VML Cup triumph 2002

Barry Wanderers C.C. - v - Sully Centurions C.C.
Friday 2nd August 2002.

On a bright and sunny Friday evening Barry Wanderers met Sully Centurions for the Vale Midweek cup final at the Barry Athletic ground. A fairly sizable crowd had arrived supporting the Wanderers, and one could sense that it was going to be their day, as all the players looked up for the fight.

Sean Davies, the Sully skipper won the toss, and after some deliberation with fellow players, decided to put the Wanderers into to bat. The Wanderers innings started well as the inform partnership of Ed Sheriff and Pete Coleman put the opening attack of Jim Ord and Terry Williams to the sword. This was until Williams dismissed Sheriff with the final ball of his spell, but not before he had reached 23 with some beautiful shots. Unfortunately for the Wanderers, Coleman followed four balls later, being run out for 29 runs, but this had already given the Wanderers the best possible start, and to somewhat ease the nerves of the players. This brought Paul Swannick and Mark Ellis to the crease. Ellis kept up his recent good from and hit numerous good shots as Swannick from the other end picked off the one's and two's to keep the run rate going. When Ellis was out, another wicket soon followed, and this brought Tony Swannick to the wicket who anchored the innings well in the middle order to get the Wanderers back on track. After another few wickets fell, some further runs were blasted at the end, with Simon Walters who got the score up to a commendable 125 for 7 off their 20 overs.

The Sully innings started well for the Wanderers as the youthful opening bowlers, James Hassett and Nimesh Patel kept the Sully batsmen in check. Patel had the best start possible as he had the promising Morgan Hodges adjudged LBW for one. Better was soon to follow as Hassett had Mick Fisher bowled. This brought the man inform Ryan Sylvester to the wicket. But Patel gave him his wonder ball and Sylvester was on his way for three caught beautifully by the cool headed Swannick junior. Hassett kept the delirium going as he had Don Sylvester caught by a fine catch from Sheriff that seemed to be up in the air for an age. After Hassett and Patel had finished their spells, Sully were reeling on 38 for 4 off 8 overs. Both bowlers bowled extremely well, especially Patel who bowled the spell of his life to make himself a strong contender for the man of the match award.

Now Nathan Gage and Luke O'Connor were at the crease and compiling runs, but the Wanderers bowlers of Gareth Lanagan and Swannick senior made sure that they were being kept behind the run rate. But, the Sully boys looked in a good position, as they were 84 for 5 with five overs remaining. But, then Gage was out foxed with a slower delivery for Walters to take an excellent match turning catch on the boundary. This had swung the momentum firmly back in the favor of the Wanderers and was further enforced when Lanagan had O'Connor caught on the boundary by a fine catch from the irrepressible Swannick senior. Sully were still in it but two wicket taking economical overs from Lanagan, who bowled a fine spell of bowling under pressure, won the match for the Wanderers. The team spirit of the Wanderers boys, brilliant display of outfielding and the support of spectators had got them through the match and it was now time to party.

Now, the Wanderers fans could start celebrating and proceeded to drink the bar dry (most of the drinking was done by birthday boy Ashton who seemed a little pleased by the victory), as the Wanderers collected the Cup and held it aloft with the pride of knowing they had beaten a very good Sully Centurions side. Nathan Gage was attributed with being man of the match due to his bowling and batting.

Barry Wanderers: 125 for 7 (P Coleman 29, E Sheriff 23 ; R Sylvester 2 - 13)
Sully Centurions: 114 for 8 (N Gage 39, L O'Connor 30 ; N Patel 2 - 16 A Fenton 2 - 18)
Barry Wanderers won by 11 runs.

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