Quins beaten by DHS/Rhythm
Harlequins Cricket Club's first team was beaten by DHS/Rhythm with four runs needed.
MOST lower league cricket matches for Umbilo Harlequins Cricket Club were abandoned due to rainfall on Saturday afternoon and evening, however, the first team travelled to Virginia’s Danville Park to take on DHS/Rhythm in a scheduled Promotion League match.
Quins fielded first in initially cloudy conditions. Fast bowler Kevin Kettle delivered four overs in his opening spell at pace extracting good bounce, beating opposition batsmen at random with added lateral movement. Leading wicket taker in the 10-team league Yousef Godil initially delivered just three overs capturing one wicket for seven runs. Medium pacer Fayaz Safri bowled six consecutive overs at a plausible economy rate of four runs per over ending up with one wicket.
DHS Rhythm were in full stride at 109 runs for the loss of just two wickets after 21 overs. This was the juncture when Captain Eric Cavanagh was forced to bring back his front line striker into the attack in hope of capturing a wicket or two to reduce the rampant run rate orchestrated by two champion opposition batsmen who were very well set with plenty of runs to their credit.
In no time Kettle had one batsman expertly caught at the long off boundary by Dillon Bryan for 63 runs and another was trapped leg before wicket with a fast full pitched delivery. A third batsman was clean bowled for seven runs, ending a fine spell of six overs for 18 runs in six overs. DHS/Rhythm made 164 runs for the loss of six wickets in 30 overs.
After the changeover break and an initial slow accumulation of runs, Dylan Bryan executed three delightful boundary shots providing some impetus to Quins’ scoring rate, followed by a zesty innings by Daniel Smuts who struck seven boundaries inclusive of some well-timed drives adding 39 runs in quick time. However, it was the effervescent Fayaz Safri who executed an array of well-balanced strokes all over the ground and above, adding 66 runs while having no support from batsmen at the other end who succumbed with regularity, likened to toppling dominos.
When Safri departed Quins were level with their oppositions score at 134 runs at the same stage of their innings, but with seven wickets lost. However, two unfortunate run outs with Quins needing just four runs and with four deliveries remaining, sealed the victory for DHS/Rhythm by the narrowest of margins.
U11 players aspirant of attending coaching sessions and playing in the youth leagues can contact Clinton on 071 007 9745. Seniors practice is at Harlequins from 4.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact Ernest on 031 467 3270 for further club information.
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