Somerset West Cricket Club’s first team got the second half of the 2021-’22 season off to a good start with a bonus-point victory over neighbours Helderberg Cricket Club at Radloff Park on Saturday (15 January).
The much-anticipated First Division C derby saw the home side record a 76-run win and retain the top spot on the log following the annual festive season break.
The home side won the toss and elected to bat, a decision which first proved to be contentious as runs were hard to come by on a spongy and slow wicket.
The SWCC batsmen also had to contend with a disciplined and fiery HCC bowling attack that picked up wickets at regular intervals.
While the home side’s batters grafted for periods in front of the sticks, they battled to convert their time at the crease to runs – an aspect the Helderberg bowlers capitalised on.
In the end, the hosts were bowled out for 173 in 46,5 overs with contributions by Larry Morkel (39), Estiaan Groenewald (28) and Jan Rademan (24) taking their side to a defendable total. For HCC, Tyrone Abrahams (3/38), Dexter Hindley (2/11) and Latino Dampies (2/35) were the chief destroyers with the ball.
The visitors started their chase on a positive note, but quickly lost opener Marcello Thomas (9) in the fifth over.
The HCC batsmen looked comfortable at the crease and were cruising along at 58/2 in the 18th over, when Niel Theron (4/24) stepped up to change SWCC’s fortunes.
Theron delivered superb line and length bowling, and troubled the HCC batsmen with every ball. The visiting side crumbled and were eventually bowled out for 97 in 38,1 overs, with stalwart opening batsman Gary-Jon Sylvester (39) the only batter to reach double figures.
On the bowling front for SWCC, Theron was ably assisted by Rademan (2/10) and Gouws Koen (2/18).
. Meanwhile, the HCC second team hosted Atlantis CC in a Reserve D League encounter at Helderzicht Sports Ground on the same day, recording a well-deserved seven-wicket win.
Atlantis CC batted first and finished their innings on 126/7 after 45 overs. For Helderberg, J Sylvester (2/18) and S Koopman (2/21) were in fine form with the leather.
In their innings, the HCC batters made quick work of the tally, crossing the line in the 27th over with the final score on 127/3. Number 4 batsman Sylvester (67*) was in good knick with the willow, leading his team to a memorable victory.
. The third team of HCC were also in action as they locked horns with Sir Lowry’s Pass CC in a 35-over Third Division C encounter at the Helderzicht Sports Ground B-field and were convincingly defeated by nine wickets.
HCC batted first and the SLP bowlers ripped through the batting attack from the start, bowling out the home side for 56 in just 19 overs.
None of the Helderberg batsmen managed to reached double figures.
For their time at the crease, the SLP batsmen needed only nine overs to cross the line, ending their innings on 57/1. C Hendrickson (1/13) was the only HCC bowler to claim a scalp.
