Northerns off to a flyer

Skipper Kurt Francis and his team clobbered a visiting Duduza outfit, containing a number of Titans and Easterns players, in an opening match of the 2013/14 season that was so one-sided it was all over by lunch, with the bonus-point victory coming by a massive 10 wickets.

The Benoni team won the league for the first time ever last season, following years of domination by their arch rivals and neighbours Kempton Park, and went on to represent the province with distinction at the National Club Championships, in Pretoria.

At Northern Areas, on Sunday, Francis had no hesitation in inviting Duduza to bat first, in baking conditions, on an up-and-down pitch.

The visitors lost wickets at regular intervals, under constant pressure from the well-balanced Benoni attack, to be skittled for just 107 runs, with more than half of their allotted 50 overs remaining.

Tall, fast bowler Lance Humphrey, returning from a long-term back injury, was the chief destroyer as he claimed three wickets for just 12 runs in five overs, while GC Pretorius snaffled three for 26 in six overs, and newcomer Ernest Kemm two for six in 1.3, with his spin.

Kemm, who joined Northerns from Tukkies this season, then also proved his worth with the bat, plundering an undefeated 54 as he and fellow left-handed opener JP Kok raced to the victory target, inside 21 overs, for the bonus-point win that put the Benoni boys at the top of the log from the starting gun.

“It was a brilliant all-round team effort and, if we want to successfully defend our title, we have to be ruthless and grab the bonus points when they’re on offer, because they could make a big difference at the end of the season,” said Francis.

Across the road, on the same day, BNCC’s second XI got their Promotion League campaign off to a brilliant start, by hammering their Daveyton counterparts by 90 runs.

Northerns captain Ryan Pfeifer opted to bat first and, despite being bowled out after 40 overs, the home side’s total of 197 was always going to be a challenging one on a slow track.

The home side got to that score thanks largely to opener Vaughn Humphrey, Lance’s younger brother, who got his team off to a flyer with 36 off 27 balls, Pfeifer (40 off 57 deliveries) and leftie Stefan Jordaan (33 at a run a ball).

The latter pair also shared a 70-run partnership off 83 balls for the third wicket.

The Benoni bowlers then went to work and shot out Daveyton for a meagre 106 in the 24th over, to also secure the bonus point.

Off-spinner Stiaan Jordaan – Stefan’s twin – was the star of the bowling show, with four wickets for 20 runs in 10 overs, including four maidens, while Thirushen Naicker grabbed three for 34 in seven overs.

This Sunday, October 13, BNCC’s Premier XI travel to Springs Old Boys (SOB), while the Promotion side hosts SOB, with both matches starting at 9.30am.