The Hottentots-Holland Cricket Club (HHCC) first team travelled to Radloff Park to face neighbours Somerset West CC (SWCC) in a Western Province First Division B derby clash on Saturday (21 January).
SWCC won the toss and elected to field, with HHCC openers Hishaam Slamdien and Ebrahim Pedro starting off with a bang as they took the score to 77/0 in the first 10 overs.
Pedro (33) and Slamdien (38) eventually lost their wickets, but paved the way for captain Waleed Smith and Uthmaan Sha, who kept the scoreboard ticking in the middle overs.
HHCC had a mini collapse in the death, but managed to post a defendable 222 (all out), in their innings. For SWCC, Nigel Dirks (4/39), Jan Rademan (3/37) and Hein Claassen (1/40) were the best bowlers.
In the SWCC innings, an amazing bowling spell by debutant Guillaume Jansen set the tone for HHCC as he claimed 2/16 in 10 overs. This opened the way for the spinners Mieftaah Oliver (2/8), Abdul Aziz Temoor (2/12) and Shameel Abels (2/16) to wreak havoc in the hosts’ batting line-up as they were eventually bowled out for 105. HHCC recorded a bonus-point victory and maintained their lead on top of the table.
Meanwhile, the HHCC second team hosted Bellville CC at the Navy Sports Ground in Gordon’s Bay. The home side batted first and were in trouble at 90/7, but cameos by Rashaad Salie (33), Rasool Thomas (26), Gasant Moller (28*) and Shuaib Salie (22) led HHCC to 172 all out.
With ball in hand, it was Thomas who starred as he claimed figures of 7/27, including a sensational hat-trick, as Bellville CC could only manage 135/10 tp hand HHCC a bonus-point win.
The HHCC third team travelled to Sir Lowry’s Pass to face Sir Lowry’s Pass CC, who batted first and scored a mammoth 240/10 in their 35 overs. Shakeel Railoun (4/28) was the only HHCC bowler to trouble the hosts.
In their innings HHCC never looked comfortable and were bowled out for 88 runs.
All three HHCC teams will be in action at home this coming weekend, with the first team facing Montrose CC in Gordon’s Bay, the seconds hosting Durbanville CC and the thirds Blue Bells CC.
The SWCC first team plays Bishop Lavis CC, the seconds Rylands CC, the thirds UWC at home, the fourth and fifth lock horns at Radloff Park, while the women face Hanover Park CC.
