Three teams of Stellenbosch Cricket Club (SCC) found winning ways as they recorded victories in thrilling encounters at the weekend.
The first team was in action against Young Peoples CC in a 50-over Cricket Boland Promotional League match at Daljosafat in Paarl on Saturday (5 November). The home side won the toss and sent SCC in to bat on a tricky wicket.
The batters of SCC were, however, up to the task and navigated their side to 168/10 in 43,5 overs. Curt Oliver (40), Timmy Cornellisen (38) and Shane Williams (25) were the local team’s top scorers, laying a solid platform and setting up a defendable total.
In turn, the SCC bowlers came to the party and delivered an excellent performance, making the most of the conditions, completely dominating the encounter and taking their side to a convincing 119-run victory. They bowled out Young Peoples for a mere 49 runs in just 17,4 overs, with Curtley Klaasen (4/23), Laughton Barends (3/17) and Cornellisen (2/9) the chief destroyers with the leather.
On the same day, the Stellenbosch second team locked horns with their Young Peoples CC counterparts in a 50-over match at Idas Valley Sports Grounds. The visitors won the toss and elected to field, sending a determined SCC batting line-up to set a target.
Although the home side struggled to build decent partnerships, they managed to put up a valiant fight and post a target of 150/10 in 43 overs. The top Stellenbosch batters were Lorenzo Adonis (39), Marlon Hector (36) and Reagon Manuel (19).
With a reachable total in their sights, the Young Peoples batsmen set out to meticulously chip away at the tally. But the SCC bowlers were in fine form, while the fielding was equally on par.
The home side’s bowlers ripped through the Peoples batting order, closing off the game in just 21 overs and bowling them out for only 63 runs to notch up an 87-run victory. Marlon Pool (4/11), Kieron October (2/16) and Ilyaaz Fazer (2/6) were the best bowlers.
Meanwhile, the under-12 boys’ team of SCC were in action against Spes Bona CC in a 20-over day-and-night match in Idas Valley on Monday (7 November). The friendly match forms part of a series of practise matches for the young players.
Spes Bona won the toss and decided to field on a wicket that proved to be friendly to both batting and bowling at the weekend. The Stellenbosch batsmen were in devastating form, showing great determination as their team marched to 131/8 in 20 overs.
Riley Heneke (50* off 25 balls) led the SCC charge and played an excellent innings along with Liso Menziwa (10), who both top scored for their side. For Spes Bona, the bowling prowess of Deoron Wilson (5/12) was without a doubt the stand-out performance.
In their innings, the Spes Bona batsmen struggled to get going, with Stellenbosch bowling tight lines on their hunt for wickets. None of the batters managed to accumulate more than five runs as they scored 46/7 in 20 overs and SCC gleaned the 85-run victory.
Hayden Fredericks (2/4), Ethan Burt (1/4), Eric Norman (1/5) and Andrigo Frans (1/7) were the home side’s best bowlers.
