SULLY Centurions 1st XI entertained Usk in the South Wales Premier League at Sully on a bitterly cold Saturday.

Centurions made an excellent start with 71 added for the first wicket by the Sylvester brothers. At 71 Jamie was bowled by Ryan Watkins for 24 and at 83 Ryan was lbw for 43.

O'Shea and Smith took control and another big score was on the cards.

Although Smith was run out for 36, the run machine Gareth Sullivan joined O'Shea and together they took the score to 297 before O'Shea was out to the last ball of the innings for 101. Sullivan was not out for a fine 56.

Centurions had posted a daunting target for the visitors.

Usk's reply started in fine fashion as James and Tampin added 69 runs off just 10 overs before Wharf made the breakthrough, bowling James for 39.

Tampin and Townsend took the score to 103 but then came an amazing collapse as Evison and Ryan Sylvester ripped the heart out of the batting.

Townsend was lbw for 22, Tampin was caught behind for 33, Davies caught for 0, all off Ryan, and 105-4 soon became 142 all out as Evison took 3-28 off 11 overs.

Jamie Sylvester wrapped up the tail with 3-25 to keep Centurions top of the table.

Centurions 297-4. M O'Shea 101, G Sullivan 56 not out, R Sylvester 43. O Watkins 2-56.

Usk 142 all out. O James 39, M Tampin 33. R Sylvester 3-14, J Sylvester 3-25, T Evison 3-28.

SECONDS

THE 2nd XI travelled to Usk in the reverse fixture and came home with a 4 wicket victory.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat first on a damp outfield in wintry conditions.

Centurions struck an early blow when Terry Williams had Francis caught for 1 with the score on 8.

Perrett and Kear produced a 49 run partnership before Kear was caught off Rhett Jones for 25, and the score moved to 95 before Stephens was caught off Lloyd Bruce and Lovering ran Roderick out for 24.

Perrett went for a fine 91, and Bennett trapped Waldren lbw for 25. A late flurry from Jones 34 not out allowed Usk to post a challenging 237-7.

Centurions started badly, losing Lovering for 0 but a 111-run stand between Mathew Thomas and Rhett Jones put Sully in control.

The loss of two wickets in Thomas 59 and Jones 45 put the game back in the balance but Thorne 49 and Richard Jones 51 added 88 invaluable runs to put Centurions back on top.

There was another twist as Owain Sullivan went for 2 and Centurions needed a steady hand to see them home.

Shay Ellis 9 not out was that person to ensure both the 1st and 2nd XIs are unbeaten after the first two games and lead their leagues, with the 3rd XI also on top of their division in a promising start.

Usk 237-7. N Perrett 91, G Jones 34 not out. L Bennett 2-47, Rhett Jones 2-53.

FIXTURES

THIS Saturday the 1st XI play St Fagans at Sully; the 2nd XI are away to St Fagans; the 3rd XI meet Whitchurch 3rd XI at Wenvoe; and the 4th XI play Whitchurch 4th XI at Whitchurch HS.

On Sunday, Centurions play Ynysgerwyn in the National Knockout Cup at Sully.

TEAMS:

1st XI: M O'Shea, J Sylvester, R Sylvester, R Clitheroe, L Smith, A Wharf, G Sullivan, J Denning, T Evison, J Bussey, R Reddy, A Shantry.

2nd XI: M Thomas, R Jones, Rhett Jones, L Bruce, C Thorne, T Williams, O Lovering, H Williams, P Rose, S Ellis, O Sullivan, 12th man L Bennett.

3rd XI (12.30pm start): J Wooden, D W Sylvester, D P Sylvester, C Bruce, H Miller, R Griffett, A Gilliatt, N Jones, D Morgan, B Spear, L Bennett.

4th XI (leave Sully Inn 12.15pm), from: M Fisher, J Bryan, P Barnett, P Harrison, T Davies, S Jones, L Jones, L Burnett, L Cudihy, D Waterhouse, G Stone, J T Sylvester, C Hyland, N Cudihy, A'Hern.

Sunday: As 1st XI, plus D Eskins.