South East Wales Cricket League

Division One (Second XIs)

SUDBROOK CC Seconds were handed a Heaven-sent chance of avoiding relegation at the weekend, writes Bob Cypher.

Charles Heaven and skipper Stephen Comins produced a battling performance chasing Whitchurch Heath’s total of 188-7 in a nail-biting finish.

Firmly planted on the bottom of Division 1, the visitors’ total looked formidable, especially as that sort of score has proved too big in previous games.

“We needed a result this week,” admitted Comins later.

“Whitchurch won the toss, elected to bat first and set a good total, but a great all-round performance in the field by Sudbrook, as well as an excellent show of bowling by Rob Simmonds and Paul Adams kept them in check.”

Simmonds (0-22) and Adams (2-25) made scoring difficult and Rob Supple (4-27 off six overs) and George Comins (1-19 off three overs) gave Sudbrook a chance – if they could bat sensibly and form partnerships.

The hope received a couple of early blows as Andrew Palmer and Darren Lloyd departed cheaply leaving Sudbrook staring at defeat at 20-2, but when left-hander Heaven arrived at the crease, the game began to swing slowly in Sudbrook’s favour.

Working Whitchurch’s bowlers with a left-hander. right-hander combination, the pair shared in a fine third-wicket stand of 148 to take Sudbrook close.

Both reached their half-centuries with a collection of shots that kept the small number of spectators shouting their encouragement.

But then Comins was out to a spectacular diving catch, and after another batsman departed, Simmonds strode out to the middle.

With the target in sight, Heaven edged his side every closer and then admired two towering sixes from Simmonds that sealed victory with six wickets and 4.3 overs to spare.