Hattrick of victories for Pinetown
The Pinetown Cricket Club recorded a clean sweep of victories with the 1st XI, 2nd XI and 3rd XI all registering wins over their opposition.
HAVING been frustrated by weather in the recent past, Pinetown Cricket Club’s teams were eager to get in somegamme time this past weekend and Sundays action saw the club record a clean sweep of victories with the 1st XI, 2nd XI and 3rd XI’, all registering wins over their opposition.
The 1st XI took on a tricky Delta outfit at Lahee Park needing to win the clash to stay in touch with the top two teams in the league and despite getting into a world of trouble early in their chase a resilient 77 not out from the returning Ben Compton, who carried his bat through the entire innings, got the hosts across the line.
Having lost the toss the upper Highway men were given the task of bowling first on a good wicket and they would have been happy with their start with the ball as they pinned Delta back with a few early strikes leaving them 57/3.
Delta then managed to get a partnership together which threatened to take the game away from Pinetown, however, when one part of the blooming partnership retired hurt, the hosts again pinned back the side from Tills Crescent.
The final ten overs was going to be crucial for both sides as Delta eyed a total of over 220, however, off spinner Nick Tatham picked up 6/36 in seven overs at the death of the innings to curtail the visitors pursuit of over 220 and saw them settle for 207/9 in fifty overs.
The chase started poorly for the hosts as they slumped to 54/5 inside fifteen overs. Significant contributions from captain Kyle Buckthorp (37) and a brilliant unbeaten 43 from Andrew Dyer saw the home side home by four wickets.
Pinetown 2nd XI took on UKZN 2nds in a must-win game for the highway side who, after several rained out fixtures in the first half of the season, find themselves at the bottom end of the Premier Reserve table.
Captain Matt Helm lost the toss and PCC were asked to bat first on a tricky wicket.
After losing their opener Cayle Marillier in the 5th over, Gareth Wessellman and Brandon Heim set about negotiating the opening bowlers and managed to scrounge out a 30 run partnership before Heim fell just before drinks.
PCC’s resuscitation came in the form of a patient 30 from Gareth Wessellman and along with some lusty blows from captain Helm, debutant Ryan Smith and Rueben Naicker towards the end Pinetown put up a competitive 150.
The bowlers needed to apply themselves and catches needed to be taken – the Pinetown team did neither, and it took 3 dropped catches and several hacks from the opening batters before the bowlers and fielders found their rhythm and four wickets fell to Helm and Naicker in the opening 11 overs.
The fielders then took some sublime catches, coupled with good lines and length from the change bowlers enabled the Pinetown team to apply some much needed pressure. Wickets fell at regular intervals and the fielders ensured that the runs and boundaries dried up completely.
It did get tight at the end, but some well controlled bowling from the men in green ensured that the last wicket fell with UKZN still 19 runs short.
The 1st XI travel to Asherville to take on a strong Clares outfit while the 2nd XI take on Crusaders at Lahee Park and the team will be looking to secure a rare double over the Durban North team after beating them at home in their last outing.
Summary of results:
1st XI v Delta
Delta 207/9 (N Tatham 6/37)
PCC 208/6 (B Compton 77* A.Dyer 43* K Buckthorp 37)
PCC won by 4 wickets
2nd XI v UKZN
PCC 150 all out (G Wessellman 30)
UKZN 131 all out (R Naicker 3/18 S Crafford 3/20)
PCC won by 19 runs
