BNCC win another nervy encounter
After a fierce fight back to claim a big win over arch-rivals Kempton Park, last Sunday, Benoni Northerns Cricket Club’s (BNCC) Premier XI ensured that the 2015/2016 version of the Eastern Premier League is one of the most hotly contested in recent years.
All of the Top Four teams are in with a chance of claiming the title, particularly after BNCC claimed a tense two-wicket win away to Brakpan’s United Cricket Club, on Sunday, February 28.
Winning the toss in overcast conditions, the Benoni outfit opted to bowl first, with the hope of there being good early morning swing on offer for their in-form opening bowler, Lee Cothill.
It proved to be the opposite for Cothill and company, as that movement only reared its head later as the innings progressed.
United’s opening pair of Jose van der Berg (25) and Aidan Justus (41) put up a solid front with the willow, but scoring was slow in tricky conditions.
Excellent economical spin bowling from BNCC’s Regardt Verster (3/21 in 10 overs), along with a fine display with the leather from Mark Robey (3/28 in nine overs), contributed to the team getting their opponents all out for 177 in 49 overs.
Stefano di Bartolomeo (1/28 in five overs), Stiaan Jordaan (1/53 in 10 overs), Cothill (1/31 in 10 overs) and a Premier League returning Matthew “Traddle” Wright (1/4 in one over), did the rest.
The chase in the second innings was not going to be an easy one, as United came out hard in the field.
Their opening bowler Kevin Hinton (3/41 in 10 overs) caused the most trouble for BNCC’s batsmen while the spin of Justin Gamble (1/26 in 10 overs) and Branden Grutter (1/36 in 10 overs) also proved tricky to negate.
Dylan Rayner was also economical with statistics of 1/28 in ten overs.
Robey (52) and Verster (43) formed, what would prove to be a match-winning fourth-wicket partnership, although both will feel like they could have kicked on from the good platform they had set.
Nervy moments followed their dismissals and finger nails were chewed a bit shorter as United made inroads into the Benoni batting order when wickets fell regularly.
The Northerns tail dug deep and managed to pull the defending champions over the line in a tense finale to the match.
BNCC skipper Kurt Francis commented: “We are extremely happy with the performance once again.
“We were not as clinical with the ball and in the field, but to pull off two intense wins in as many weeks does take its toll.
“The more experienced players are stepping up and that is what can take us all the way.
“The boys are gelling well together and the passion is definitely there.”
CLICK HERE for a GALLERY of images taken during the first innings.
The team will play Tembisa at Northerns on Sunday, March 6, in what is scheduled as Tembisa’s “home” fixture.
- In another good result on Saturday, February 27, Suleiman Ebrahim’s Saturday First League side romped to a seven-wicket win over Springs Old Boys, at Northern Areas.
Joshua Thomas (3/16 in 5.3 overs) was the chief destroyer as they bowled out their opponents for 93 in the 31st over.
The BNCC skipper (36 not out) and Twayne Stewart (29 not out) took the team home in the 25th over.
