Strand Cricket Club took a major stride towards promotion when they outplayed CPUT in a Second Division clash this past Saturday (9 March).
CPUT decided to bat first after winning the toss, but it was Strand who started well with opening bowlers Winston Isaacs (2/20) and captain Johan Cyster ensuring runs were hard to come by with some tight bowling.
Supporting bowlers continued to apply the pressure and it paid off as CPUT were all out for just 147. Strand’s Wayne Cloete (3/16) and Vernon Swartland (3/29) were the pick of the bowlers.
At the change of innings, Strand’s opening batting pair of Yasin Januarie (34) and Logan Savory (45) started off briskly with a 65-run partnership in nine overs. Adeeb Bailey (16*) and Wayne Cloete (12*) ensured the bonus point win in the 23rd over.
This coming weekend Strand will play away to Delft and a win here, along with other fixtures going their way, will ensure promotion for the local lads to First Division D.
In other fixtures Helderberg Cricket Club (HCC) put on a dominant display at Langa Cricket Club in a one-sided victory in a First Division D fixture.
Helderberg won the toss and bowled first, which proved a great decision as they bowled Langa out for only 83. Gary-Jon Sylvester (4/19) and Sharick Swarts (3/12) were the chief destroyers.
In the batting department, Helderberg reached the target in no time to end the game and the season on a high, as they won by six wickets. Tyrick Rossouw (26) and Dominic Daniels (23) starred with the bat.
In First Division B, Somerset West Cricket Club (SWCC) also ended off their season with sweet victory. They played away to Victoria Cricket Club where they were sent in to bowl first.
This proved a good toss to lose as SWCC took early wickets and continued to claim wickets at regular intervals.
Robert Uys (4/31), Ghaulied van Schalkwyk (2/44) and Jason Lee Josephs (1/15) all put on top performances with the ball to restrict Victoria CC to a mere 138 all out.
The chase, however, did not go so smoothly, as SWCC too lost early wickets and struggled to keep up the run-rate.
The only formidable resistance came in the form of George Hlazo (49*) and Tim Boyd 31 as SWCC eventually reached the target with only one over to spare and one wicket in hand.
In First Division A, HHCC suffered a painful loss at Pinelands CC and now depend on other results going their way if they are to remain in the league.
HHCC lost the toss and were put in to bat first. Openers Hishaam Slamdien and captain Yaasien Railoun put on a 60-run stand before Slamdien fell. Irshaad Salie came to the crease and kept the runs ticking at a healthy rate. Wickets then started to fall at regular intervals as HHCC managed to score a competitive 210-9 in 50 overs. Railoun (64) and Salie (44) were the top scorers.
In the second innings, Pinelands started well with 70 without loss in the first 20 overs. Yaaseen Smith was then introduced and he grabbed four quick wickets to bring HHCC back into the game.
However, crucial drop catches and decisions not going the way of HHCC cost them the game as Pinelands won the match with five wickets in hand in the 49th over.
Current standings sees HHCC third from the bottom and relying on Brackenfell and Tygerberg to beat UCT and Vikings next week, respectively, if they wish to retain their status.
