A second loss in two games has spelt a slow start to the league season in First Division A for Hottentots Holland Cricket Club, who lost by 40 runs on Saturday 19 October against Gugulethu CC at the Gordon’s Bay Naval grounds.
Gugulethu batted first and the openers got off to a slow start and continued the trend throughout the innings, losing their first wicket in the eighth over. A mammoth 165 run second wicket partnership followed until the 44th over when Gugulethu increased the tempo towards the end, eventually closing their innings on 234/7. The pick of the bowlers for HHCC was Curtley Klaasen, with figures of 4/32.
HHCC went in to bat and started off positively but once again, the loss of wickets halted the progress and they were soon at 56/3 after 19 overs.
Naeem Rhoda (27) was well in his stride, bringing HHCC back into the game, but a lack of concentration caused an unwanted run-out.
Yaasin Jakoet (24) joined opener Hishaam Slamdien and the two made sure to steady the run-chase and slowed things down.
The fall of Jakoet and Slamdien (37) halted the chase with HHCC on 134/7 after 42 overs. Some inspiring shots and determination by Klaasen (24) and Shaameel Abels (18) gave HHCC a glimmer of hope, but in the end they fell short by 40 runs as they were bowled out for 196. HHCC’s next fixture is an away game against United CC.
In First Division B, Somerset West Cricket Club (SWCC) were also in the losing end in their league season opener when they were outplayed by Belhar CC.
SWCC lost the toss against Belhar and were asked to bat first, and were in early trouble on 2/3 and could never recover, eventually bowled out for a mere 67. Belhar CC went in to bat and got the score in the 12th over, winning by seven wickets.
This weekend SWCC will host Blue Bells CC at Radloff Park.
In First Division D, Strand CC lost to Mitchell’s Plain CC in a league match played at Gustrouw.
Mitchell’s Plain batted first and despite some good bowling were able to post a total of 200 all out.
Strand CC did their best to put up a fight during the run chase but the fall of wickets at regular intervals halted progress, and they were eventually bowled out for 137.
Also in First Division D, Helderberg Cricket Club (HCC) similarly lost their league match against Bellville South CC, defeated by six wickets.
HCC batted first and Gregan Mouers (42) and Jody Sylvester (27) were the only significant contributors as they guided the team to a total of 138 all out. In response, Bellville South CC cruised to the total, scoring 142/4.
This weekend sees Strand Cricket Club against Helderberg CC in a league match on Saturday and Ama20 fixture on Sunday, both games at Gustrouw.
In the Second Division, Macassar Cricket Club will face Lentegeur CC in an away fixture this Saturday.
