4th XI Match Reports
4th XI Match Reports
Worst Defeat of the Season
After last week's heroics the 4th XI came down to earth with a crash as they were swept away on a wet day at high flying Crumlin. With only 9 men, due to Terry Sylvester's car trouble and an inability to get any more players, Centurions took to the field and were soon rewarded when Lee Jones and Nathan Cuddihy started getting wickets. Lee's 4 wickets for 40 was his best haul so far this year and Nathan's 3 for 24 ensured that the home side were always going to have to work for their runs. Ed Davies bowled ten overs for only wicket, but this was scant reward for his endeavours. After being reduced to 56 for 5 the big hitting Gibbs (68), ably supported by skipper Green with 33, steadied the ship for Crumlin and the final score of 178 all out was always going to be a difficult target for Centurions' fragile batting line-up on this damp track.
With Terry Sylvester ariving in style in his Rolls Royce, Centurions' 10 men commenced the reply. One by one the wickets fell. Green's 1 wicket along with 6 maidens in a row and with wickets for Veale (3) Gibbs(4) and Woodward sent Sully reeling. The embarrassing total of 38 all out was the worst this year. With only one league match left there is very little time to put this right.
Crumlin 178 all out Sully 38 all out
Nick and Liam Secure Great Win
The 4ths entertained Chepstow at Wenvoe and secured the second win of the season thanks mainly to the efforts of Nick Jones and Liam Bennett. Batting first after being put in on an overcast day on a damp pitch, Centurions' openers Jim Ord and Nick Jones soon got on top of the visiting bowling. The score had reached 89 before the loss of the first wicket - that of Jim Ord for 15. This led to a mini collapse as Nick Jones (who scored a fine 63) Liam Bennett (3) Jamie Beasley (the victim of a very good catch behind the stumps) for 1 and Luke Burnett for 0, all fell in quick succession to leave the score on 103 for 5. Then, after a brief revival when Lee Jones (6) and Gethin Stone (11) took the score to 115, two wickets were lost in three balls without further score. This brought Paul Harrison and Mark (Lucky Charm) Burnett to the crease and they put on 21 for the 9th wicket before Mark was caught for 12 valuable runs. Paul Harrison's wicket came soon after, as he was out for 17 in the 42nd over, to leave the score on 155 all out.
After tea, Liam Bennett gave Centurions the best of all possible starts as he took a wicket with the frst ball of the Chepstow innings. This was just the start of a marvellous bowling spell, with Liam getting a second wicket in that very first over. Nick Jones bowled an accurate line at the other end, picking up a couple of wickets for just 27 runs in his 10 over spell, which also included four maidens. Liam continued to get wickets and he finished his first spell with four victims. The thorn in Centurions' side was the big hitting Thornhill, who took a liking to the bowling and was beginning to look increasingly more menacing before Lee Jones bowled him for 73 with a great delivery, to send the momentum back in Sully's favour. Of the other batsmen, only the visiting skipper, Giles, with 19, offered any real resistence as wickets began to fall again. Liam Bennett took two more wickets and ended with figures of 6 for 27. It was just left up to Mick 'Just call me Monty' Fisher to secure the win with the last wicket as the Chepstow innings ended on 130 all out.
Sully 155 all out Chepstow 130 all out For Scorecard Click Here
Centurions Derailed at Great Western
The 4ths lost at Great Western as the high flying Bridgend side kept up the pressure at the top of the table. Batting first, Centurions were pegged back by some accurate bowling, with openers Jim Ord (10) and Terry Sylvester (12) unable to dominate the attack. It was soon clear that none of the other Centurion batsmen were going to find it any easier. Highest scores were from Dave Waterhouse with an entertaining 27 and 17 from Paul Harrison, but a total of 116 all out was always going to be difficult to defend.
In reply, the home side put on 45 for the first wicket and eventually cruised home in 20 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Cuddihy (3 for 45) and Fisher, with 1 for 13 were Sully's wicket takers. Unfortunately, Clive Hyland, who was playing his first game for 25 years, pulled a hamstring while fielding and limped off. Best wishes to Clive for a speedy recovery and grateful thanks to Mark Burnett for coming on as 12th man.
Great Western 117 for 4 Sully 116 all out
Big Batting Collapse Brings Heavy Defeat
The 4th XI lost at Pontllanfraith on a day that started well but ended in disarray. Mick Fisher won the toss and had no hesitation in putting the home side in on a wet track. Some superb bowling from Nathan Cuddihy (2 for 20 off 10 overs) backed up by great work in the field, set the tone for a good first half of the match. Two wickets for Luke Burnett, one for Josh Bryan and a marvellous 5 for 30 from Paul Fisher brought the Pontllanfraith innings to a close on 149 all out, with 5 overs to spare. Lee Jones, although wicketless, bowled a tidy line in his spell for only 11 runs.
After tea a confident Centurions side commenced their innings, but the loss of opener Terry Sylvester for a duck in the first over was the start of the big collapse. Tom Davies was out in the fourth over, caught on 3. He was followed in quick succession by Josh Bryan (1) Nathan Cuddihy, Lewis Cuddihy and Luke Burnett (all for 0) and the scoresheet was maing pretty poor reading. Jim Ord was the only one to reach double figures and when he went for 14 in the tenth over it was the beginning of the end.
Lee Jones hung around for a while but was caught for one, before Paul Fisher departed for 4. Mick Fisher was caught behind on 2, leaving Paul Harrison on 9 not out at the end - a total of just 53. One to forget!
Pontllanfraith 149 all out Sully 53 all out
Great Team Display Brings Win at Last for 4th XI
The 4ths achieved an unlikely victory at Whitchurch Heath with a team that had been hastily assembled, following 3rd XI call ups and holidays. Skipper Mick Fisher won the toss and put the home side in on a damp wicket. In spite of some initial wayward deliveries the returning Jimmy Ord bagged a couple of early wickets to settle things down. The second wicket was down to a fabulous one handed catch from Mark Burnett, who was making his debut. Jim's 2 for 31 was just what was needed. At the other end Ed Davies (another debutant) bowled 10 overs for figures of 1 for 38 to keep the pressure on the home side. Mick Fisher bowled a miserly 10 overs for just 26 runs and the third new player, Dave Waterhouse bowled his ten for 23, picking up two wickets along the way. Gethin Stone, still on Greek holiday time, bowled six overs taking 3 for 25. Luke Burnett's three overs at the end brought him a wicket for only 6 runs. The Whitchurch total of 151 for 8 was certainly an achievable target.
Terry Sylvester (21) along with Tom and Ed Davies (16 and 17 respectively) got Centurions off to a solid start. Then a short, sharp 13 from Dave Waterhouse, along with 9 from Denholm Edwards and a solitary one from Gethin Stone left Sully at 96 for 6 after 27 overs and it was still anybody's game. This brought together Jim Ord and Paul Harrison, who shared a 40 run partnership before Paul was out for 18. Jim was joined by Mark Burnett (2 not out) who kept his end up while Jim continued to play the aggressor. His 31 not out saw Centurions home with 5 overs to spare and the first win of 2009 had been achieved.
This was a great team performance, in which everyone contributed.
Whitchurch Heath 151 for 8 Sully 153/7
Another Defeat at Brynmawr
The 4th XI travelled to Brynmawr and were not able to capitalise on a decent score by being unable to bowl out the opposition. The opening partnership of Terry Sylvester (17) and Tom Davies (11) were looking good until Tom was caught on the boundary. This brought in Nick Jones, who gave a chanceless performance as he top scored with a powerfully hit 68. Younger brother Lee also batted well for his 21 not out as Centurions ended on 156 for 9 after the 45 overs.
The Brynmawr innings saw the openers weather a storm of quick bowling from Nathan Cuddihy, who bowled as fast as he has ever done. With a bit more accuracy Nathan could be playing at a much higher level than this. As it was, a few too many wayward deliveries let the home side off the hook. Paul Harrison performed extremely well behind the stumps, as he saved countless byes with acrobatic enthusiasm. However, the wicket did not materialise, in spite of decent spells from Nick (Biggun) Jones, Lee (Little'un) Jones and Lewis Cuddihy (who had to go off after injuring his back attempting to stop a boundary). The only wicket came courtesy of a run out - engineered by Nathan Cuddihy. This was in the first over a three over spell from Terry Sylvester - but even the old maestro couldn't make another breakthrough and the winning runs came soon after.
So, once again the inability to bowl sides out proved to be the 4ths' downfall.
Brynmawr 160/1 Sully 156/9
Dropped Catches and Extras Prove Costly at Wenvoe
The 4th XI fell to another defeat against Crumlin at Wenvoe. Batting first the visitors were soon in all kinds of trouble as opening bowlers Liam Bennett and Nathan Cuddihy had them struggling on 35 for 3. This brought together Haywood and Gibbs, who put together a 90 run partnership that altered the course of the match. Both batsmen rode their luck and both were dropped on more than one occasion before Gibbs was bowled. Haywood went on his merry way, finally running out of partners, finishing on 118 not out, as Crumlin ended on 226 all out. Given the fact that Gibbs' 24 was the next highest individual score the dropped catches (and 44 extras) proved costly. Best bowling fgures were John Edwards' 4 for 39, Nathan Cuddihy's 3 for 23 and Liam Bennett (2 for 25). Oz Bennett bowled a tidy line for 10 overs for his figures of 1 for 32.
After tea Centurions' response got underway with a solid opening partnership between Dave Morgan and Tom Davies before Dave was bowled round his legs for 16. Tom was joined by Liam Bennett and continued being the aggressor until he was bowled one run short of his half century. After that the wickets kept falling with regularity. In spite of a couple of decent individual scores (16 from Nathan Cuddihy and 11 from John Edwards) and a nice display with the bat from Luke (Charlie) Burnett, the innings came to a halt on 140.
The plus points were maximum bowling points for the first time this season and a great team spirit.
Sully 140 all out Crumlin 226 all out
Bowling Lets Us Down Again, After Fine Batting Show
The 4ths, with yet more last minute changes forced upon them, travelled to Mountain Ash with a much altered side and came up against what is now becoming a familiar problem. After a great batting display Centurions just couldn't make the breakthrough with the ball.
Batting first on a glorious day, we lost the wickets of Terry Sylvester (3) and Tom Davies (15) with just 19 runs on the board. However, a third wicket partnership of over 100 between the ever improving Liam Bennett (51) and local boy David Morgan (a great 77) transformed the innings. Gethin Stone, Paul Harrison and Paul Fisher (making his first appearance of the season with a nice knock of 24, including three 4s and a big 6) helped the innings along - and in spite of a nice little innings at the end from Lee Jones, Centurions just missed out on maximum batting points, but ended on a very good 198 for 7.
The homes side's reply was devastating. None of the bowlers could get to grips with the opening pair and the runs began flowing steadily. A century for Vale and an unbeaten half century for Hughes saw the Mountain Ash side home in the 27th over. Liam Bennett took the only wicket, but it was too little too late as the home side cruised to a 9 wicket victory. Plus points were some good fielding from Luke Burnett and Tom Davies and a nice 4 over spell from Lee Jones. However, if we had held onto some of the catches it may have been a different story, especially as both opening batsmen were given a life very early in the innings.
Mountain Ash 202/1 Sully 198/7
Big Defeat After Great Start
On a lovely sunny afternoon the 4ths took to the field at Rhoose against Pontllanfraith with a much changed side - with about a team's worth of players unavailable this weekend, it was an achievement to have 11 players on the pitch.
Batting first Centurions lost two early wickets when makeshift opener Paul Harrison and veteran Neil Holmes fell victim to an LBW and a stumping respectively. Terry Sylvester was then joined by Nathan Cuddihy and they put on 29 for the third wicket before JT's wicket fell. This brought the returning Josh Bryan to the crease and he and Nathan entertained us with a 46 run partnership. After Josh succumbed for 16, Ben Spear joined in the fun, but Nathan's innings was brought to an end when he was caught, going for the runs that would have brought him his maiden half century - ending on an agonising 49. Ben was eventually out for a well made 42. Gethin Stone (caught) and Ethan Fiddler (run out in comical circumstances) both went for 3 runs. This brought a ninth wicket pairing of Tom Davies (6 not out) and new boy Luke Burnett, who got 7 not out. They took the score along to 166 for 8 at the end. Not a bad score in the circumstances.
After tea Nathan and Ben opened the bowling but, following a decent start, the two opening batsmen got the measure of the bowling and began to carve out a response. Even two overs of quality filth from skipper Mick Fisher couldn't stop the rot. Josh Bryan and Ethan Fiddler tried to turn the tide, but Hollifield (82) and Morgan (55 not out) did the damage as the visitors reached the target for the loss of only one wicket. Nathan Cuddihy picked up the only victim to add to his impressive display with the bat.
Although it was a heavy defeat the 4ths can hold their heads up high after a gutsy team performance. Apart from the batting of Ben Spear and Nathan Cuddihy a word must also be said for the fielding display. Paul Harrison was a star behind the stumps. Josh Bryan showed some nice touches with the ball, getting some late swing - and Gethin Stone, Tom Davies and Luke Burnett showed some great commitment in the field.
Sully 166/8 Pontllanfraith 167/1
Defeat, But No Disgrace for 4ths
The 4th XI eventually got the 2009 season underway with a visit to a strong Christchurch 2nd XI. Batting first on a damp track Centurions lost openers Lewis Cuddihy and Tom Davies within the first ten overs. Ricky Griffett, batting at number 3, showed some good touches in his knock of 20. Paul O'Shea and Terry Sylvester put on 21 for the fourth wicket before Ben Spear joined O'Shea and hit an entertaining 11 before being bowled. It was slow going on the wet surface, but Centurions stuck to the task and, after losing Paul O'Shea for 19, Paul Harrison (19 not out) and Alex Gray saw the 45 overs out to finish on 122 for 8.
After tea Sully took to the field, with Lewis Cuddihy and Ben Spear bowling well for no reward, but still keeping a brake on the opposition score. The first wicket came in the 13th over when Edwards was caught by Griffett off the bowling of Alex Gray. Young Lee Jones bowled a tidy spell for just ten runs and is clearly going to be one to watch for the future. Paul O'Shea was rewarded for some tight spin bowling with a wicket, when Williams gloved a delivery over the head of wicketkeeper Paul Harrison, who could only get a fingertip to the ball and it looped into the air to be caught eventually by skipper Mick Fisher in the slips.
A third wicket fell to the bowling of Ricky Griffett in the 24th over, when Francis was out for 7, caught by Gethin Stone (who had a great game in the field) with the score on 76. But this was the last wicket to fall. The impressive Hurton hit 39 not out as the home side reached the target in the 30th over.
Christchurch 123/3 Sully 122/8
