A Second Division cricket derby between Macassar Cricket Club and Strand Cricket Club proved a one-sided affair under hot and clear conditions on Sunday 5 November as Strand CC emerged victorious with a bonus-point win.
Electing to bat first at Riverside Park in Macassar, Strand had a slow but steady start to its innings which were anchored with a half-century by Yasin Januarie (67) as well as notable contributions from Thurlow Cloete (47) and Sharwaan Naidoo (35).
A collective team effort helped Strand reach a total of 224/7 after 40 overs. In the bowling department Macassar’s Celenschi van Graan impressed with figures of 4-44 with a notable contribution by David Sebastian (2-14).
At the change of innings Macassar were struggling at 16/3 in the opening exchanges, but Sebastian also starred with the bat to score 51 and give Macassar a fighting chance.
Strand captain Johan Cyster led the bowling charge to restrict Macassar’s run rate, and he was ably supported by Zunaid Siljeur and Wayne Cloete, who each produced epic bowling to take three wickets a piece.
Macassar lost wickets at regular intervals and eventually buckled under the pressure when they were bowled out for 136.
The man of the match went to Januarie for his knack with the bat and excellent work behind the wickets.
This coming Saturday (11 November) Strand are scheduled to face Northpine Cricket Club at Gustrouw Sports Grounds.
In the First Division A league, Hottentots-Holland Cricket Club (HHCC) travelled to Epping to face Vikings CC and were sent in to bat first.
They lost three early wickets, but were saved through some good partnerships in the middle order, which propelled HHCC to a decent total of 200 all out.
Naeem Rhoda (56) and captain Waleed Smith (50) were the top scorers.
In the bowling department HHCC opening bowlers ripped through the batting line-up of Vikings.
Guillaume Jansen took five wickets for 15 runs while his opening partner Imtiyaaz Oslodien took 4-19 as HHCC dismissed Vikings for 56, grabbing a massive 144-run bonus-point win.
This week sees the HHCC first team travel to face Strandfontein CC.
In a First Division D encounter, Helderberg Cricket Club recorded a memorable win over Nyanga CC at the Helderzicht Sports Ground. Helderberg were sent to bat first and scored 237 all out, as Gary-Jon Sylvester (74) and Damian Jooste (46) top scored.
Nyanga were never in the game and were outplayed as they were bowled out for 87 in 22 overs. Jooste (5-5) and Dexter Hindley (4-39) were the pick of the bowlers.
