By CHESLEY DANIELS
Cuylerville’s captain and in-form batsman Brandon Handley recorded yet another century to make sure his team handed Salem 1st their first loss of the season. Salem 1st are now three points ahead of Southwell on the log standings, while Station Hill remains firmly on top with 43 points after eight rounds, even after losing to Southwell. Port Alfred 2nds are in second place on the log standings with 33 points with a game in hand. Mueed Fritz (Swallows) and Mike Mattison (Salem 2nds) recorded the only two five-wicket hauls over the past weekend.
GCB 1ST LEAGUE
Southwell vs Willows
Willows travelled to Southwell on Sunday and were beaten by five wickets. Willows scored 174 all out in 38.1 overs after a fantastic start by openers Melville Daniels (19) and Eldrich George (30), who put up 60 runs for the first wicket. Then wickets tumbled as the Willows batsmen lost wickets at regular intervals due to bad shot selection. Marquin Loutz was the top scorer with a fine 50 runs and shared a 60 run partnership down the order with veteran Chesley Daniels (19). Spinner Adrian Reed was the pick of the bowlers for Southwell with 4/34 (8) while receiving good support from experienced James Cameron 3/28 (6) and Guy Bladen 2/34 (10).
Southwell had a fantastic start with openers James Stirk and Adrian Reed playing positively from the onset. Stirk was unbeaten on 75*, and Reed scored a fine 55. Spinner Marquin Loutz 2/30 (5.1) and seamer Roswill Mager 2/37 (7) were the pick of the bowlers for Willows. Southwell made 175/4 (25.1), handing them a five-wicket bonus-point win.
Sidbury vs Makana Sona
Makana Sona recorded a fine win over Sidbury in their away fixture on Saturday at Sidbury. Sidbury made 183 (31) and Makana Sona 187/4 (20.4). Brian Upman 45 and Jason Wesson 40 contributed with the bat for the Makhanda side. Seamer Lusanda Qinela was in fine form with the ball and clinched 4/45 (10), while Lakhanya Sam 2/20 (7), Abongile Hashe 2/29 (3), and Ludumo Sauli 1/34 (6) were also amongst the wicket-takers.
Makana batsmen waste no time in chasing down the target set by the home side. Mnyaka Bavu was in devastating form with the bat and ended unbeaten on a superb 70*. Veteran Lunga Stamper 34 and Sauli 21* contributed valuable knocks down the order. Upman took 2/56 (5).
Makana won by six wickets and a bonus point.
Cuylerville vs Salem
Cuylerville took revenge and handed log leaders Salem their first defeat on Saturday, winning by 27 runs. Cuylerville batted first and put up a mammoth 314 (49.2). Once again, captain Brandon Handley is the leading run-scorer in the 1st League, with yet another century (157). He has now scored 504 runs so far. Greg Clayton 30, Beydeveld 31* and Jamie Renton 30 all batted well for Cuylerville. Ivan Marais bowled well for his 3/49 while spinner and captain Buster Brotherton took 2/59 and Justin Dollery 2/47.
Salem came close in chasing down the huge target set to them but eventually fell 27 runs short with their score on 287 (49). Nick Wilmot top-scored with a brilliant 91 while Dollery (73), Bom 36 and Jonty Van der Meulen 24 contributed with the bat. Renton starred with the ball for Cuylerville with figures of 4/73, while Clayton 2/33, Handley 1/31 and Beydeveld 1/56 were also amongst the wickets.
GCB 2ND LEAGUE – SUMMARISED SCORES
Port Alfred vs Swallows
Port Alfred 79
* Mueed Fritz 5/13 (6), Madudu Maseti 3/3 (2), Shaudre Knock 1/19 (7)
Swallows 80/7
– Mornay Kohl 22, Fritz 16
Swallows won by three wickets and a bonus point.
Southwell vs Station Hill
Southwell 245 (49.1)
– Tiaan Scheepers 52, Chris Fredericks 69, Guy Bladen 22*
* Kurt Nelson 3/25 (10), Alvin Marney 2/49 (10), Franklin Jacobs 2/36 (8.1)
Station Hill 218 (36.4)
– Franklin Jacobs 79, Lyndon Coltman 32, Shaquil Thomas 28*
* John Daly 4/40 (8) including a hat trick, Bladen 3/39 (7.4)
Southwell won by 27 runs.
Sidbury vs Rainbows
Rainbows 124
– Mangi 37, Mlonyeni 19
* Zander 3/26 (5), Francois Nel 2/21 (6), Jeremy McClahlan 2/4 (2)
Sidbury 129/5
– Diviers 55*, Zander 19, McClahlan 18
* Shotana 2/47 (7)
Sidbury won by five wickets + a bonus point.
Salem vs Cuylerville
Cuylerville 158
– Greg Pike 38
* Mike Mattison 5/52, Ross Pittaway 4/34
Salem 161/2 (23.2)
– Rob Van der Merwe 56*, Simon Amm 50*
* Simon Botha 1/22
Salem won by eight wickets + a bonus point.
