Romeril leads PCC to third win
Pinetown Cricket Club took on the Hillary Malvern team at the weekend and won.
A TOP notch all-round performance from Pinetown Cricket Club newcomer Grant Romeril powered the highway-based outfit to their third successive bonus point victory of the season on Sunday 20 October when they comfortably beat Hillary Malvern by 8 wickets at Lahee Park.
Despite persistent rainfall throughout the days leading up to the encounter Pinetown’s bowlers made light work of Hilary Malvern as they bowled out the visitors for just 104.
Four wickets into Pinetown’s new ball pairing of Andrew Dyer (1/17) and Kyle Gilham (3/32) saw Hillary Malvern up against the ropes and in desperate need of a partnership.
A few lusty blows in the middle order helped keep the visitors believing they were in with a chance but Barry Dyer (1/12 in his 10 overs) and Romeril (3/6 in 6 overs) ripped the heart out of the middle order and again saw the hosts well on top with the final wicket being claimed by skipper Tim Spence with the score on 104.
A brisk start from openers Romeril and Grant Olivier had Pinetown off to the perfect start as they flew beyond the 40-run mark before Olivier was knocked over for 13.
Despite Olivier’s departure, Romeril’s remarkable run of form with the bat – which has seen him amass scores of 45, 41 and 63 in the first three rounds of the 2013/14 season – continued as he bludgeoned his way to a commanding 49 before being run out, one run short of a half century.
With just two runs needed for victory and the threat of rain fast approaching Kaashief Abdulla (25 not out) and Kyle Stirling (1 not out) saw Pinetown comfortably across the line as the league title hopefuls claimed their third victory.
With the week’s inclement weather having played havoc with pitch preparations throughout Durban, all lower league games were called off days beforehand which meant no other Pinetown sides were in action this past weekend.
Pinetown’s 1st XI will make their first journey away from their Lahee Park pitch this weekend where they will tackle the Amanzimtoti Cricket Club (ACC) on Sunday 27 October in Toti.
