A100-run partnership was not enough to secure victory for Somerset West Cricket Club (SWCC) in a First Division B clash against Kuils River CC at the Alan Olsen Oval, Radloff Park, on Saturday (9 November).
Stand-in captain George Hlazo won the toss and opted to send the visitors in to bat. SWCC started well but it seemed that it was a good toss to lose, as the wicket was flat and the bowlers struggled to make in-roads, helped by many fielding errors. Kuils River CC amassed a formidable total of 266/1 in their 50 overs.
The lads of SWCC had a mountain to climb in the afternoon, but were met with skilled Kuils River bowling that resulted in the fall of wickets at regular intervals, until Hlazo (80) and Aqeel Dramat (60) came together and shared an impressive 100-run partnership.
After they lost their wickets, the rest of the SWCC batsmen tried to take the game as deep as possible, but they came short by 35 runs, ending their 50-over innings on 231/7.
SWCC travel to Bonteheuwel this coming weekend, where they would want to register a much needed win.
In First Division A, Hottentots Holland Cricket Club (HHCC) was up against log leaders Tygerberg CC. The former lost the toss and were sent in to bowl on a windy day in Gordon’s Bay.
The HHCC bowling pair of Curtley Klaasen and Guillaume Jansen once again put in a great effort with the ball upfront, with the first wicket going down in the eighth over on 32 runs.
However, their opponents crawled their way back into the game with substantial partnerships throughout their innings. Tygerberg ended their innings on 244/5, with Klaasen (2/54) and Yaasin Jakoet (2/27) being the pick of the HHCC bowlers.
The home team started their innings cautiously but lost their first wicket in the 10th over with score on 17 runs.
Another wicket fell shortly after, which put HHCC on the back foot. However a partnership between Naeem Rhoda (39) and Waleed Smith (57) stabilised the innings.
An unfortunate obstacle in the run- chase for HHCC came when Rhoda had to retire hurt due to an injury sustained on-field.
In the 39th over, HHCC were on 162/5 needing 82 from 66 balls.
At the back-end, a fighting spirit was on display by Irshaad Salie (21) and Curtley Klaasen (35*) to get to the target, but unfortunately the hosts fell short by 12 runs as they ended on 232/9.
HHCC will be again play home this weekend, when they welcome Northerns-Goodwood to the Navy Sports Ground.
In First Division D, Helderberg CC recorded a win against Mitchells Plain CC. The latter won the toss, elected to bat and were restricted to 127/10 in 30 overs. Gregan Mouers (3/31), Damian Jooste (3/36) and Evan van Boom (2/2) were the chief destroyers.
At the change of innings, Helderberg’s batsmen made light work of the target, reaching a total of 130/1 in 25.3 overs thanks to a telling display of batting by Jody Sylvester (70*) and Gary-Jon Sylvester (50*).
This weekend Helderberg will host South Peninsula CC at Helderzicht.
Also in First Division D, Strand CC were outplayed by Sherwood-Manenberg CC at Gustrouw Sports Ground.
Strand won the toss and elected to bowl first, but this decision proved a mistake as Sherwood-Manenberg dominated proceedings and tallied a score of 295/10. In response, Strand struggled to put together any meaningful partnerships and lost wickets regularly, as they only managed 145/10 in the 31st over.
This weekend Strand CC travel to face Nyanga CC.
