Hottentots–Holland Cricket Club (HHCC) claimed a remarkable and memorable two-run victory at the weekend, which granted them automatic promotion to the Western Province Cricket Association First Division A league for the first time in the club’s history.
This after the HHCC first team hosted Blue Bells at the Navy Sports Ground on Saturday (25 February).
HHCC won the toss and decided to bat first. After losing an early wicket, Ebrahim Pedro and Rewayne Viljoen steadied the ship for HHCC as they put on a very good 67-run partnership. Wickets at regular intervals halted some of the HHCC run-scoring, but Rasool Thomas came in at the death and smashed 47 off just 26 balls and was well supported by Yaaseen Smith (23) as HHCC scored a very good 237 all-out in their allotted 50 overs. Pedro (30) and Viljoen (35) also contributed.
With ball in hand, HHCC relied once again on young fast bowler Guillaume Jansen as he struck with two early wickets. Big partnerships were built by Blue Bells CC during the middle period which left them in control of the game. With Blue Bells CC needing just 13 runs to win and with 5 wickets in hand, the local side had their backs against the wall. HHCC then turned to Viljoen with ball in hand and he didn’t disappoint as he grabbed three wickets in one over. Jansen then came back into the attack and with all the pressure on his shoulders, grabbed the final wicket to give HHCC a win for the books, and promotion to division 1A with three games in hand.
The HHCC second team faced Helderberg CC in a Reserve D derby clash. HHCC batted first and amassed a massive 359-4. The total always proved a bridge too far for Helderberg CC as they were bowled out for 85.
The HHCC third Team hosted Tygerberg CC. HHCC batted first and scored a mammoth 250-2 in their allotted 35 overs. Tygerberg CC were eventually bowled out for 95 with Shakeel Railoun taking 5-13.
The HHCC women’s game was cancelled.
This weekend the first team of HHCC has a bye after their fixture was moved to a later date. The second team faces Ottomans CC at home whilst the thirds play to Primrose away.
Across the other side of the Helderberg, Macassar Cricket Club’s (MCC) first team hosted Bergvliet Cricket Club at Riverside Oval Macassar in a WPCA First Division D clash played on Saturday (25 February), and despite valiant efforts the Seagulls were outplayed and lost the encounter.
The hosts lost the toss and were asked to bowl first in mildly windy but sunny conditions. Bergvliet got off to a flying start thanks to their captain Franklin le Fleur. However, opening bowler Kyle Erasmus got the breakthrough in his first over. The visitors still went on to bat at a high strike rate, despite wickets falling, and eventually ended their innings on a highly defendable 298/9. The pick of the bowlers for Macassar were Julian Salie (2/38), Celenschi van Graan overs (2/38) and Morten Jantjies (2/47). MCC never really got going with their batting and were bowled out in 40 overs for a mere 147.
Meanwhile the second team travelled to Durbanville where they lost the toss and were sent in to bat, and wickets at regular intervals resulted in MCC being bowled out for a lowly 101 in 34.5 overs. Durbanville CC got to their target in 13.1 overs as they secured a bonus point win.
On Sunday (26 February), the Macassar girls travelled to Khayelitsha only to find no opponents to play against. The Seagirls, however, claimed the points.
