Strand Cricket Club (SCC) once again produced an epic all-round performance in their Second Division match against Ikamva Cricket Club on Saturday (17 February).
The local lads recorded a bonus-point victory and now sit comfortably in fifth place on the log standings after 17 games.
SCC hosted Ikamva CC at Gustrouw Sport Grounds, with the home side losing the toss and fielding first.
Opening bowlers Wayne Cloete (1/21) and Winston Isaacs (1/15) bowled accurately and built a lot of pressure, which set the trend for a good bowling display. Captain Johan Cyster (4/24) and Fahiem van Niekerk (3/24) were the pick of the bowlers.
Ikamva CC were all bowled out for 98 runs in 33 overs.
At the change of innings Strand lost two wickets early on, but top-scorer Lesley Taylor (46*) formed a good partnership with Thurlo Cloete (16) to lay a good foundation. Wayne Cloete (17*) continued with Taylor to take their side to victory in the 18th over.
This weekend SCC will be in action in two games, on travelling to face Cape Force CC on Saturday 24 Feburary and hosting Macassar CC in a derby on Sunday 25 February.
In First Division A, Hottentots Holland Cricket Club (HHCC) were in need of a win to secure status in the top league in Western Province next season. They travelled to Ravensmead to face Tygerberg Cricket Club.
The local side won the toss and decided to bat and were going steady at 40/2 after the power play. However, a cluster of wickets then fell, which left HHCC in dire straights.
The pressure became too much and HHCC were eventually bowled out for a measly 89 runs. Debutant Ilyaas Petersen top-scored with 27.
In reply, the Tygerberg CC batsmen came out all guns blazing and chased down the target with relative ease reaching the target with seven wickets in hand.
With four games remaining HHCC currently occupy second last position on the log, only two points away from safety. They will host rivals United CC at the Naval Sports Ground in Gordon’s Bay this weekend.
In First Division B, Somerset West Cricket Club (SWCC) recorded a four-wicket win over St Augustine Cricket Club (Saints) in an away fixture.
The home side batted first and faced some tight bowling from vistors. Nigel Dirks (3/12), Ghaulied van Schalkwyk (3/43) and Robert Uys (2/20), took wickets regularly and restricted the run-rate of their opponents, who only managed 136/10 in 45 overs.
In the batting department SWCC struggled to find rhythm, but kept the scoreboard ticking with contributions by Tim Boyd (42) and Allistair Simpson (28).
In the end, they reached the total in 41 overs.
This coming Saturday, SWCC will host Edgemead CC at the Alan Olsen Oval, Radloff Park.
In First Division D, Helderberg Cricket Club (HCC) lost by a narrow margin when they travelled to face Sherwood Manenberg Cricket Club.
HCC won the toss and elected to bat. The consistent Gary-Jon Sylvester top-scored with a knock of 72, with notable contributions from Damian Jooste (65) and Jody Sylvester (23) as HCC reached a defendable total of 230/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
At the change of innings Sherwood Manenberg CC started with similar confidence as the visitors. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals they managed to keep up their run rate.
Dexter Hindley (3/43) and Jooste (3/51) bowled well, but in the end the home team managed to reach the target in 48 overs.
The Helderzicht side sits comfortably in fourth position on the log standings and will host Mitchells Plain Cricket Club at home this weekend.
