CLUBS competing in this summer's npower Village Cup will have to overcome former winners Sully Centurions if they are to taste success at Lord's in September, writes Mervyn Collins.

The Welsh club who defeated Exhall and Wixford in 2004 have been allowed back into the prestigious national competition after being deemed ineligible to defend the trophy last season.

Sully were one of a number of clubs denied the chance to compete in 2005 as a result of their Premier League status but relegation from the top flight of the South Wales Cricket League has led organisers to reinstate them.

However, Sully didn't finish in a relegation place - the league's executive committee demoted them for a breach of playing regulations!

League secretary John Owen, who expressed surprise when told of Sully's Village Cup re-entry, revealed the reasons behind the decision to relegate the side that had finished in third place.

"We found out that they were playing a former Glamorgan player who was travelling down from north Wales £150 per match," he recalled. "The club persistently denied that they were doing anything to contravene league rules but in the end they were forced to admit their wrongdoings."

Surprise

Mr Owen was surprised when he was informed that the club had been allowed back into the competition and was fully aware of the allegations that had been made during their successful visit to Lord's two years ago.

"We've not been gunning for them but I think it's about time that someone caught up with them," the Welsh official honestly admitted.

"I was under the impression that all clubs in any Premier League whatever division they might find themselves in were ineligible for the Village Cup but I think that their demotion will see a number of their players find other clubs so they shouldn't be quite as strong as they were when they lifted the cup."

James Milner, advertising sales executive for tournament organisers Wis-den Cricketer, said: "They have fulfilled very rule for entry but I feel sure that they know that they are being watched.

"We had no reason not to let them in, they fulfil all the criteria and they assured us that they don't pay any of their players and we have to take their word for it!"

When The Journal spoke to Milner last week, though, he wasn't aware of the circumstances surrounding Sully's relegation.

Exhall and Wixford chairman John Canning isn't unduly concerned at Sully's inclusion and looks on it as a chance to get revenge.

"Yes, there was a lot said about their participation before, during and after they beat us at Lord's but it would certainly be nice to come up against them again and I know the players will be extra keen to out one over on them."

However, Exhall will avoid the Welsh side right until the final should both sides be successful and it could be Twyning, Dumbleton or Bredon who come face to face with Sully in the national rounds should they emerge as group winners.

Action in this season's competition gets under way on April 24 when Twyning and Dumbleton are both scheduled to be in action.