The first team of Somerset West Cricket Club (SWCC) were in action in three games over the weekend, winning two and clinching the AMA20 First Division C trophy.
Although the local team lost their final game of the season and narrowly lost out on ending on top of the log, they have gained promotion to the First Division B league next season.
In the first clash on Saturday 19 March, SWCC played against Helderberg at Helderzicht Sports Ground, where they won the toss and opted to field.
After some loose bowling, Eugene Geldenhuys (4/20), Jan Rademan (2/9) and Gouws Koen turned on the screws and restricted Helderberg to 118 (all-out) in 32,1 overs.
In their innings, SWCC chased down the target in 19 overs with only two wickets down to win by eight wickets, picking up a bonus point. Larry Morkel (48*) and Jan Rademan (35*) were the best batsmen – see the Helderberg CC report on page 23.
On Sunday 20 March, the Somerset West charges took on Wynberg CC in the AMA20 final at Newlands Cricket Ground. The local lads won the toss and opted to field, with their opponents getting off to a flying start at 40/0 after four overs.
Superb bowling from Hein Claassen (3/23) and Gouws Koen (3/23), coupled by some excellent fieldwork, brought SWCC back into the game with Wynberg setting up a reachable 117 in the end.
Somerset West started their chase on a positive note with skipper Morkel (21) and Wiehann Meyer (40) sharing a 40-run partnership before Morkel lost his wicket. They were cruising along and looked certain to win, but good death bowling from the Wynberg bowlers made the task very difficult.
SWCC eventually won the match by seven wickets on the last ball of the game, and were crowned AMA20 First Division C champions.
Monday (21 March) saw a top-of-the-log clash at Radloff Park between SWCC and Blue Bells CC to decide the top two positions in First Division C.
The home side won the toss and opted to bat first, but the visitors were on top of their game with the leather and the SWCC batsmen struggled to stabilise the innings. They were all bowled out for a paltry 71 runs.
The Blue Bells chase ensued and it was soon evident that it was not going to be easy, with Rademan (5/23) and Koen (2/29) getting plenty of spin. But their efforts were not enough as SWCC slumped to a three-wicket loss as Blue Bells claimed a bonus-point and the league title.
Both sides have gained promotion to the First Division B league next season. Said SWCC captain Morkel: “To my team: you were great until the end. I stand here as a captain, thanking you for a great season, every one of you brought something special to this team, I’m grateful and proud for the fight you have shown throughout.”
Club chairperson Ryno Venter was full of praise for Morkel’s leadership throughout the season. “You leave a piece of yourself on the field every time you take it and seeing the culture you’ve created within the team, makes me proud. Congratulations on a great season, on a great run! Here’s hoping to many more!”
