Junaid Sylvester starred with the bat for Helderberg Cricket Club’s (HCC) first team in its encounter against Blue Bells CC at the weekend, but his efforts were in vain as his team slumped to another defeat.
The sides met in a First Division C league outing at Helderzicht Sports Ground on Saturday 12 March, with the local side suffering a three-wicket loss. HCC batted first and scored 146 (all out) in 42 overs, with the victors making light work of the target, scoring 147/7 in 40 overs.
The local side got off to a shaky start, losing their opening pair cheaply. Sylvester, who came into bat at number-three, anchored the innings and kept things together as the wickets continued to fall around him.
He top-scored with 91 runs and took his side to their eventual target thanks to support by Dexter Hindley (27).
In the bowling department, the attack of HCC troubled the Blue Bells CC batsmen, but the target was just too small in the end. Hindley (2/17), Gasant Moller (2/24) and Shane Fredericks (2/42) were the pick of the bowlers.
Meanwhile the HCC second team were also on the losing side in their league encounter against Bellville CC at Helderzicht Sports Ground on Saturday. As was the case with the club’s first team, the batting ultimately was just not on par on the day, as they suffered a three-wicket defeat.
HCC batted first and struggled to string any decent partnerships together. They were all bowled out for 78 after 25,4 overs with Alton Roberts top-scoring with 14 runs.
The Helderberg bowlers came out guns blazing, but could not pull through for their side, as Bellville CC knocked off the target and ended on 82/7 after 21,4 overs. Aiden Salie (4/19) and Chad Hendrickson (2/19) performed well with the ball for the home team.
This coming weekend will see the final two league matches of both HCC teams for the season. The first team takes on Somerset West CC at home (Saturday 19 March) and Mitchells Plain CC away (Monday 21 March), while the second team locks horns with Belhar CC at home (Saturday) and Atlantis CC away (Monday).
