Helderberg Cricket Club (HCC) hosted Cravenby CC in a First Division C fixture at the Helderzicht Sports Grounds on Saturday 3 December, with the home side falling only nine runs short of victory.
The visitors were asked to bat first and were consistent in keeping the scoreboard ticking despite periods of tight bowling from HCC. Cravenby eventually scored a decent total of 234/6 in 50 overs.
Helderberg’s top performers with the ball were Gary-Jon Sylvester (2/27) and Dexter Hindley (2/51).
HCC started their innings positively, as the opening batsmen gave the hosts a strong start and kept well within range of the required run-rate.
As wickets fell, so did the scoring rate and in the final over the target was just out of reach as HCC ended on 226/8 in 50 overs.
Craig Petterson (39), Damian Jooste (33) and Sylvester (30) were the top scorers for Helderberg.
The HCC first team has played six games this season, recording one win and five losses.
HCC’s second team were in action in the Reserve D league on Saturday and Sunday (4 December), winning one and suffering one defeat.
They faced Belhar CC on Saturday and were set a target of 227 as Lyle Jackson (3/50) and Kilermo Rafferty (1/26) showed their bowling prowess.
But the HCC batsmen failed to get going and lost regular wickets, and were eventually bowled out for 186 after 43,2 overs. The only resistance came from Sean Fredericks (47), Tyrone Ross (33) and Evan van Boom (30).
The following day, the team faced Atlantis CC, looking to overturn the result of the previous day. HCC walloped to a formidable 350/8 after 50 overs. Junaid Sylvester (144) led the charge and he was supported by Declan Fredericks (57) and Tyrick Rossouw (37*).
Atlantis put on a brave run-chase, but superb bowling and fielding by HCC denied them, as they eventually scored 277/9 in 50 overs. The pick of the bowlers in the 73-run victory were Sylvester (4/33) and Jooste (2/47).
The HCC women’s team were also in action on Sunday, locking horns with St Augustine’s CC in a 20-over fixture. Saints scored only 66 runs in their alloted overs, thanks to good bowling from HCC’s Mandy Damons (2/19) and Herlien Sinclair (2/12).
In the batting department the HCC women made quick work of chasing down the target, surviving an early scare when they lost several wickets.
But in the end, they managed to reach the target with three wickets to spare after 12,4 overs. The top performers with the bat were Inge Daniels (17), Joy Stone (14*) and Damons (8*).
This weekend, the HCC first team plays Belhar CC (away), while the second team plays at home against Durbvanville CC.
