Mid-season cricket action: SWCC lose momentum, HHCC clinch a win

Playing for SWCC, Wiehann Meyer makes a valiant effort to take a catch during his team’s encounter against Victoria Cricket Club on Saturday (9 December).Photos: Peter Bee

In a highly anticipated First Division B encounter played at the Somerset West Cricket Club (SWCC) on Saturday 9 December, log leaders Victoria Cricket Club emerged victorious by a convincing margin of 92 runs.

Victoria CC batted first and showcased a really good display of batting and skill as two players reached their half centuries.

An impressive spell of bowling by SWCC’s Varun Kalidindi (2-36) and Nigel Dirk (2-48) was overshadowed by the Victoria CC batsmen Tyrone Herbert (98) and Marco Wyngaardt (83), who played a crucial innings in setting a challenging target of 265 runs for SWCC.

In response, a stand of 69 by SWCC captain Larry Morkel and a fighting 32 by George Hlazo was all the resistance SWCC offered as they were bowled out for 173.

The victory for Victoria CC puts them in a strong position early in the season, while SWCC will be looking to regroup and bounce back in the upcoming matches.

In First Division A, Hottentots–Holland Cricket Club (HHCC) hosted Pinelands at the Naval Grounds in Gordon’s Bay.

HHCC batted first and were in a bit of tough spot at 70–4. Captain Waleed Smith and player/coach Abdul-Aziz Temoor steadied the ship beautifully for HHCC as they mixed their batting with quick singles and the odd boundary. Temoor fell for a quick-fire 37, while Smith went on to a well-played half century.

HHCC eventually ended up on 255-7 in their 50 overs. Smith (69), Temoor (37) and Achmat Smith (23) were the pick of the batsmen.

With ball in hand HHCC made a decent start grabbing three early wickets. A big partnership in the middle saw the game turn towards Pinelands favour.

However, some tight bowling from the HHCC spinners pulled it back. Brilliant death bowling from Achmat Smith saw HHCC over the line by just 8 runs, giving them a much needed win after their first in five games.

This coming weekend sees HHCC host Gugulethu CC at the Naval Grounds in their final league game before the mid-season break.

First Division D league contenders Helderberg Cricket Club (HCC) were awarded all points in their weekend fixture as opponents Langa CC did not pitch for the game. HCC have concluded their mid-season and will return to action in January.

In the Second Division, Strand Cricket Club will host Delft at Gustrouw this Saturday.