Hottentots-Holland Cricket Club (HHCC) celebrated a sweet victory after clinching another bonus-point win, this time over guests Montrose Cricket Club in a Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) 1B League fixture played at the Helderzicht Sports Grounds in Somerset West on Saturday (28 January).
The match was initially scheduled to take place at the Navy Sports Ground in Gordon’s Bay, but the facility’s water-logged outfield called for a change in venue. The game was also reduced to 45 overs due to a delayed start.
In overcast conditions Montrose won the toss and opted to put their bowlers to task first. A good opening stand of 48 between batting partners, Hishaam Slamdien and Ebrahim Pedro, set the tone for HHCC.
Having lost Slamdien just before drinks, Yaasien Railoun came to the crease and continued to pile on the runs for HHCC as Pedro reached his half century. He eventually fell for 54 and Railoun followed for 31.
Mieftaah Oliver was deadly in the back end of the innings as he managed to score a quick fire 44 as HHCC reached a decent total of 209/9 in the allotted 45 overs.
In the change of innings Montrose lost two early wickets, but then strung a good partnership together. HHCC then introduced their spinners, Abdul Aziz Temoor, Mieftaah Oliver and Shameel Abels, and the trio wreaked havoc in the Montrose batting order.
Temoor (3/18), Oliver (3/25) and Abels (2/35) grabbed eight wickets between them as Montrose was dismissed for 138, handing HHCC another bonus point win.
The local outfit also recorded a bonus-point victory over neighbours Somerset West CC in last Saturday’s (21 January) derby clash (“HHCC stamps its authority,” DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 25 January).
The result means that HHCC still maintain their lead on top of the table as they push for promotion to the WPCA 1A League.
The HHCC second team and third team games were called off due to waterlogged outfields.
This coming weekend sees all HHCC teams on the road as the first team faces Yorkshire CC, the second team Belhar CC and the thirds play Cape Town CC.
