Strand Cricket Club (SCC) faced a challenging weekend in First Division D, enduring a setback by losing both of their league matches.
On Saturday 30 November, Strand CC welcomed Pollsmoor CC to Gustrouw where they won the toss and elected to bat first. But the innings was over quickly as they were bowled all out for 98, the top scorer being Ebrahim Latief with 29.
Pollsmoor CC chased the target down quickly as they reached 99/1 to hand Strand a nine-wicket defeat.
On Sunday, Strand CC faced Sherwood-Manenberg CC who won the toss and elected to bat first. The Strand bowlers delivered disciplined bowling to restrict Sherwood for 175 all out in 49.4 overs. The pick of the bowlers was Fahiem van Niekerk (4/3) and Adeeb Bailey (2/24). At the change of innings Strand CC struggled to build meaningful partnerships and lost wickets regularly on a tricky pitch as they were bowled out for 114 in 35 overs. The top scorer for Strand was Yasin Januarie with 33. Strand CC needs to regroup as they prepare for their upcoming away fixture against Bellville South this weekend.
Also in First Division D, Helderberg Cricket Club walked away with all the points as their opponents, Langa CC, forfeited the game. Helderberg will face Fish Hoek at the Helderzicht Sports Grounds this weekend.
In First Division A, Hottentots Holland Cricket Club (HHCC) slumped to a loss in their away fixture against Strandfontein CC.
HHCC lost the toss and were sent into bat first. They started their innings with a cautious approach as the opponents were hitting their targets from the start. After 14 overs, HHCC managed to put 41/2 on the board. A hard-fought 46-run partnership between Umar Crombie (19) and Uthmaan Sha (21) in the middle overs offered some stability in the HHCC innings but they lost wickets at regular intervals. By the 35th over, HHCC were on 115/6. A 77-run partnership between Naeem Rhoda (40) and Yaasin Jakoet (41) gave HHCC hope and ended their innings on a competitive 218 in the 50th over.
The opponents came out guns blazing and the HHCC bowlers struggled to keep up, as the chances for wickets were never taken. The first wicket came in the 18th over with the opponents on 150 runs, and they reached the target of 218 in the 33rd over. HHCC lost by seven wickets. HHCC is hitting the road again this weekend for a face-off against the log leaders Victoria CC on Saturday.
Meanwhile, in the Second Division Macassar continue to impress with yet another victory to extend their unbeaten run. They hosted Heideveld at Riverside Oval where the visitors won the toss and elected to field.
Macassar opening batsmen Shafiq Johannes and David Sebastian got a good start with a 39-run partnership before Sebastian lost his wicket for 15. This brought to the crease veteran Quinton Bowman, who could only add 10. Brandon Williams then joined Johannes and went on to score 19. Johannes eventually lost his wicket for a well-played 79 as Macassar were bowled out for 174.
At the change of innings Macassar turned all the screws when bowling, as the openers claimed a wicket each.
Spin twins Julian Salie (3/23) and Morten Jantjies (2/15) then joined the wicket column with brilliant spells.
The match was completed by David Sebastian with figures of 2/7 as Macassar bagged another bonus-point win. They will face CPUT at the Riverside Oval this weekend.
