UWC WPCA 1A Champions By Goosain Abrahams UWC became the new Western Province Cricket Association 1A league champions yesterday, and they did it in style, winning by 86 runs against a game Claremont side at the Varsity Oval.
UWC v Claremont Claremont frustrated the students when they had the cup in sight, as their lastwicket pair put on 105 runs. Shaun Potgieter (74 not out) and Richard Slatem (72) batted well to give the visitors a slender chance. But new-ball bowler Nathan Swartz (2/31) finished things off. Mediumpacer Esmund van Wyk had the best figures of 4/34. UWC opening batsman Mujahid Behardien put his side on the path to victory with a fine knock of 145 runs off only 147 balls (11 fours and six sixes). He was also involved in two vital partnerships which enabled his side to declare on a strong 234/5 in their second innings. He shared a secondwicket stand of 90 runs with Ashley Cupido (28), then put on 99 for the third wicket with Aviwe Mgijima (33). Alex Staub was Claremont’s most successful bowler, picking up 2/45, but he lacked support from his fellow bowlers. Set to score 290 for victory off 74 overs, Claremont’s top order failed dismally and the side could only reach 203. Potgieter, batting at No 9, hit eight fours and three sixes in his 74. Claremont and St Augustines are the two sides who will be relegated.
Victoria v Old Mutual At Chukker Road, Victoria finished the season on a high note with an emphatic eightwicket win over Old Mutual. The visitors, reinforced by their Cobras players Yaseen Vallie and Dane Piedt, fared worse than last week when they were dismissed for 128 and trailed by 96 runs on the first innings. In their second innings Old Mutual fared even worse, losing their first three wickets with only two runs on the board. They eventually scraped together 127, with only Rowan Jacobs (48) showing any grit against his former teammates. Vics’ opening bowler Dean Oosterwyk (4/17) and Monde Mahlombe (3/52) caused havoc against their highly-rated opponents. Vics easily knocked off the 32 required in 12 overs.
Pinelands v Rondebosch Rondebosch made a valiant attempt at league honours but had to be satisfied with the runners-up spot following their four-wicket win over Pinelands. Pinelands, trailing by 57 on the first innings, started their second innings disastrously losing their first two wickets for only five runs. However Ryan Canning (65) and Matthew Snyman (54) stabilised the innings and Pinelands eventually managed 190 all out with Zeke Snyman (4/49) and Alistair Gray (3/40) sharing the wickets for Rondebosch. Set to score 134 for victory, Bosch were in trouble on 67/5 but Lourens de Jager (53 not out), assisted by Dean van Blerq (27), put on 62 for the sixth wicket which saw them home comfortably.
St Augustines v WPCC At Elfindale an undefeated 101 by Clyde Fortuin enabled WPCC to force a draw against St Augustines. Trailing by 100 runs on the first innings, WPCC looked in dire straits on 233/9, but a 10thwicket partnership of 118 between Fortuin and Ryan van Niekerk (51) saw them recover to 351 all out. Saints’ opening bowlers Warren Ekstraal (5/115) and Dale Miller (4/59) caused the damage. Saints were set to score 252 for victory in 30 overs, and stumps were drawn after 14 overs with Saints on 44/1.
Bellville v United At the PP Smit Stadium in Bellville, visitors United recorded a good 84-run victory over the home team Bellville. United, who held a narrow 15-run first innings lead, scored 285/8 declared in their second innings. Opening batsman Munier Abbass top-scored with a well struck 95 (10 fours and a six). Four 30s from the middleorder beefed up the total. Bellville off-spinner Francois Botha (4/77) and paceman Beuran Hendricks bowled well. Bellville were set 301 runs to win, but they were bowled out for 216. Handre Theron topscored with 50 (six fours), while opener Ruben Healey (42) and William Hantam (45) also batted fluently. The wickets were shared by United’s opening bowler Igshaan Damon (3/38) and leftarm spinner Firaz Booley (3/74).
Scoreboard UWC v Claremont UWC first innings 194/6 UWC second innings Claremont second innings
Pinelands v Rondebosch Pinelands first innings 195 Pinelands second innings Rondebosch second innings Rondebosch won by 4 wickets.
Victoria v Old Mutual Old Mutual first innings 128 Old Mutual second innings Victoria second innings Victoria won by 8 wickets
St Augustines v WPCC WPCC first innings 165 WPCC second innings St Augustines second innings Result: Draw
Bellville v United United first innings 160 United second innings Bellville second innings |
