South East Wales Cricket League

Division 2

SUDBROOK Seconds’ wicket keeper Matt Burton hit an undefeated 91 runs to help them ease to a four-wicket home victory over visitors Cardiff Gymkhana, writes Bob Cypher.

Apart from his prowess with the bat, Burton’s work behind the wickets helped restrict a Cardiff team that looked in the mood on a hot, sunny day.

He held a good catch to dismiss opener Adrian Haddadi without scoring off Rob Simmonds’ bowling and added two more catches and a stumping to take wickets at crucial times.

Those dismissals off the bowling of John Clements and Paul Adams, pegged back Gymkhana’s batsmen when a 200+ target looked on the cards.

Clements (4-28 and one maiden) and Adams (3-51) did the most damage with Rob Supple (1-25 off six overs) ending the visitors’ innings on 199.

In reply, openers Ant Cole and skipper Steve Comins fell cheaply but Edward Neale (25) and Adam Nelson (46) supported Burton as he built his innings and Sudbrook reached their target of 200 in the 45th and last over.

After praising Gymkhana’s batsmen, skipper Comins paid tribute to his bowlers and Burton’s overall performance.

“A superb 67 by Mohsin Ali saw Cardiff Gymkhana make a good start, assisted by captain Ranpreet Grover’s 41 runs,” he said.

“But following quick wickets in the middle order, the visitors were at one point 141 for 8 and were helped to 199 all out with a 51 by Mubashir Swati.

“However, some great, tight bowling by John Clements and Paul Adams helped us keep them below 200.

“Our reply started slowly with a couple of quick wickets, but Matt Burton and Adam Nelson steadied the innings and we earned a hard-won victory.”