Sudbrook pick up first victory (From Free Press Series)

Sudbrook pick up first victory

SUDBROOK cricket coach Mark O'Leary admitted he was a relieved man after helping his side pick up their first league win of the season against Pentrych even if his batters did leave it late to wrap things up.

Some efficient bowling from Carl Morgan (3-30), Rob Thomas (ten overs for 28 runs), and O'Leary (2-20) saw Pentrych all-out for an easy chase of just 126. But some nervous batting at the crease meant Sudbrook stumbled rather than cruised to the two wicket win.

"Some of our batters didn't capitalise and we did make hard work of it. There were a few silly shots out there," admitted O'Leary after batting 36 of his side's 127 runs.

"I'm not really that concerned though," he went on. "When you are playing cricket on a low total they can sometimes be the hardest ones to win. It's a psychological thing and Pentrych did bowl well in the middle with their spinners."

O'Leary paid tribute to his bowlers who invariably did all the hard-work early on to see Pentrych off with a lowly score.

"We bowled fantastically. We took all our catches - Chris Archer got two great ones off the slip and Stephen Phillips a cracking diving catch. It was a very efficient performance by them.

"I think it was very important for us to get this win. It was our first one this season and takes the pressure off a little. Hopefully we're out of the rut now," said O'Leary.

With that vital first victory behind them O'Leary urged his side to beat Penarth this weekend and give themselves that added shot of confidence in the arm ahead of their match against table-toppers Sully the following weekend.

"If we can sneak a win we will be back in the hunt. I am still committed to us finishing in the top five. We are capable of winning our next ten games so there's no reason why we can't. Cardiff, Sully and Newport are the title challengers, but beneath that everyone is in the mix with each other.

"It's just a case of us being relaxed and focused. I'm a big believer in practising and doing the net work. We have to take pride in that badge on our shirts.

"What we don't want is a bad result this weekend ahead of playing Sully. We do tend to win the majority of our home games though so Sully can be sure they'll get a game," promised O'Leary.

Saturday's match bats off at Penarth at 1pm.