By CHESLEY DANIELS
Salem, Cuylerville and Southwell remain unbeaten in the Grahamstown Cricket Board (GCB) 1st League after the second round of the competition. Again, we have witnessed some exciting and competitive all-round cricket from both the 1st and 2nd leagues.
There were also some sterling individual batting and bowling performances, which again highlighted the players’ competitiveness. There were five centuries and seven five wicket-hauls recorded over the past weekend. Centuries were: James Mullins (Salem, 145), Carriston Haarhof (Willows, 127), Charlie Muir (Cuylerville, 105), Lorrimer Pittaway (Salem 2nd 155*) and James McClahlan (Sidbury 2nd, 107). 5 Wicket-hauls: Dean Van Heerden (Shrews, 8/24), Thandoxolo Shotana (Rainbows, 6/8), Marco Loutz (Swallows, 6/29), Kevin Zimmerman (Salem 2nd 5/29), Bryn Wakeford (Salem, 5/33), Kevin Palmer (Kenton, 5/45) and Aiden Wright (Rhodes, 5/73).
GCB 1ST LEAGUE
Sidbury vs Willows (Sidbury)
Willows travelled to Sidbury and took the home side on at the N2 ground. The Makhanda side batted first and scored a decent 230 (41.2) after a slow start. Once again, the newcomer for Willows Carriston Haarhof was in sublime form with the bat, who scored his maiden century for the club. Haarhof scored a brilliant 127 (17 fours, 2 sixes) and a fine 53 against Cuylerville the previous week. Tando Ngcete (21) and Duane Brown (20) contributed with the bat. Sidbury bowlers applied early pressure and bowled exceptionally well. Ronnie Roth starred with the ball and claimed 3/34 (10). He was well supported by Simon Scheepers 2/38 (7.2) and Damian Weeks 2/69 (10).
Captain Sean Biggs 63 (10 fours) got his side off to a good start and batted well upfront. Brian Uphman came in and produced a match-winning unbeaten 76* (4 fours, 6 sixes) as Sidbury reached 232/5 (38). Spinner Marquin Loutz 3/32 (10) and Duane Brown 2/46 (10) were the wicket-takers for Willows. Sidbury won by five wickets.
Makana Sona vs Salem (Rhodes Prospect Field)
Salem came down to Makhanda and batted first on a difficult batting strip, scoring 216 all out. James Mullins came to his side’s rescue and produced a match-winning flamboyant 145. He received good support from captain Buster Brotherton with a fine cameo of 32. Luvalo Lloyd took 3/41 (8), Mtunzi Antoni 3/16 (6.2), Abongile Hashe 2/51 (8) and Aya 2/39 (10) for the home side.
Salem bowlers came out firing and their quest to defend their target, with their new recruit seamer Bryn Wakeford who made full use of the new ball with excellent bowling figures of 5/33 (5). Ivan Marais took 2/3 (2). Inform left-hand batsman of Makana Lukhanyo Sam was again the top scorer for his side with a fine 40, as Makana crumbled for a mere 83 all out. Salem won by 133 runs + bonus point.
Cuylerville vs Rhodes (Shaw Park – Saturday)
Cuyerville 312 (47)
– Charlie Muir 105, Brandon Handley 76, Richard Muir 46
• Aiden Wright 5/73 (10), Sphi 3/51 (7)
Rhodes 235 (43.3)
– Aiden Wright 93 (11 fours), Denham 43, Dave 37 (6 fours), Bradley Van Heerden 24\
• Francois Klopper 2/19 (10), James 2/84 (10), Brandon Handley 3/20(2.3)
Cuylerville won by 77 runs.
Rhodes vs Southwell (Rhodes Prospect – Sunday)
Southwell 152 (45)
– Anslem Castelyn 27, Kyle Van Niekerk 22, Richard Moss 17
• Nick 3/24 (10), Bradley Van Heerden 2/27 (10), Alistair De Blocq 1/26 (6), Wright 2/15 (5)
Rhodes 131 (33.2)
– Wright 57*, Denham 23
• Murray Hobson 4/38 (7), Guy Bladen 3/27 (9)
Southwell won by 21 runs + bonus point
GCB 2nd LEAGUE
Swallows vs Sidbury (Rhodes Great Field)
Sidbury 206 (35.3)
– James McClahlan 107, Juandre Nel 53
• Marco Loutz 6/29 (7.3), Lance September 3/42 (6)
Swallows 70 (18.4)
– Monray Evans 23*, Peter Frans 10
• J Nel 4/25 (9), Cullen Sholto-Douglas 3/8 (3)
Sidbury won by 136 runs + bonus point
Salem vs Early Birds (Salem)
Salem 438/8 (50)
– Lorrimer Pittaway 155*, Simon Amm 59, Tinus Scheepers 52
• Thandi 2/63, Tobele 1/50
Early Birds 76 (17.3)
– Njabayi 26
• Kevin Zimmerman 5/29 (5), Richard Davies 2/11 (3), Royden Horne 2/10 (3)
Salem won by 362 runs + bonus point
Southwell vs Tiger Titans (Southwell)
Titans 171
– Sam 46
• Hannes Visser 4/46
Southwell 172/3 (25)
– Richard Daly 65*, Richard Moss 48*
• Zakes Smanga 2/29 (5.5)
Southwell won by seven wickets + bonus point
Manleys Flats vs Port Alfred
Manleys 269/6
– Wade Mayes 80, Keagan Fisher 52, Chris Lock 52, Dave Duncan 35
• Andrew Pittaway 2/67 (10), Lois Oosthuizen 2/39 (10)
Port Alfred 270/9 (49.4)
– Dian Nel 82, Dewald Nel 37, Rudi Botha 28*, Warren Bowdler 27
• Craig Fourie 3/42, Mohammed Badsha 3/64
Port Alfred won by one wicket
Station Hill vs Shrews (Port Alfred – Saturday)
Shrews 72
– Dean Van Heerden 31
• Alvin Marney 4/7 (3), Krakie Arnoldus 3/2 (2.2), Franklin Jacobs 2/36 (6)
Station Hill 75/1 (9)
– Franklin Jacobs 56*, Kieran Hilpert 11*
• Dean Van Heerden 1/20 (3.4)
Station Hill won by nine wickets
Cuylerville vs Kenton
Cuylerville 277
– Graeme Spring 98, Greg Pike 69, Simon Botha 26
• Palmer 5/45
Kenton 185
– Greg Timm 52
• Springs 3/46 (9), Klopper 3/50 (8)
Cuylerville won by 92 runs + bonus point
Shrews vs Rainbows (Rhodes Great Field – Sunday)
Shrews 79 (20.1)
– Monty Du Toit 18
• Thandoxolo Shotana 6/8 (8), Brave Marais 3/19 (8)
Rainbows 47 (8.3)
– V Phupha 12
• Dean Van Heerden 8/24 (4.3), Z Papu 1/13 (2)
Shrews won by 32 runs + bonus point.
