Quins 6 remain division five league title favourites
The fifth side take on a team known as INK 2 Kwa Mashu 1 in a 30 over division 3 game.
THERE was an absence of scheduled league cricket under the auspices of the Durban and District Cricket Union and the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union on Sunday, 16 November, due to the hosting of the Triple Ram Slam franchise tournament at Kingsmead, on Sunday, 16 November.
However Umbilo Harlequins' sixth team was engaged in a 30-over fifth division encounter against Chatsworth Cricket Club's third team at Penguin Street in Chatsworth on Saturday, 15 November.
Quins 6 surprisingly elected to field first, as usually the side batting first has the advantage of superior luminance over the team batting in the late afternoon's oblique sun's position and in addition has best use of inferior wicket surfaces, which often tend to disintegrate prematurely, leaving the side batting second to cope with inconsistent bounce. However Quins 6 rightly perceive themselves as superlatively equipped to chase down targets with their batting prowess.
Chatsworth 3 prematurely succumbed in the 19th over with Quins' three seamers, Jason Rouse taking two wickets for 19 runs in 12,1 overs, Warren capturing two wickets for 20 runs in five overs and Darryl Lavender managing to strike out two batsmen for 23 runs in his full quota of six overs.
In deteriorating luminance, but in resolute fashion, Quins 6 set about chasing down the diminutive target and needed just 85 deliveries to achieve 87 runs, losing two wickets in their successful endeavour. Dean Jordan's innings of 41 runs, including nine boundaries, can only be described as excellent. He was well supported by Ian Karg who likewise was not out 24 runs. Quins 6 easily won this encounter by eight wickets with 17, 5 overs remaining, to remain on top of Durban and District Cricket Union's division five league. Although division five has merely completed 40 % of its season's fixtures, Quins 6 can surely regard themselves as favourites to lift the title, which they have successfully done at the end of three out of the past five seasons.
On Saturday, 22 November, this same sixth side will take on Chatsworth Sporting 5 at Harlequins 2. On Sunday, 23 November, Quins first team play Verulam in a 50 over challenge league match at Harlequins 1. Quins' second side take on ACC 2 in a 40 over challenge reserve league at the cricket venue situated near the golf club and lagoon at Umbogintwini. The third eleven challenge Delta 3 in a 30-over division one match at Cato Manor 3. The U13 youth league team have completed their fixtures for the current season and the U11 group are midway through their school exam interlude, with two more weeks of abstinence from league cricket matches.
The club will nevertheless continue to offer its quality coaching sessions for all juniors at Harlequins on Thursdays at 5pm. Seniors will practise on Fridays at 4.30pm. Call Ernest on 031-467-3270 for more information.
