Somerset West Cricket Club (SWCC) ended the first half of its season with a tough five-wicket defeat against a clinical Bishop Lavis CC side in a First Division B clash at Radloff Park on Saturday (6 December).
Despite a valiant fightback led by Larry Morkel, SWCC’s batsmen struggled to post a competitive total, which Bishop Lavis chased down in the 46th over.
SWCC openers Jeanro Minnaar (20) and George Hlazo (15) struggled, but the innings was rescued by a resilient knock from Morkel (46*). The hosts eventually closed their innings on 182/8.
SWCC’s opening bowler Jason Lee Josephs was the standout performer, striking early and finishing with excellent figures of 3/28. However, stable partnerships in the Bishop Lavis CC middle order steadied the ship as they reached the target with ease to seal victory.
Meanwhile, Hottentots Holland Cricket Club (HHCC) hosted Milnerton CC at the Navy Grounds for their final home First Division A league fixture of the year.
HHCC batted first and, despite losing a couple of early wickets, Irshaad Salie raced to a well-played 40 runs. Abdul Aziz Temoor (89) and Shameel Abels, frustrated the visitors and notched up an outstanding 112-run ninth wicket partnership, which took HHCC to a competitive 195/10.
In reply, Milnerton CC raced to 75/1 in 17 overs and HHCC never recovered. A few drop catches allowed the visiting team to claim a four-wicket victory. Marwaan Wanza (3/68) was the pick of the HHCC bowlers.
In First Division C Helderberg CC (HCC) bounced back from defeat on Saturday to secure a vital victory in the Ama20 semi-final on Sunday (7 December).
In a league match on Saturday, HCC faced Vikings CC, who won the toss and elected to field. The HCC batsmen were restricted to a paltry 70/9. Only Dexter Hindley (19) showed resistance. Vikings chased the target down with ease to secure the seven-wicket win.
On Sunday, HCC faced Wynberg CC in the high-stakes Ama20 semi-final. Winning the toss and electing to bat, the innings was anchored by Marcello Thomas (47), as the local team scored 96/9 in their allotted overs.
The HCC bowlers dismantled the Wynberg CC batting line-up for just 52 runs, with Aidan Salie (3/5) leading the charge in the 44-run victory to secure Helderberg’s place in the Ama20 final.
In First Division D, Strand CC (SCC) were undone by fielding errors in a 56-run defeat against Bellville South CC.
SCC won the toss and elected to field, but missed opportunities allowed Bellville South’s batsmen to settle and build a respectable total of 188 runs. Johan Cyster (4/42) and Winston Isaacs (2/29) were the top SCC bowlers.
Strand started their chase positively, with Ricardo Naidoo (34) and Cammy Mitchell (34) providing a good platform. But a collapse in the middle order saw SCC battle to recover.
In another First Division D match, Macassar CC (MCC) secured a dramatic victory in the Ama20 semi-final after successfully defending a modest total against Seacrest CC in a nail-biting encounter in Observatory on Sunday.
MCC captain Robin Pretorius won the toss and elected to bat. The local team’s innings finished on 95/8 after 20 overs.
Pretorius backed his bowlers, entrusting Morten Jantjies with the new ball. Jantjies struck in the third over to open the door for Macassar.
The win was built almost entirely on the back of exceptional bowling, with Celenski van Graan and Jantjies both finishing with three wickets each.
Saturday 13 December sees the final league fixtures for the first half of the season. HHCC travels to Rosmead to take on Primrose CC, HCC hosts Blue Downs CC at Helderzicht, and MCC hosts SCC in a derby at Riverside Park.
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