It was a weekend to forget for both Somerset West Cricket Club (SWCC) and Hottentots Holland Cricket Club (HHCC), as both teams were outplayed in their respective fixtures.
In a First Division B clash SWCC hosted Kuils River Cricket Club at the Alan Olsen Oval at Radloff Park, where they won the toss and elected to bat first.
The openers got off to a good start with a 34-run partnership before the first wicket fell. This, however, brought about a massive collapse, and SWCC were bowled out for a paltry 110 runs.
The only batsmen who showed any resistance were Larry Morkel (44) and Ghaulied van Schalkwyk (21).
Kuils River CC made light of the chase and got to the target in just 18.1 overs, winning by 10 wickets and claiming a bonus point.
It’s back to the drawing board for SWCC who will travel to take on Bonteheuwel CC this weekend.
In First Division A, HHCC hosted Vikings CC in a relegation battle encounter.
HHCC won the toss and decided to field in good conditions. Early breakthroughs from Guillaume Jansen and Rasool Thomas pegged Vikings back. Yaaseen Smith ripped the middle order with three wickets, which left Vikings all out for 139.
Smith (3/19), Thomas (2/20) and Jansen (2/27) were the pick of the HHCC bowlers.
In reply the hosts were comfortable on 40/2 before rain intervened. The target was reduced from 139 to 121 runs in 43 overs.
HHCC then buckled under pressure, losing wickets at regular intervals coupled with extremely poor umpire decisions. They were eventually bowled out for 98 runs. HHCC are now bottom of the log and battling for survival.
This coming weekend sees HHCC host Strandfontein at the Naval Sports Grounds in Gordon’s Bay.
In a First Division D encounter, Helderberg Cricket Club (HCC) played away to Nyanga CC, where they lost the toss and were sent in to bat.
The batsmen played a slow but steady innings with contributions from Declan Fredericks (35), Damian Jooste (32) and Gregan Mouers (28*). HCC reached a total of 178/9 in 50 overs.
At the change of innings HCC bowled and fielded well, took wickets regularly and restricted the runs.
Gary-Jon Sylvester (5/28) was the pick of the bowlers, and was ably supported by Mouers (3/22) and Dexter Hindley (2/31) as they bowled out Nyanga for 119 in just 32 overs to record a 59-run victory.
HCC hosts Peninsula CC at Helderzicht Sports Grounds this weekend.
In the Second Division, Strand Cricket Club (SCC) recorded yet another win as they continue to impress this season.
They hosted Mamre CC at Gustrouw Sports Grounds. The visitors won the toss and sent Strand in to bat.
Openers Lesley Taylor and Yasin Januarie struggled in difficult batting conditions, before a 50-run partnership between Taylor (69) and Adeeb Bailey (39) for the second wicket propelled Strand to a score of 93/2 after 20 overs. Contributions by Thurlo Cloete (54*) and Winston Isaacs (31) took the total to a defendable 263/5.
Fahiem van Niekerk (4/32) opened the bowling innings and struggled against the wind, but recovered well. He was ably supported Isaacs (0/8 in 8 overs). Johan Cyster’s 3/20 completely knocked the wind out of the visitors’, who could only manage 90 runs in 32 overs to hand Strand a memorable 173-run victory.
This coming Saturday, Strand CC will travel to the Northern Suburbs to face Northpine CC.
