31/7/10
Ton Up Chris is the Hero
Chris Thorne hit his first century for Sully as the 2nd XI got far the better of a winning draw against Ammanford at Burnham Avenue.
With Matt Thomas winning the toss and Centurions batting first, Chris Thorne and Shaz Rehan put on 100 for the first wicket when Shaz was unfortunately run out for 40. Gareth Sullivan joined Chris and they carried on the fun, adding an entertaining 70 for the second wicket before Chris was bowled by Evans on exactly 100. Vijay then had a great spell for the visitors, taking the wickets of Shae Ellis, Matt Thomas and Tom Evison to leave Centurions on 206 for 6. However, this brought Huw Williams and Owain Sullivan together and they remained unbeaten at the end, Huw on 55 and Owain on 31, taking Centurions along to a big 290 for 6 at the end of the 50 overs.
After tea, the Ammanford openers started well, with Jones (21) Culley (55) and Harvey (45) taking the score along to 127 for 3, with the game very much evenly balanced.
Then two quick wickets swung the game back to Centurions before Griffiths (25) and Maynard (27 not out) shared a stand of 41 for the fifth wicket. But with the target out of reach Ammanford dropped anchor and played out a draw. Matt Thomas tried everything to entice some rash shots from the visitors, but they weren't to be tempted. They eventually ended on 195 for 6, with Thomas (2 for 23) Gareth Sullivan (2 for 19) Tom Evison (1 for 25) and a run out being the wicket takers. There was also a very good 12 over spell of 0 for 27 from the ever improving Lloyd Bruce.
Sully 290 for 6 Ammanford 195 for 6
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Here24/7/10
Seconds Washout
The 2nd XI made the trip to Ynysygerwn and unfortunately came off second best to the weather. After winning the toss and opting to field, Centurions made an early breakthrough when Peter Rose had Evans caught by Chris Thorne for 8, with the score on 22. However, a very good second wicket stand of 78 between Phillips (44) and Price (42) put the home side back on track. Then a dramatic turn of events saw the score go from 100 for 2 to 140 for 6, with skipper Matt Thomas taking three wickets and Lloyd Bruce bagging two. The seventh wicket pair of Davis and Lloyd set about doing some repair work and stuck in to give the score some respectability and the innings finished on 191 for 6 after the 50 overs. In normal circumstances Centurions would have fancied their chances, but with rain in the air it was always going to be tricky.
Shaz Rehan and Chris Thorne put on 26 for the first wicket, when Chris was caught off the bowling of Baker for 14. Rhett Jones then joined Shaz and they took the score along to 60 when Baker struck again to dismiss Rhett for 18. There was barely time for Matthew Thomas to strap on his pads when he was back in the pavilion, along with everyone else as the rains came and the game was abandoned with the score on 61 for 2, after just 16.2 overs.
Ynysygerwn 191 for 6 Sully 61 for 2 (match abandoned)
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Here17/7/10
Big Defeat for Seconds
The Second XI, with a few absentees due to unavailability, hosted St Fagans at Burnham Avenue and were on the receiving end of a big defeat, as the visitors piled on the runs.
The opening pair of McKenzie and Beaverstock put on 110 for the first wicket when Lloyd Bruce, helped by a Shaz Rehan slip catch, dismissed Beaverstock for 46. Then McKenzie and Booth took the score along to 156 before Laurence O’Sullivan bowled McKenzie for a well-made 85. The St Fagans batsmen all contributed, with a very good 72 from Lawlor helping the score along to a massive 305 for 5 at the end of the 50 overs. On a blustery day, the spinners had the best bowling figures, with Lloyd Bruce and Laurence O’Sullivan picking up a couple of wickets each.
After tea Shaz Rehan and Shae Ellis took the score along to 43 when Shaz was out for 36. Rhett Jones went with the score on 59 and Shae Ellis followed two runs later to leave the score on 61 for 3. Daniel Chaulk, playing his first game for some time, managed 5 before being bowled by Wallwork, with the score on 74. Then Ben Callow, who top scored with 38, and Christian Bruce (31) put together a fifth wicket stand of 61 to give the score some respectability. However, an almighty collapse followed. Lansdown, with 4 for 38 and Lawlor, an amazing 4 for 5, did the damage, as Centurions crashed to 151 all out – the last five wickets falling for just five runs.
Sully 151 all out St Fagans 305 for 5
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Here10/7/10
Defeat for Seconds In Spite of Skipper’s Heroics
The 2nd XI crashed to a home defeat against Usk in a low scoring contest that provided a few twists and turns before the end.
After being asked to bat by the visitors Centurions lost the wickets of skipper Matthew Thomas and Rhett Jones with only 18 runs scored. Then Shaz Rehan and Chris Thorne did some damage control with a 39 run partnership, before Shaz was trapped LBW to Waldron for 32 . Another quick wicket a run later left the innings tottering on 58 for 4. This brought Chris Thorne (33) and Peter Holmstrom (32) together and they steadied the ship again with a 40 run partnership before another double blow saw both out within a few balls of each other to leave the score on 99 for 6. Of the rest, only Laurence O’Sullivan reached double figures and the last four wickets fell for forty runs for a total of just 139 all out. Usk’s Julian Smith, with 4 for 15 was the pick of the bowlers.
After tea – in complete contrast to the Sully innings – the Usk batsmen got into the groove straight away and at 85 for 2 it looked as though the victory was a foregone conclusion. However, with Lloyd Bruce posting figures of 2 for 27 off 9.4 overs, there was some fight left in the Centurion side. Matthew Thomas almost pulled off the impossible with an amazing three over spell that brought 4 wickets for just 9 runs. However, the paring of Peacock and Steadman managed to see the visitors home for the loss of 8 wickets.
Sully 139 all out Usk 140 for 8
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Winning Draw for Centurions
The seconds travelled to Port Talbot and came back with a winning draw, picking up 19 points, to keep the pressure on the leaders in the Premier League 2nd XI competition.
The top order all contributed and some useful partnerships kept the momentum going. Matt Thomas (25) Shaz Rehan (47) and Rhett Jones (30) all helped push the score along. Shae Ellis hit a well made 50 and Peter Rose, back in action after a three match lay off, made 33 – helping Centurions to 246 all out. Underwood and Richards both picked up 3 wickets for the hosts.
After tea the Port Talbot openers put on 46 for the first wicket and a further 36 for the second. Rees, who made 40, Edwards (34) and Griffiths (51) all put in solid displays, but some tight bowling from the Centurion attack kept the response in check. Lloyd Bruce bagged 3 for 14 off 11 overs and skipper Matt Thomas bowled one over, picking up two wickets. Matt used 9 bowlers in an attempt to grab maximum bowling points and earn an outright victory, but the home side shut up shop. The target was never in danger, but the Sully side were left frustrated as Port Talbot ended on 178 for 7.
Port Talbot 178 for 7 Sully 246 all out
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Fun in the Sun!
Centurions' 2nd XI took the lion's share of the points in a winning draw at home to Swansea on a very hot day. After winning the toss and batting first, skipper Matthew Thomas lost his wicket with the score on just 6. However, the 2 wicket partnership of Shaz Rehan and Rhett Jones put on 50 before Rhett was out for 22. This brought Owain Lovering to the crease and he and Shaz added 44 more runs to take the score to 100 for 3, when Shaz was caught off the bowling of Hughes just one run short of his half century. Shae Ellis made a spirited 43, Laurence O'Sullivan hit 30 and Lloyd Bruce got 16 not out at the end, as Centurions finished on 231 for 8. Hughes (3 for 50) was the pick of the Swansea bowlers.
After tea Terry Williams, who took 1 for 16 off 8 overs, and Tom Evison (1 for 18 off 12) kept the visitors in check with some accurate bowling. Hughes hit an impressive 68, but the asking rate was getting difficult to achieve. Rhett Jones nabbed three wickets for 20 off his seven overs, while Laurence O'Sullivan (2 for 35) gave excellent support. Lloyd Bruce and Shae Ellis also got in on the act with one wicket each, but the elusive last wicket was not forthcoming as Swansea held on for the draw.
Sully 231 for 8 Swansea 184 for 9
19/6/10
Seconds Lose in Nailbiting Finish
The 2nd XI entertained Cardiff at Sully and almost pulled off an unlikely victory after looking out for the count. The visitors batted first and had Hartman to thank for keeping their innings going, with a gutsy 62 before being bowled by Centurions skipper Matthew Thomas, after he had shared a 3rd wicket stand of 70 with Elias (24). Watts (29 not out) and Bettles (36) put on 50 for the 6th wicket but the total of 219 for 7 looked within reach. The Sully bowlers all chipped in, with two wickets each for Matt Thomas, Shae Ellis and Terry Williams. Lloyd Bruce bagged one as well.
In spite of losing Owain Lovering for a duck, the Sully response seemed to be on track. Matt Thomas (31) and Chris Thorne (41) kept the momentum going until a flurry of wickets fell, taking the total from 43 for 1 to 86 for 5 after 20 overs. Shaz Rehan, making his first league appearance for 3 seasons, fell back into the old routine and held the innings together with a marvellous display of batting. However, with Fowler (3 for 37) and Plain (3 for 41) bowling well for Cardif, Shaz was running out of partners and when last man Terry Williams joined him on 168 for 9 it seemed it would be only a matter of time before the visitors wrapped things up. But some determined batting, along with some luck, turned the situation on its head and as the 49th over started Centurions needed 13 runs for victory. A boundary, three singles and a wide took the score up to 214 and you could cut the tension with a knife. Then Butt bowled the 5th ball of the over, which was smashed back by Shaz, looking every inch a boundary, until the bowler stretched out a hand and finger tipped the ball onto the stumps with Terry Williams out of his ground, run out for 18. Game over, Cardiff had won by 5 runs. A fine game of cricket and a dramatic finale. Centurions' man of the match was undoubtedly Shaz Rehan who remained unbeaten on 88.
Sully 214 all out Cardiff 219/7
12/6/10
2nd XI Rue Lost Overs
The 2 XI travelled to Pontarddulais and were left contemplating what might have been after failing to see out the 50 overs, thus handing 2 extra overs to the home side, in which they clinched victory.
Skipper Matt Thomas and Chris Thorne put on 28 for the first wicket when Chris was lbw to Williams for 7. Owain Lovering went for a duck and then the wickets tumbled with regularity. Matt Thomas' 27 was the only individual score in double figures and at 68 for 8 it was looking terminal for Sully. Then a marvellous 8th wicket partnership of 123 between Huw Williams (75) and new boy Laurence O'Sullivan (62 not out) gave Centurions a real boost. The last couple of wickets fell with the score on 213 in the 48 over, which left Pontarddulais 52 overs to reach the target. Jamie Williams, with 5 for 39, and Lucius Kerry (3 for 15) did most of the damage.
After tea the home side put on 64 for the first wicket and set up a platform for victory. Top scorer was Lloyd, with 56, but all of the batsmen contributed. Jones and Williams shared a stand of 60 to steer the hosts home in the second added on over. O'Sullivan added to his batting success by bagging three wickets for 27, but a six wicket defeat was scant reward for the heroics.
Pontarddulais 214/4 Sully 213 all out
5/6/10
Heavy Defeat at Sully
The Second XI were on the receiving end of a hiding at Burnham Avenue as visitors Newport ripped through the normally strong batting line up to skittle Centurions out for just 94 runs. Iqbal and MacLean, who took four wickets each, did all the damage, with only Chris Thorne, with 39, getting into double figures for Sully. The innings was all over after 25 overs.
The visitors looked as though they were also going to struggle as Huw Williams and Lloyd Bruce started well. Newport were looking decidedly edgy as they tottered on 38 for three, but Aston and Leach steadied the ship with a 4th wicket partnership of 25, then Aston saw his side home with an unbeaten 45, to wrap up the victory in the 27th over. Lloyd Bruce bowled well for his 3 wickets, but the damage had been done and the total was far too low to defend. A blow, but Centurions can bounce back from this and will have learned a valuable lesson - nothing is certain in this game.
Sully 94 all out Newport 95 for 4
22/5/10
Victory in the Heat At Sully
The 2nd XI maintained their unbeaten start to the season with this 3 wicket victory over Ynysygerwn at Burnham Avenue. Skipper Matthew Thomas won the toss and obviously fancied a chase as he put the visitors in to bat on a baking hot day. Opening bat Tom Phillips was a thorn in Sully's side as he built up an ominous personal total, finally being caught and bowled by Huw Williams for a well deserved 121. Unfortunately for Ynysygerwn, no-one else got anywhere near that score. However, the match ball took a bit of a hammering as Ynysygerwn finished on 243 for 8 after the allotted 50 overs. Huw Williams (3 for 67) and Rhett Jones (2 for 17) were Centurions' main wicket takers, but Peter Rose (0 for 33 off 12 overs) and Terry Williams (0 for 21 off 9) bowled accurately to help keep the target within reach.
After tea Matthew Thomas bludgeoned the ball to all corners as he raced to 73 - with good support from Chris Thorne (28) Richard Jones (30) and Jonathan Bussey (44 not out). When the 7th wicket went down (Shae Ellis LBW for 14) Peter Rose joined Bussey to steer Sully home in the 45th over.
This victory keeps Centurions sitting proudly at the top of the table.
Sully 244/7 Ynysygerwn 243
15/5/10
Centurions Chase Down Big Total to Stay on Top
The 2nd XI travelled to St Fagans for this Premier League fixture and were made to work hard for the victory. Skipper Matthew Thomas won the toss and put the home side in. It looked a good decision, as St Fagans were 41 for 2 after 9 overs, with both wickets going to Peter Rose with the help of Terry Williams' catching. However two separate half century stands between Allen (39) and Vincent (50) and then Vincent and Wallwork (46) left the hosts looking pretty good on 174 for 4 with ten overs left. The Centurions bowlers took a bit of a hammering as St Fagans ended the 50 overs on 255 for 6.
After tea Owain Lovering (37) and Matthew Thomas (13) put on 23 for the first wicket and then Rhett Jones joined Owain and the pair put on 59 for the second wicket before Rhett was caught for 27. Some good partnerships developed as Centurions went all out for the runs. Chris Thorne was the star batsman with 60 not out, but some decent contributions from Jonathan Bussey (22) Richard Jones (29) and Huw Williams, who ended on 25 not out, saw Sully home in the 49th over. Hopkins and Wallwork, with two wickets each, were the best of the St Fagans bowling attack, but Centurions remain in pole position in the league.
St Fagans 255/6 Sully 256/6
8/5/10
Victory Sends Centurions To Top of Table
The 2nd XI made the journey to Usk and returned triumphant after completing a 4 wicket victory in a rain interrupted match. After winning the toss, Usk batted first and it wasn't long before Terry Williams had the first wicket, when he had Francis caught by Richard Jones with 8 runs on the board. The home side recovered to compile a decent score, with honours being even after the allotted overs, with a total of 237 for 7 on the board. 16 year old Liam Bennett took his first two 2nd XI wickets, with good support from Rhett Jones, who also had two wickets. There was one wicket apiece for Terry Williams and the ever improving Lloyd Bruce as well as a run out. The star batsman for Usk was Perrett, with a fine 92.
Centurions had a disastrous start to the innings when Owain Lovering stepped back on his stumps and was out for 0. However, Rhett Jones (45) and Matt Thomas (59) put on a hundred for the 2nd wicket to steady the ship. Then a stand of 88 for the 4th wicket between Chris Thorne (49) and Richard Jones, who hit 51, swung the game in Sully's favour.
Shae Ellis and Lloyd Bruce saw Centurions home in the 48th over. This now leaves the 2nds on top of the table after the first two weeks.
Usk 237/7 Sully 240/6
1/5/10
Great Start for Seconds at Sully
The 2nd XI league season got underway with a great home win against Port Talbot. Centurions finished with a score of 256 for 7 at the end of the 50 overs. The previous week's sunshine made way for damp, overcast conditions, but all of the batsmen contributed to the total, with top homours going to Chris Thorne, who score 46. He was assisted by skipper Matt Thomas (33) Richard Ready, overcoming his rib injury to hit 30 and Owain Sullivan (38).
The vistors' reply was kept in check by young Lloyd Bruce and veteran Terry Williams, who bagged two wickets each. Samuels (52) and Gosby (31) showed some resistance, but the undoubted star was Tom Evison, who had 5 maidens in his 11.4 overs - posting an amazing 6 for 22 to leave Port Talbot down and out on 151 all out, with 10 overs unused.
Sully 256/7 Port Talbot Town 151 all out
