It was one win from three league matches for the teams of Helderberg Cricket Club (HCC) at the weekend, with the Somerset West club’s second team the only victorious side.
The HCC second team triumphed over hosts Ottomans CC in a Reserve D match in Surrey Estate, Athlone, on Sunday 23 January, while the first and third team were on the losing side against Mitchells Plain CC and Bergvliet CC, respectively, on Saturday 22 January.
In a low-scoring affair, the HCC first team locked horns with MPCC at Helderzicht Sports Ground in a First Division C match. The home side fielded first and, thanks to excellent, economical bowling, had the visitors battling to get the scoreboard ticking.
They restricted MPCC to 140 (all-out) after 40 overs, with the bowling prowess of Dexter Hindley (3/37 in 10 overs), Shane Fredericks (2/14 in three overs) and Gasant Moller (2/23 om 10 overs) dominating the innings. A handy contribution by Damian Jooste (1/23 in overs) also aided the home side’s bowling efforts.
With a reachable target set by hosts, the HCC batsmen started their innings well, but this did not last too long. As was the case in their derby match against Somerset West CC the week before, the batting let the HCC charges down and they stumbled their way to 102 (all-out) in 36 overs and a 38-run defeat.
For the home side, it was again only Gary-Jon Sylvester (48) who performed with the willow.
The HCC seconds continued their winning form with a narrow five-run victory over Ottomons CC. The local side batted first and set-up a defendable 220/8 in their 50 overs. Jerome van Niekerk (62) Lyle Jackson (34) and Darren Cloete (32) were the top scorers for HCC.
In their innings, Ottomons came close to the target, but the HCC bowlers managed to claim all the scalps by the 50th over with the score on 215. Gregan Mouwers (3/26 in 10 overs), Jackson (2/43 in 10 overs) and Cloete (2/36 in 10 overs) led the team to victory with the bowling performances.
The HCC third team could not withstand the efforts of Bergvliet CC in their Third Division C match at Helderzicht, as they slumped to a nine-wicket defeat.
The home side batted first, scoring 109/6 in their 35 overs. Lenael Trezires (33*) was in good knick with the bat, but was forced to retire as a result of an injury, while Algrine Beukes (25*) was the other top-scorer for HCC.
The Bergvliet batsmen made quick work of the tally (110/1), knocking it down in just 26,2 overs to claim victory. Lincoln du Toit (1/3 in one over) was the only HCC bowler to pick up a wicket. This coming weekend, the HCC first team travels to the north to face Bellville South CC, the seconds are away against Glamorgan CC and the third team locks horns with their MPCC counterparts.
