The first team of Hottentots Holland Cricket Club (HHCC) suffered its first defeat of the season, when they travelled to Bothasig to face Edgemead CC in a Division 1B league encounter on Saturday (12 November).
After losing the toss HHCC was asked to bat on a green wicket, but never really got going as they struggled to build decent partnerships, eventually falling to a low 118 (all out).
Irshaad Salie (23) and Naeem Rhoda (20) were the only real contributors.
In the bowling department HHCC put up a typical fight, but the total proved way too low as Edgemead romped to a six-wicket victory.
Meanwhile, Somerset West Cricket Club’s (SWCC) first team travelled to Green Point to take on Altius United CC in search of their second win of the season. And the local lads delivered as they pulled off one-run victory.
SWCC lost the toss and sent into asked to bat, with Larry Morkel and Matthew Dickson starting well and sharing a 42-run partnership. After Dickson lost his wicket, a collapse ensued and SWCC were 43/3 when Paul Castignani and Jan Punt came together.
The pair rebuilt the innings and shared a 56-run partnership before Punt lost his wicket. SWCC lost their last wicket in the 50th over with the score on 187. Castignani (59) and Punt (29) were the best Somerset West batters.
The bowling pair of Wiehann Meyer and Dirk Uys started aggressively, and made early inroads to the United batting line up. The home side’s batsmen, however, consolidated and got stuck into the SWCC bowlers.
United were cruising at 164/4 in the 34th over, needing just 24 runs from the last 16 overs for victory. Spinner Gouws Koen tossed one up and the batsman’s eyes lit up and he was caught at long-off. This brought about a massive collapse.
Some clever bowling and great fielding on the boundary ensured SWCC secured the thrilling one-run win. Meyer (3/49) and Koen (4/35) were the pick of the bowlers.. The First Division B AMA20 semi-final between SWCC and HHCC took place at Radloff Park on Sunday (13 November). Overnight rain and a wet pitch caused a delay and reduced the match to five overs per side. This made for an enthralling match as both teams had the capacity to win it.
SWCC won the toss and chose to field. The HHCC batsman were positivel and scored quickly, reaching 55/2 in five overs. Mieftaah Oliver (28) and Waleed Smith (21) were the best batsmen.
To secure their place in the final, SWCC needed to score at 11 runs an over. Jan Rademan (25) and Meyer (18*) did not disappoint, taking the HHCC bowlers to task. After Rademan lost his wicket, Henrico Viljoen (12*) finished the game with a six over cow-corner to secure the victory with two balls to spare.
V SWCC will play Edgemead CC in the final at Newlands early next year.
