Quins looks back on successful cricket season

TWO cricket league matches which were initially scheduled to be played on 6 October 2013, were postponed and rescheduled to be played at Harlequins cricket fields on 30 March.

However the club received late notification from DHS/Rhythm that their division one team were to scratch their match.

The division three game versus Topham 3 nevertheless went ahead as re-scheduled on a glorious autumn afternoon with fair weather, a reasonably manicured outfield and a marginally acceptable eastern-most wicket, albeit inherent with some degree of inconsistent bounce and some absence of carry, uncharacteristically Harlequins-like. It is seldom favourable to bat last in afternoon matches during the mid-autumn season, especially with thunderstorms lurking over the western horizon where the sun sets relatively early for cricket players, due to the factor of early waning of light. But this is what Quins 5 did in their last league match of the season.

Medium-paced seam bowlers Huey Naicker and Jason Rouse delivered with fair skill in the early juncture of this match, Huey was economical with four overs one wicket for just five runs were replaced by seamer Andre Potgieter and right arm wrist spinner Darren Moffitt who utilised the ‘teeth’ of the fresh southerly wind to exploit some above the eye-line flight strategy and appropriate dip and believe it or not, some lateral movement off the deck, however failing to bag a wicket against batsmen who were quite reluctant to attack his easy paced bowling, Andre Potgieter who bowled his seamers with uncomplicated symmetrical rhythm, devoid of antics with the southerly wind, needs to be lauded for such a fine spell of four overs three wickets for eight runs. Jean Marc Roets the quickest of Quins 5 bowlers, through sheer effort and fair rhythm was unfortunate to have taken just two wickets for 18 runs in four overs. But it was ‘Quins very own ‘chinaman’ who bowled his left arm wrist spinners into the wind, who claimed two of the lower middle order of the opposition for 13 runs in 4 overs, who kept Topham 3 to a noncompetitive low tally of 82 runs in 23, 5 overs, 6, 1 overs mortally short of their full 30 over allocation.

Quins found the going with the bat a little tougher than expected, losing two wickets near the commencement of their 30 over innings.

Sheldon Baxter who stood out in blue-vested garb in last edition’s photograph, bashed a monstrosity of a six into the wind over long-on boundary, ending up on 19 runs. Wicket keeper and opening batsman Ryan Baronet displayed a fair degree of circumspect and responsibility, was undefeated with 22 runs. Quins renown wrist spinner could not be dislodged by the opposition bowling attack, scored 35 runs, taking the home team through to 85 runs for the loss of just two wickets in 14 of their 30 overs. Quins 5 won by eight wickets losing two matches during their league campaign, which was unfortunately possibly just one loss too many, to take the division five title for the 2013/2014 cricket season.

The first team had a relatively unsuccessful league season, ending up eighth in the 10 team stream challenge league. One positive in a season full of adversity is the fact that they came good in the final month, winning four of their five matches to do well in the 20 over competition, losing out merely by net run rate. The second team, which has performed commendably over the seasons, had a wretched summer, primarily through player unavailability.

The third, fourth, fifth, sixth and U11s performed admirably, some of the aforementioned teams possibly losing out on their respective league titles by a mere point or two. However with a comprehensive audit, Quins might be fortuitous enough to actually take one of these leagues. The club had an overall successful season, and a large portion of this success can be attributed to committed team management and sound club housekeeping.

The club’s annual awards event was well attended especially by the third, sixth and U11 members. These teams seemed to hold a lengthy, impromptu gathering, wherein it was argued which the better team might be and all seemed to have high aspirations of competing in an informal match to determine which indeed would be the better skilled team. All this being merely healthy constructive, speculative competition. Award winners will be published shortly, alongside definitive final league standings for the respective Umbilo Harlequins cricket teams.

There is a winter league for really competitive players during April and May, out of the area and two more informal one-day competitions during the next two Sundays. However the club is not directly aligned with any of these.

Gratitude is hereby expressed to squad managers for their intricate organisational exploits, team captains for on field endeavours, players and those family members and supporters who attended league matches and informal games and assistant coaches turned out each week to assist Shane at the dedicated U11 coaching sessions.

The club seeks a willing person, especially a parent who would manage an U13 team during the upcoming 2014/2015 season. No cricket skills are required, as the club could provide a coach for this age group.

The next event is the annual general meeting, which will likely be held during May.

This concludes the 2013/2014 season. Call Ernest on 031-467-3270 for any further club information.