Somerset West Cricket Club (SWCC) returned to winning ways when its first team secured a seven-wicket victory over Belhar CC in a First Division B encounter at Radloff Park’s Alan Olsen Oval on Saturday 18 January.
After winning the toss and opting to field first, SWCC kept a tight leash on the run rate and restricted the Belhar batsmen.
Leading the charge was Jean de Wet (3/23), who was ably supported by Robert Uys (2/14) and Ghaulied van Schalkwyk (2/17) as they managed to bowl Belhar out for a low total of 151 in the 47th over.
SWCC captain Larry Morkel once again showed his skill with the bat, as he racked-up 60 runs off 48 balls to lead the local lads to victory in the 27th over. Valuable contributions were also made by De Wet (30*) and Matthew Dickson (27).
SWCC will travel to face Blue Bells CC this weekend.
In First Division A, Hottentots Holland Cricket Club (HHCC) played two games over the weekend. In the first, the club bounced back with an important win over Gugulethu CC on the road.
HHCC were asked to field first, and this worked to their advantage as they took wickets regularly, and after 11 overs Gugulethu were reeling on 29/7. However, the home side crawled their way back into the game and were bowled out for 168 in the 48th over. The pick of the bowlers were Guillaume Jansen (6/35) and Yusri Jabodien (2/32).
Yet again, HHCC started their batting innings on the back foot as they lost three wickets in the first seven overs.
A good fight-back by Irshaad Salie (44) and Junaid Daniels got HHCC back on track and they reached 75/3 at drinks. HHCC then chose a cautious and stable approach to the chase with Junaid Daniels (52) and Marwaan Wanza (20*) putting in a brilliant display of batting to steer HHCC to a two-wicket victory.
In the second match, HHCC faced St Augustine’s CC, who elected to bat first after winning the toss. The HHCC bowling attack struggled and at drinks the visitors were on 66/1. However, the HHCC delivered a fight-back as they had Saints on 149/6 by the next drinks break.
Saints were eventually bowled out for 201, with the pick of the HHCC bowlers being Wanza (5/34) and Jameel Ismail (2/29).
In their innings, the hosts struggled to get going, with the score on 71/4 by the drinks break.
A good fight-back by Waleed Smith (44) gave the home team hope, but wickets fell at regular intervals and HHCC lost the encounter by 77 runs as they were bowled out for 124.
Their next match will be against Northerns-Goodwood CC on the road this weekend.
In First Division D, Helderberg CC suffered a dismal 139-run against Bellville South CC.
Helderberg won the toss and elected to field first, and managed to contain the flow of runs as they restricted Bellville South to 204/10 in the 43rd over. The pick of the bowlers were Jody Sylvester (3/36) and Sloane Erasmus (2/18).
In the batting department, Helderberg struggled and lost wickets regularly as they slumped to 65/10.
Also, in First Division D, Strand CC romped to victory over Mitchells Plain CC at the weekend.
Mitchells Plain elected to bat first and Strand opening bowlers Gesant Moller (2/20) and Johan Cyster (1/25) applied the pressure with good disciplined bowling to restrict their opponents to 66/3 after 24 overs. Winston Isaacs (4/37) and Ashwyn Julies (2/30) came in with great support as Mitchells Plain were bowled out for 135.
Strand batted cautiously and, despite losing some wickets, brave batting by Yasin January (38) and Lesley Taylor (33) led the team to the target in the 36th over, recording a bonus-point victory.
This coming weekend, Helderberg CC face Strand CC in a First Division D derby at Helderzicht Sports Grounds.
