first and both openers, Huw Smith and Gareth Sullivan, were back in the hutch very quickly. When Sam Docherty joined them the score was 30 for 3 and things looked bleak. Mick (never a dull moment) Fisher came and went without troubling the scorers. A fine innings from Ryan Sylvester restored some momentum and when he went the score was 66 for 5, with 44 coming from Rhino's bat. A quickfire 11 from Matt Thomas and late order contributions from David Goodway, Aaron Smith (who batted very correctly) and Huw Williams gave us some hope, but the last wicket (the Pieman) went at 119 with 4 overs still left. Skipper Terry Williams was left with nothing but red ink to show for his efforts!
After tea the Blackwood openers were assisted by the fielders being frozen to the spot and some presents from Gareth (No Ball!) Sullivan. Aaron Smith bowled a nice line and grabbed a wicket for his efforts, but the pick of the Sully bowlers was David (beach ball) Goodway, who picked up three wickets, in spite of being planted on the beach on two occasions! However, the target was reached with plenty of overs left and we all trooped off to the Sully Inn where, thankfully, there was a roaring fire in the hearth!
It's not the end of the world to lose a friendly in April with a side made up of a mix of abilities and ages, BUT the pitch is in dire need of sorting out AND QUICKLY!!