South Peninsula Cricket Club can be forgiven for looking relaxed and in control against visitors, Ikamva Cricket Club, from Philippi, whom they beat by 67 runs, at the Parkwood sports complex, on Saturday, March 10.
In their first at home game after securing promotion and winning the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) Second Division against Northpine a week ago, SP won the toss and elected to bat first.
A good thing too, as a newly-laid wicket used for the first time this season, proved to be a difficult pitch to bat on. Despite getting off to a slow start in hot and slightly windy conditions, the home side’s batters did the business, scoring 187/10 in 38 overs with top scorer Walied Adams producing a well-played 64.
Ikamva also struggled to get going, losing wickets on a regular basis and were ultimately bowled out for 120 in 32 overs, despite a quick 40 by wicketkeeper Lindile Xolani during his stint with the bat in hand.
Moenier Amardien was SP’s pick of the bowling crop, taking three wickets in three overs for only 7 runs. Amardien was on a hattrick in his second over.
SP match and registration secretary, Cheslyn van Sensie was understandably delighted with the result, saying 2023/2024 will go down in the club’s history book as a season to remember.
“Undoubtedly, this season will be etched in our memories. From the outset, we recognised the potential within our players to excel,” he said.
“Our primary objective was to foster their concentration and camaraderie to reach our aspirations,” said Van Sensie.
“Securing promotion to the 1D Division was our aim, but clinching the league title exceeded expectations with three games to spare, a monumental feat for our club,” Van Sensie said.
“Looking ahead,” he said, “our focus shifts to sustaining competitiveness and crafting fresh objectives for the upcoming season.”
- At Elfindale, home side Saint Augustine were locked in a do-or-die battle against Kuils River in a First Division 1B match they simply had to win in order to secure promotion to the 1A division.
- The visitors won the toss and sent the hosts in to bat. Saints made 191/9 after 50 overs with Jared Crowe’s knock of 38, which included four 4s, Cebo Tshiki’s 33 (1×4) and Reon Witbooi’s 36 (2×4, 2×6).
In reply, Kuils River scored 185/9 after 50 overs. A defiant ninth wicket partnership of 65 between captain Lyndon Mert, 29 not out, and Joshua Fransman, also 29, was not enough to see them through.
On the bowling front, Saint’s Reon Witbooi claimed 2/39 in 10 overs and the evergreen Evan Jacobs 3/42 in 10 overs.
