The latest round of WPCA club cricket saw local teams battling across league and Ama20 formats.
Hottentots-Holland Cricket Club’s (HHCC) first team secured a crucial bonus-point win in their WPCA First Division A league opener against Pinelands on Saturday 11 October. Winning the toss and bowling first, HHCC restricted Pinelands to 128/10 thanks to exceptional bowling spells from Achmat Smith (3/17) and player/coach Abdul Aziz Temoor (3/29).
In the chase, HHCC struggled and regularly lost wickets, but Temoor’s experience shone through. He anchored the innings with a mature 38*, steering the team to a morale-boosting triumph, supported by Fuad Behardien (24).
On Sunday, the team traveled to face Pinelands in an Ama20 clash.
The hosts batted first and raced to 92/1 in 10 overs. Superb bowling by Shameel Abels (3/19) and Riyaad Oliver (2/19) ensured that Pinelands only got to 142 in their 20 overs.
In reply HHCC started well, reaching 40/1 after six overs, but they skumped thereafter and only managed to score 100/8 in their 20 overs. Shakoer Baderoen (41*) carried his bat.
This weekend HHCC will be on the road to face Kraaifontein CC.
In the Ama20 tournament, the first team of Helderberg Cricket Club (HCC) showed its flair, handing Atlantis CC a five-wicket defeat. Chasing 119 for the win, Jody Sylvester (49*) and Marcello Thomas (32) led the charge, securing the win with two balls to spare.
Gregan Mouers (2/14) and Chad Bailey (2/23) were the chief destroyers with the ball.
This Saturday HCC travels to face Bergvliet CC in their First Division C league opener, while they lock horns with Blue Downs in Atlantis in an Ama20 match on Sunday.
Strand CC (SCC) secured their first Ama20 win in a tense, low-scoring affair against Northpine CC. Batting first, SCC set a target of only 82 runs, with Tino Dampies (47) the pick of the batsmen.
Strand’s bowlers were in good form, with captain Winston Isaacs (2/10), Ricardo Naidoo (2/10), and Adam Ramjee (2/15) bowling Northpine out for just 67 as their ream claimed a 14-run victory.
SCC could not replicate this perfomance in their next Ama20 against Seacrest CC, as they suffered a 17-run defeat.
They start their 50-over First Division D league campaign on the road against Mitchells Plain CC on Saturday, followed by an Ama20 clash against Khayelitsha CC on Sunday.
Macassar CC (MCC) advanced to the semi-finals of the Ama20 tournament, beating Mitchells Plain CC. The MCC batters set a target of 115, but the game was won by the destructive bowling of Damio Machelm (4/11) as Mitchells Plai were bowled out for 87.
In the batting department, Safiek Johannes (36) and Peter Samuels (46*) were in good nick.
MCC open their First Division D 50-over league season with an away fixture against Montrose CC this Saturday.
