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Machen Cricket Club enjoyed the rare sight of centuries in the scorebook for first and second teams as they both recorded huge wins in the South East Wales League.
The firsts defeated Sudbrook by the emphatic margin of 133 runs after notching up 323 for four in their 40 overs, Shah Jehan Khan smashing 106 not out off only 54 balls.
He shared a remarkable stand of 136 in 10.4 overs with Mike Fussell, who hit 59 not out. Earlier captain Rhydian Knox also scored 59 to get Machen off to a positive start alongside Dewi Thomas (21) and Ahsan Naqash (39).
In reply Sudbrook lost three early wickets and although Ian Simmonds and Luke Ingham got them past the hundred mark, the home side were never up with the run-rate and finished on 190-8 as Jake Preston, Thomas and Gazzy Jones claimed two wickets apiece.
Machen claimed 19 out of 20 points available to extend their lead at the top of the division four table to 45 points, with seven matches left to play.
Meanwhile, Machen’s seconds notched up one of their biggest ever victories as they defeated Bridgend by 251 runs at the Welfare Ground, scoring 351-5 and bowling the opposition out for exactly 100.
Jonny Cross top-scored with 104 not out, hitting 50 runs in boundaries and running hard for the rest to turn the heat up on the visitors on a scorching day.
Opener Dean Starling started the onslaught with 71, Owen Tamplin smashed 52 while Rhys Mellor-Cretney, Delme Smith and Dean Lewis all chipped in with thirties.
Opening bowler Dan Leonard led the Machen efforts in the field, taking 1-11 in his tight first six overs and then claiming the last three wickets without conceding a further run.
“It was a cracking day in the sun and great wins for both teams,” said Cross.
The second XI have risen to third in division 11, just four years after a winless season, to show the greater strength in depth at the club.
On Saturday 16 July the first team host Llandaff while the seconds travel to St Fagans, and a Sunday friendly at Rogerstone should allow the club to give an outing to most of its players across the weekend.
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