Toti 2nd team bowlers snatch victory from Quins

PLAYING away, Amanzimtoti Cricket Club’s second team managed an emphatic win over Harlequins’ second team over the weekend, on a pitch that was extremely difficult to bat on.

With a weakened batting side, having lost two top order batsman to the first team, the seconds went into the match knowing the batting was going to be difficult.

Openers, Wayne Oliver, following up on last week’s knock of 76, and Kershlan Moodley were hard done by when both lost their wickets in quick succession within the first three overs of the match for five runs to some good bowling.

The two paced nature of the pitch revealed itself when number three Janco Hennop was bowled by a low bouncing ball, just as he and Jarryd Lombard had steadied the ship with a partnership just short of 30 runs.

With the score at 36 runs for three, Spinner and all-rounder Reece Mason – following a brilliant performance last week where he made 35 alongside Wayne to see Toti to a comfortable victory – came in next at number five but his stay at the crease was short-lived when he played at a loose ball, edging it through to the keeper to leave himself that long walk back to the change rooms, having not scored anything.

Wickets continued to fall when Toti’s young wicketkeeper Jarryd Lombard fell to an LBW decision. The ball had stayed low once again and trapped him in front of his departing on just 13 runs. A late call-up to the team, Karl Botha walked to the middle and as the team has come to expect, his aggressive batting style got him off the mark quickly. He racked up a quick-fire 10 before being bowled.

The middle order, consisting of Karl Botha, Brad Prismall and Ryan Roberts, all big hitters, fell to some straight bowling albeit batting conditions were hard for a combined score of 17 runs. Number nine Sheldon Gobey and skipper Trevor Campbell made a last effort stand of 60 before Sheldon was caught at mid-on for a total of 28 runs.

With specialist number 11 Bright Mkhize only managing to add one run to the score before going out to a good catch by Harlequins, this left the captain not out on 35.

Toti ended the innings on a total of 137 to defend.

Opening the bowling, Bright and Trevor managed to get through eight overs, giving away only 19 runs with one wicket in the second over by Trevor knocking over the middle stump of Harlequins’ opening batman.

With the introduction of left arm seamer Sheldon Gobey (5.3 overs/10 runs/three wickets) and right arm pace bowler Janco Hennop(five overs/10 runs/four wickets), the game was snatched out from under Harlequins’ feet with wickets falling at regular intervals.

Harlequins number 10 and 11 stuck around for a few overs before Brad Prismall was able to dislodge the stumps with good, straight bowling leaving Harlequins stranded on a dismal 40 runs. Tight bowling by all the bowlers has to be commended with a total of 10 maidens bowled out of just 23. With three wins in a row, Toti seconds are now looking to keep building on that success.

“We have a very good vibe within the team and this lends itself to positive cricket. When guys are having fun it doesn’t matter if you win or lose but it does make winning a whole lot easier” remarks the skipper “We are always looking for people who are wanting to get involved. Practises are held on Tuesday and Fridays at Lords and Legends from 4.30pm until it gets dark, so show up and get involved.