Vryheid Cricket Club – Close calls on the pitch

LAST weekend, two closely contested 20/twenty games were played at Cecil Emmett Park over a hot South African summer weekend.

On Saturday, Gladiators hosted Dumbe. Dumbe won the toss and elected to bat. A fantastic opening stand of 159 between Leon Solms (78 not out) and A Carstens (76) helped Dumbe post an impressive total of 180/1 in their allotted 20 overs. The only wicket taker for Gladiators was Joshua Stoltenkamp, ending with figures of 4-0-39-1.

In a valiant run chase the Gladiators fought all the way to the last ball but fell an agonising three runs short of victory ending with 178/6. Top scorers for Gladiators were Wikus Janse van Rensburg (40) and Wessel Vorster (36). Best bowlers for Dumbe were A Beneke (4-0-43-2) and C Beneke (4-0-33-1). Dumbe won by three runs.

On Sunday, Mr X played Wicket Wasps. Mr X batted first and after their 20 overs were 141/6 mainly thanks to Jaco Grobbelaar (41) and David Sandalls (32 not out). Andrew Brooks (4-0-22-2) and Andrè Ellis (4-0-33-2) were Wicket Wasps’ top bowlers.

In search of a win, Wicket Wasps were restricted to 131//9 due to good bowling from David Sandalls (4-1-13-2) and Gavin Bosman (4-1-22-2). Shane Pennington (24) and Stefan Jordaan (17) top scored with the bat for Wicket Wasps. Mr X won by 11 runs.

This weekend’s provisional 20/twenty fixtures are as follows: Saturday – Wicket Wasps play Dumbe in Dumbe. Sunday: Gladiators host Mr X at Cecil Emmett. Games start at 1:30pm.