Hottentots-Holland Cricket Club celebrated a dramatic and morale-boosting four-run victory over UCT in a First Division A clash played in Cape Town on Saturday 27 January.
HHCC lost the toss and were sent into bat first in sunny, hot conditions. After losing two early wickets Irshaad Salie and Yaasien Railoun steadied the ship with a good 66-run partnership.
Salie went on to reach his 50 but fell soon after. HHCC then lost three vital wickets in quick succession and were 189-7 with 17 overs left. Shameel Abels (21) joined Achmat Smith at the crease and the pair put on a crucial 59 run stand for the 9th wicket, which propelled HHCC to a good total of 253 all out.
Salie top scored with 56 while he was supported by Achmat Smith (38*) and Waleed Smith (31).
With ball in hand. Guillaume Jansen grabbed two early wickets that left UCT reeling. HHCC then struggled to break the third wicket partnership as UCT sat comfortable on 205-2, needing 48 off the last 10 overs.
HHCC then pulled a rabbit out of the hat with brilliant fielding which saw them claim four run-outs. Excellent death bowling from Achmat Smith and Yaaseen Smith saw HHCC snatch a dramatic four-run win from the jaws of defeat.
HHCC’s next fixture is against Vikings CC at the Gordon’s Bay Naval Grounds this Saturday (3 February).
In First Division B, Somerset West Cricket Club (SWCC) travelled to Wynberg CC and were in desperate need of a win.
SWCC lost the toss and was asked to bat first and started shakily as they were 0/1 after the second over. But the wicket brought Tim Boyd and Larry Morkel together who shared a 115-run partnership. Morkel eventually lost his wicket for 73, leading by example and showcasing the form he has been in this season.
Boyd (50) and Jason Josephs (54) off only 35 balls got SWCC over the 200 mark to set a competitive score of 217/7.
Wynberg got off to a slow start, but kept within the run rate needed to get the target. The breakthrough was eventually made by Varun Kalidindi. A partnership ensued and the fielding became sloppy. Daandre Walker (1/34) and Ghaulied van Schalkwyk (1/37) bowled well in tandem to restrict the Wynberg CC batsmen.
Things became very tight towards the end, when Wynberg were within reach of the total, but it was the cool, calm and collected Nigel Dirks who bowled the last over to defend just seven runs that gave SWCC the victory by five runs. Dirks bowled a superb spell of 10-2-2-30.
SWCC hosts Kuilsriver CC at the Alan Olsen Oval this coming weekend.
