One win and one loss for Quins
Umbilo Harlequins took on two teams in Challenge League matches on Sunday.
UMBILO Harlequins Cricket Club’s first team played its final two 20 over matches of the current season on Sunday, 22 March.
Quins won the toss and elected to bowl first. All Quins seamers performed admirably conceding an average of about four-and-a-half runs per over with Sean Edward being the most successful capturing three wickets for 10 runs off three overs. Right arm wrist spinner Dieter Liebenberg claimed two wickets for 16 runs in three overs in an innings which was reduced from 20 overs to 15 overs a side due to time lost as a result of a late start.
Challenge league stream one table toppers UKZN compiled a moderate total of 84 runs on a fairly difficult surface due to the water content.
Quins’ hopes and aspirations of beating UKZN were enhanced when high level clouds gave way to bright sunshine improving the wicket surface somewhat during their innings. The decision to open the Quins innings with hard striker Clinton Abrahams was the correct one, despite him having missed a high percentage of deliveries, he was undefeated on 37 runs. Sean Edwards scored eleven and Kevin Kettle was undefeated with 10 runs, with a team total a dozen short of that of UKZN.
With that loss, Quins were effectively out of the competition where semi-final matches would be played out on 29 March. However there was still a 20 over afternoon match to be played against Umlazi Cricket Club. Dylan Labuschagne scored 66 runs and his partner Sean Edward scored 30 runs, striking three sixes. Jason Wagner scored 27 runs taking Quins to a competitive tally of 167 runs in their reduced allocation of 18 overs.
Through separate unexpected anomalies Quins were two men amiss in the field, but nevertheless were confident in pulling off an emphatic victory against the weaker opposition, which they did by 62 runs through accurate bowling on an unpredictable wicket. Medium paced seam bowler Wayne Rittmuller took four wickets for 12 runs in three overs, Sean Edward claimed three wickets for 18 runs in 4,4 overs and Dieter Liebenberg took two wickets for 15 runs in four overs of right arm slow bowling. Umlazi were dismissed for 105 runs in 17,4 overs.
The club will hold two back-to-back events this weekend with an annual awards evening being held at the Combined Fynnland Sports Club on Friday 27 March from 6pm and a six-a-side tournament at Harlequins Cricket Fields from 8am on Saturday 28 March.
Contact Ernest on 031 467 3270 for further club information.
