In the runs
This time last year, Daniel Sutton had only scored 197 runs. This year (so far) he’s scored 601.
For non mathematicians that’s 404 more than the corresponding period in 2016 and is just 194 less than Pembroke have managed so far as a team during this campaign.
Johnston may be languishing second from bottom of division one but thanks to Sutton’s form they are the division’s highest run gatherers having scored 1428 runs at the halfway mark, 31 more than Whitland.
He’s already scored four centuries and should have had a fifth having scored 80 against the Borderers a couple of weeks ago, “I hit a full toss straight to square leg,” he said. “Should have hit it for six.”
He’s widely regarded as one of the county’s premier batsmen, many a pundit and player describes him as ‘class’ so his form doesn’t come as too much of a surprise unless you are the man in question himself.
“I don’t know where it’s come from to be honest. I usually start poorly but finish well so to have scored so many runs is a surprise.
“Maybe it’s the fact I knew things would be tough this year having lost three players for one reason or another.
“Maybe I’m being a little more selfish and that’s helped my form and the team or maybe I’m just more focused as last year with I could be more carefree.
“The bodybuilding has certainly helped. I get up at 6 to do so cardio, I prepare all my food and then I train in the evenings. You have to be focussed to compete (he’s entering his first competition in September) and that’s probably helping my batting.”
Sutton’s physique has certainly changed over the past 14 years he’s been training but his batting exploits haven’t.
Ever since he scored a century as a 14-year-old in a game during a cricket week hosted by Haverfordwest over 20 years ago, he’s been a player to take notice of. He’s unsure if that was his first three figure score, he can’t really remember when it was but he thinks it could have been as he remembers scoring 98 for Welsh school in Taunton.
Two years later he was playing for Glamorgan seconds having to scramble enough money together for the train fare up to Derby having answered an SOS call from the late John Derrick.
“I didn’t have a clue where I was going but a few changes and seven hours later I was there,” And so began a three year association with the Welsh county, not a bad achievement for a player with no immediate family background in the game.
His time with Glamorgan was a good one even if it didn’t end up as he hoped. With a top score of 58, runs were harder to come by and eventually he was let go.
“I was devastated. To be told you’re not going to make it was devastating as that was my goal ever since I was young.
“You get so close and given a chance and then it’s taken away from you. There’s a fine line and you have to perform at a certain level and I didn’t do enough to cross it. I just didn’t score enough runs but I don’t have any regrets. I gave it my best shot.”
His time with Glamorgan was spent with Mark Wallace, Dan Cherry, Simon Jones and Wayne Law which is a measure of the company he mixed with and while he may not have scored the runs required to make it with Glamorgan, he’s more than making up for it now.
Four centuries already this year, three last year and two the year before. He’s lost count of the number he’s scored in total but that’s not him taking his talent for granted, he just doesn’t keep count and is more interested in doing well for Johnston than keeping tabs on his personal success.
“I think this season is more level than before. On paper I think Cresselly are probably the strongest side but obviously Carew are in front at the moment.
“I’m not sure who is going to win it to be honest I’m just concentrating on doing well for Johnston as it’s been a tough year. We’re scoring runs we’re just having a tough time defending them.
“We’re in the mix with Lawrenny, Pembroke and Kilgetty and we’re good enough to get something from those teams around us but time will tell, there’s half a season to go yet.”
And if the second half is as good as his first, it will be his most successful season yet.
Suffice to say, he makes the team of the week.
Team of the week
- Daniel Sutton (Johnston) 128 v Pembroke
- Adam Chandler (Cresselly) 118 v Carew
- Tom Mansbridge (Saundersfoot) 115 and 2-32 v Burton
- Rhydian Rees (Cresselly 3rds) 110 not out and 2-8 v Pembroke Dock 2nds
- John Curran (Llechryd) 109 not out v Whitland 2nds
- Neville Davies (Burton 2nds) 97 not out v St Ishmaels 2nds
- Nick Evans (Narberth 2nds) 6-22 v Kilgetty 2nds
- Connor Carroll (Pembroke Dock) 5-11 v Lamphey
- Jonathan Williams (Hundleton) 5-28 and 47 not out v Hook 2nds
- Peter Betterley (Llechryd) 5-22 v Whitland 2nds
- Matthew Lewis (Cresselly 2nds) 5-30 v Hook
N.B. Nicky Absalom had figures of 9-9-0-1 for Hook 2nds v Hundleton. I think I’m right in saying Barry Wood once bowled five or six overs without conceding a run for Kilgetty in the Harrison-Allen years ago but not sure if that’s ever been done in the league. Can anyone shed any light on that?
What’s even more impressive is he did it bowling spin after converting from bowling left arm seam a few years ago.
Well bowled Bamby!
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