The club cricket season returned to action the past weekend when the first team of Hottentots-Holland Cricket Club (HHCC) resumed their quest for promotion and hosted Bishop Lavis CC at the Navy Sports Ground in Gordon’s Bay on Saturday (14 January).
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, which proved to be a good decision, as patient and cautious batting coupled with poor fielding from HHCC led Bishop Lavis to a very defendable 234/8 in their allotted 50 overs.
Shameel Abels (3/36) and Ebrahim Arnold (2/27) were the pick of the bowlers for the home side.
In the batting department HHCC never looked comfortable and lost wickets at regular intervals. They only managed to score 111 (all out) and suffered a 123-run defeat, only their third loss of the season. Yaasien Railoun (27) was the only batsman to really contribute.
The HHCC second team travelled to Atlantis CC on the same day. Atlantis CC won the toss and batted first, scoring a competitive 178 (all out). Rewayne Viljoen (3/29) and Gasant Moller (3/32) were the chief destroyers.
The total proved much too low for HHCC as they cruised to an eight-wicket bonus-point victory largely thanks to Irshaad Salie’s magnificent unbeaten 76 runs. He was well supported by twin brother Rashaad (38*) and Tauriq Oliver (37).
The HHCC third team travelled to Glamorgan to face Vikings CC. The hosts batted first and were bowled out for 141 with spinners Waqaar Josephs and Shakeel Railoun (two wickets each) wreaking havoc.
HHCC made light work of the total as they won with four wickets. Rameez Appolis (30), Josephs (23) and Ilyaas Petersen (21) were the main contributors.
This coming weekend sees the HHCC first team play Somerset West CC in a derby at Radloff Park, the second team hosts Bellville CC and the thirds team take on Sir Lowry Pass CC (away).
