PCC claims comfortable win
The Pinetown Cricket Club took on and beat the Umbilo Harlequins at thye weekend.
THE Highway-based, outfit Pinetown Cricket Club took win number one of this year’s club cricket season on Sunday 6 October, when they overcame Challenge League rivals Umbilo Harlequins by six wickets at Lahee Park.
After a disappointing performance in their opening encounter against UKZN the week before, the men in green and white were eager to rectify things with a measurably improved effort second time around.
Having lost the toss and sent in to field first, Pinetown’s new ball pair of Andrew Dyer (2/27) and Kyle Gilham (1/21) soon handed the hosts the upper hand with three quick wickets.
A steady middle order partnership, led by Kevin Kettle (21), momentarily threatened to resurrect the visitors’ innings however two wickets a piece for all-rounder Grant Romeril (2/18), Barry Dyer (2/15), and skipper Tim Spence (2/20), together with a needless run out, left Quins reeling on 86/9.
A spirited effort from captain Dieter Liebenberg (16*) and opening bowler Sylvester Sauli (18) saw the pair compile a 33-run partnership for the tenth wicket before Sauli was caught with the score on 119.
Knowing exactly what was required and a vital bonus point victory very much top of mind, Pinetown’s batsmen strode to the crease seeking victory.
Sauli made light work of opener Kaashief Abdulla (LBW) and number three Kyle Stirling (caught at cover), sending both back to the pavilion in the first over of the innings.
Pinetown’s Grant Romeril paired up with fellow batting ace Bruce Kruger in a game-changing third wicket partnership to swing the game back in Pinetown’s favour.
Despite both Romeril (41) and Kruger (47) falling just short of deserved half centuries, leaving skipper Tim Spence (11*) and Tyrone Koen (10*) to steer their side home, Pinetown claimed a comfortable six wicket victory and an important bonus point.
Pinetown’s 2nd XI and both U11 teams games were unfortunately called off. The 3rds, who posted a mere 79 all out, lost to Delta by four wickets despite Brendan Pieterse’s (3/6) best efforts with the ball. The U13 game, with Pinetown on 120/3 after 18 overs and both Jason Baker and Ruan Potgieter on 41 not out, had to be abandoned due to the field being double booked.
Pinetown’s 1st XI will look to continue their winning ways when they tackle fellow title hopefuls Verulam at Lahee Park on Sunday 13 October.
