South East Wales Cricket League Division One - Sudbrook (247-7) beat Cardiff Gymkhana (161 all out) by 86 runs

THE wait is still on for the first century of the season for Sudbrook firsts.

For a while, opener Ross Lewis looked likely to break the duck - especially when he discarded his protective headgear and replaced it with his club cap.

But with the scoreboard showing 168-1, Lewis was caught and he departed with 76 runs under his belt.

Matthew Kinchin was still there having replaced Matthew Spencer and having already celebrated his half century, the hopes of a century were placed on his shoulders.

But 15 runs had been added when he too trudged off after being given leg before wicket.

The Gymkhana players appealed for every ball that wasn’t struck by a bat and after 20 or more appeals had been rejected, Kinchin was the unlucky player.

Two more batsmen followed him to the pavilion in quick succession but Matthew Burton (22) and Kel Stevens (13) did enough to post a total close to 250.

Gymkhana are having a bitty sort of season having been brilliant at times and not so special at others.

Luckily for Sudbrook this was one of their off-days as Jamie Watkins had both openers caught by Lewis and Kinchin before Mitchell Slape disposed of two more batsmen.

Dean Wallace entered the fray and claimed the first of his two wickets before Slape added two more victims with Scott O’Leary mopping up the tail to end the chase at 161 all out.

Later, skipper Watkins said the two early partnerships had been vital.

“After winning the toss and batting first Ross and Matthew Spencer’s 50 partnership gave us a solid start,” he said.

“Matthew Kinchin and Lewis batted without chances to build a partnership of 118 and we felt 247 was a par score and one we could defend.

“We bowled well early on to leave Gymkhana struggling on 21-4. Their reply never gathered momentum with Dean Wallace taking two wickets in the middle overs.

“Mitchell finished with impressive figures of 25-4 with one maiden in his 10 overs.”

Watkins also impressed with the ball taking two wickets at a cost of just 16 runs and Scott O’Leary took one for 25.

“It was pleasing to have a comfortable victory at home, with a good collective performance as well as good individuals standing up,” Watkins added.

“The partnerships gave us an excellent platform and Mitchell was again dangerous with the ball.

“We look to build on this victory when we travel to Brecon this Saturday.”

Bob Cypher