Hottentots Holland Cricket Club’s (HHCC) first team returned to winning ways over the weekend when it travelled to Elfindale to face St Augustine’s CC in a First Division B match on Saturday (19 November).
The hosts won the toss and chose to bat, which proved to be a good toss to lose for HHCC as opening bowlers Yaaseen Smith and Imtiyaaz Oslodien ripped through the Saints top order grabbing two wickets apiece to leave the hosts on 50/4 after 20 overs.
Pressure bowling from spinners Shameel Abels (1/36) and Mieftaah Oliver (1/19) put HHCC in the front seat. Ebrahim Arnold came in at the death and cleaned the tail, taking three quick wickets to leave HHCC a 172-run target to chase.
In the batting department, HHCC chased down the target with relative ease to get a comprehensive seven-wicket bonus-point victory.
Naeem Rhoda (64*) was in sublime form, while captain Waleed Smith (46) and Uthmaan Sha (24) also contributed with the willow.
Following the win, HHCC first team remain at the top of the table.
The HHCC second team hosted Northerns Goodwood CC at the Navy Sports Ground in Gordon’s Bay on the same day. In the match reduced to 40 overs a side due to a wet pitch, the hosts batted first and, after losing wickets at regular intervals and being 40-6 at one stage, it was up to Abdullah Arnold to save the innings. HHCC eventually scored 150/10 with Arnold (70) top scoring.
The total was too low as NGCC chased it down with five wickets in hand. Captain Riyaad Oliver (3/23) and Rasool Thomas (2/23) were the pick of the HHCC bowlers.
The HHCC thirds hosted St Augustine’s CC at Abbatoir Sports Ground in Strand. The visitors batted first and scored 155/10, with spinners Ismaeel Smit (3/27) and Ebrahim Pedro (2/13) the best bowlers.
Pedro then showed his class in the batting department as he played a good innings, scoring 48 runs in his side’s two-wicket win. Rewayne Viljoen (27) and Dawood Josephs (20) also contributed.
The HHCC women lost their league match with Helderberg CC by 10 wickets. HHCC batted first and scored 127, with Nuraan Fanie smashing 57 runs. But the Helderberg CC women were in fine form a smashed their way to victory.
This weekend, the HHCC first team plays away against Blue Bells CC, the seconds take on Helderberg CC (A), the thirds host Durbanville and the women travel to the north to take on NGCC.
