An all-round performance by the Hottentots Holland Cricket Club’s (HHCC) first team secured victory for the local team in their match against Yorkshire CC at the Navy Sports Ground in Gordon’s Bay on Saturday 19 February.
The visitors won the toss and sent the hosts in to bat, a decision which initially seemed to pay off as they bagged four wickets early and left HHCC reeling at 33/4. But the mini collapse was followed by a great 63-run partnership between Mieftaah Oliver (32) and Abdul Aziz Temoor (58), which brought HHCC back into the game.
The partnership ended when Oliver lost his wicket, but captain Rasool Thomas (66) joined Temoor, and they continued to smash the Yorkshire bowlers around the park. Thomas dedicated his half-century to his late father, Yunus, who died a week prior (“Groot krieket- en rugbygees gegroet”, DistrictMail, 17 February). HHCC eventually ended their innings on a defendable 263 (all out).
The home team’s bowlers started well with opening bowler Yusri Jabodien claiming a wicket with the very first ball of the Yorkshire innings. Thereafter, a few more wickets fell as the visitors battled to get their innings going.
But a gritty partnership ensued and HHCC struggled to break the steady climb towards the target. Young star Shameel Abels (3/75) was brought into the attack and he immediately answered his captain’s call for a breakthrough, claiming a crucial wicket.
This broke the proverbial camel’s back and Yorkshire quickly lost a string of wickets. They were all bowled out for 219 runs, handing HHCC a well-deserved 34-run win.
The HHCC third team hosted Northerns-Goodwood CC at the Abattoir Sports Ground in Strand on the same day. The hosts batted first and scored a good, competitive 224/2 in 35 overs, thanks to contributions by opener Aaqib Achmat (79*) and Irshaad Salie (54).
But the HHCC bowlers failed to come to the party and were completely overhauled by the Northerns-Goodwood batters, who managed to chase down the target in just 31,4 overs. Wahid Martin (2/35) was the pick of the HHCC bowlers.
