South East Wales Cricket League Division One - Croesyceiliog CC First XI (322-7) beat Sudbrook CC First XI (107 all out) by 215 runs

SUDBROOK need a swift change in fortunes if they are to retain their Division One status, sitting just above the drop zone currently occupied by Aberystwyth and Radyr.

At Croesyceiliog, Sudbrook were without their captain, Micky Martin and in-form wicketkeeper Brad Bates and regular opening batsman Ross Lewis.

Sudbrook’s stand-in skipper Matt Spencer won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first. The home side seemed to revel in the conditions, scoring 322 for the loss of seven wickets in their 50 overs.

Alex Barry top-scored with 77 supported by Alex Kryjom (31) and, later in the innings, Stewart Roden (66) and Michael Beacham (53) inflicted more pain on the visitors.

In reply, Sudbrook were all out for just 107 with only James Hussey (21), Matthew Burton (19) and Spencer (18) registering double-figure scores.

Mitchell Slape was Sudbrook’s best bowler, taking three wickets for 50 runs.

Spencer said the players are all aware of the difficult situation.

“We won the toss and decided to bowl on a damp wicket but they got off to a fast start and were 160-2 from 20 overs,” he said.

“We fought back well with Mitch Slape and Jamie Watkins the pick of the bowlers, but with the bat no-one got going with us giving our wickets away to fall embarrassingly short.

“Our team was decimated with people in France for the football or working and it was a chance for people to take their chance and put in a good performance. Unfortunately we couldn’t do that but as we reach the halfway point we know we must get better and the hard work starts Wednesday at practice.”