Hottentots Holland Cricket Club’s (HHCC) first team hosted the table topping Avendale CC on Saturday 19 March, recording a 16-run victory at the Naval Sports Ground in Gordon’s Bay.
The home side won the toss and decided to bat first. After losing three early wickets, they managed to string a few good partnerships together. Mieftaah Oliver (43) was in fine form and was well supported by Fuad Behardien (29) and Shameel Abels (27) as the home side posted a competitive 180/9 in 50 overs.
The HHCC bowlers came out all guns blazing as they restricted the Athlone, Cape Town-based team on all ends. Economical bowling saw the visitors score 164/9 in their 50 overs, with Yusri Jabodien picking up four scalps in his team’s win.
On the same day, the HHCC second team hosted Mitchells Plain CC at the Abattoir Sports Ground. The visitors batted first and managed to score 160 (all-out), as the host’s Shuaib Salie took three wickets.
In the batting department Hottentots Holland CC romped to a seven-wicket bonus-point victory as Aaqib Achmat (71*) played an amazing innings.
The next day (Sunday 20 March) the HHCC third team hosted Cape Town CC in Gordon’s Bay, where the visitors batted first and scored 163/5 in 35 overs. Fuad Behardien (three wickets) was the top bowler for HHCC.
In the batting department, the home side fell agonisingly short as they lost by just three runs. Uthmaan Sha (44) and Yaasien Railoun (31) top-scored.
On 21 March, the HHCC’s first team hosted St Augustine CC at the Naval Sports Ground, batting first and setting up a putrid target of 82 with Saints producing a brilliant bowling display.
The home side showed some fighting spirit, but couldn’t pull over their unthinkable, as the visitors won the game with four wickets.
The HHCC seconds travelled to Elfindale in Heathfield, Cape Town to face their counterparts on the same day. The home side batted first and were bowled out for 106, with Wahid Martin (3/6) and Ismaeel Smit (2/22) performing well with the ball.
The visitors managed to reach the total with two wickets in-hand, with Behardien (39) top-scoring as the HHCC second team were crowned Reserve 2E league winners.
The HHCC third team hosted Primrose on Monday, with the visitors batting first and scoring 156 in 35 overs. Zain Railoun (three wickets) was the top bowler for the home side. In turn, the HHCC batsmen fought valiantly but unfortunately fell 15 runs short of the target.
