Somerset West Cricket Club (SWCC) secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Bonteheuwel CC in a First Division B match at Radloff Park’s Alan Olsen Oval on Saturday (15 February).
Bonteheuwel CC batted first and posted a total of 224/8 in their 50 overs. Ghaulied van Schalkwyk (3/31) was the pick of the SWCC bowlers, while Jason Josephs (3/54) also contributed.
SWCC chased down the target with ease, reaching 225/3 in just 36.3 overs. The chase was spearheaded by a brilliant innings from Jean de Wet, who smashed 81 runs off just 59 balls. Larry Morkel (67*) provided solid support, while Matthew Dickson (42) also contributed with the willow.
This weekend, SWCC will be on the road for a match against Vikings.
In First Division A, Hottentots Holland Cricket Club (HHCC) emerged victorious in their two outings at the weekend.
The club demonstrated resilience with the bat and dominance with the ball against Strandfontein on Saturday. They batted first, but their innings got off to a disastrous start as Strandfontein’s bowlers wreaked havoc to have the home side reeling at a precarious 19/4 after 12 overs. The wickets continued to tumble, and by the 19th over, HHCC slumped to 51/5.
Just when all hope seemed lost, Waleed Smith (130) and Abdul Aziz Temoor (22) forged a steady 83-run partnership to rescue their team from the brink. Their combined efforts propelled HHCC to a respectable 209/10.
With a defendable total, its players took to the field determined to make amends for their batting woes. Their bowlers delivered a heroic performance as Strandfontein’s batsmen struggled to cope and regularly lost wickets. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 101 runs in the 33rd over, handing HHCC a crucial bonus-point victory.
On Sunday HHCC faced fourth-placed Pinelands CC and defied the odds to claim a crucial bonus-point victory. HHCC again won the toss and chose to bat, but despite a solid start (48/1) after 17 overs, their batting woes resurfaced.
Wickets fell at regular intervals, and they were eventually bowled out for just 125 runs. Smith (21) and Shakoer Baderoen (20) were the only batsmen to provide some resistance.
Defending a low total on a challenging pitch, HHCC set out to deliver a special performance, with the bowlers producing an exceptional display to bamboozle the Pinelands batsmen and bowled them out for a paltry 67 to claim a 58-run victory. Marwaan Wanza (4/37) was the hero with the ball, while Yaaseen Smith (3/19) provided excellent support.
HHCC face another double-header this weekend, travelling to face Tygerberg on Saturday and Rylands on Sunday.
In First Division D, Strand CC (SCC) triumphed over Seacrest CC and secured a bonus point. Seacrest CC batted first, but faced immediate pressure from SCC’s opening bowlers, Gasant Moller (2/23) and Johan Cyster (1/36).
By the drinks break, Seacrest were struggling on 49/4 and SCC’s bowlers continued their dominant performance, with Ebrahim Latief (3/28) leading the charge with the support of Adeeb Bailey (2/9). Seacrest were all bowled out for 133 in the 43rd over.
SCC’s chase began well, but they had a mini-collapse, losing wickets in quick succession. However, a vital 90-run partnership between Sharwaan Naidoo (50) and Wayne Cloete (29) steadied the ship, and guided SCC to 137/8 and victory. SCC will want to carry this momentum into their away-match against Pollsmoor CC this Saturday.
Meanwhile, Helderberg CC (HCC) emerged victorious in their match against Pollsmoor, securing a 34-run win.
HCC won the toss and batted first, posting a total of 208/9 in 50 overs thanks to contributions by Jody Sylvester (80) and Gregan Mouers (28*).
Pollsmoor were bowled out in the 41st over, with the score on 174 runs. HCC’s chief destroyers were Mouers (3/28), Sylvester (3/22) and Salie (3/18).
HCC will host Nyanga CC at Helderzicht this weekend.
In the Second Division, Macassar CC (MCC) continued their unbeaten run, thrashing Wesbank CC on Saturday. Wesbank batted first, scoring 149/10. Morton Jantjies (3/13) was the pick of the bowlers.
In turn, MCC made light work of the chase, crossing the line in 23 overs. David Sebastiaan (58*) was the top run-scorer.
They next face Peninsula CC at Riverside Park.
