Mixed bag of results for Quins cricketers

SIX of the seven Umbilo Harlequins Cricket Club teams played out their respective league matches on a hot, sunny and humid final day of January.

The first team took on Simplex RHSCS in a 50 over stream one match at Siripat 1.

The wicket, which is characteristically over-utilised partially due to the winter league, was unevenly grassed with fair compaction, however it provided some uneven bounce of the cricket ball off its surface.

The outfield which is usually fast in character was slow due to long lawn. Quins elected to bat first, with opening batsman Adam Mather top scoring with 26 runs and number three batsman Sean Edward scoring a dozen runs. The entire middle order failed to consolidate and were dismissed primarily through poor stroke execution and incorrect shot selection. This caused Quins to capitulate prematurely in the 34th over for three quarters of 100 runs. This was a shoddy performance in a batting line-up with an overly long tail. As it was for Simplex RHSCS’ opening bowlers, Quins’ strike bowlers also failed to extract any benefit from the docile wicket surface, with the sole exception of slow left arm orthodox bowler Josh Henry, who delivered just three overs, the first two being wicket maidens, taking two wickets for three runs. Pace bowler Adam Mather tried hard but was expensive in conceding 28 runs in seven overs, capturing two wickets during his endeavour of seven and a half overs. Simplex RHSCS passed Quins’ total in the 24th over. Quins lost by six wickets.

Quins 2 took on a weak East Coast 2 team in a 20 over group match at Lt King Park in Fynnland.

East Coast 2 were dismissed for 95 runs with two deliveries remaining. T Jacobs claimed three wickets for three runs in two overs and K Spykerman dismissed two batsmen for seven runs in two overs. Quins responded with opening batsman Sheldon Spindler scoring 23 runs, W McLean was undefeated on 40 runs and K Spykerman was not out with 16 runs, taking Quins 2 to a total of 98 runs scored off 71 deliveries.

Quins third team took on neighbours Merebank in a 30 over division one game at Harlequins 1 on a good wicket with a moderately paced outfield. Quins amassed 171 runs in 30 overs for the loss of five wickets.

Opener Brett Williams ‘carried his bat’, scoring 77 runs. He was ably supported by Darryn Moffitt who managed 39 runs which comprised a six and six fours. Quins 3’s bowling line up was at least one bowler short, which allowed Merebank’s batsmen to match Quins throughout their innings in a humdinger of a game, one which gave all the rowdy spectators a match to remember, Merebank surpassed Quins’ total with merely two deliveries remaining, losing six wickets in a well–paced innings. In retrospect this was a great match played between two neighbouring clubs who have a history of good relations, great sportsmanship and a fine understanding of each other.

The fourth side batted first in their division three encounter against Lamontville 1 at Harlequins 2. The outfield was acceptably grassed, but the wicket was too green and poorly compacted. Casper Groenewald top scored in his typically correct style of batsmanship with 28 runs. Clinton Abrahams struck 22 runs and JP Dreyer managed 10, getting Quins to a below par tally of 102 runs in 24,1 overs. Lamontville 1 were neutralised by the well-directed, slow medium paced away swingers from Theo Van Heerden, who took out half the opposition batsmen for 11 runs in his spell of six overs. Quins’ fourth team won by 46 runs.

The U11 team scored 153 runs for nine wickets in 30 overs against ACC 2 U11s on the same field in the morning session. Deen Fredericks scored 34 runs, Jared Finlay retired with 50 runs, while Cole Brady managed 17.

ACC 2 managed 54 runs for nine wickets in 30 overs. Brennan David took three wickets for nine runs in six overs. Some great fielding was noticed by the Quins coach, especially that of Cole Brady who chased down every ball sent into the outfield with enthusiasm and vigour. The result of which reaped two run outs of ACC batsmen, through strong throw-ins from the outfield. Quins won by 99 runs.

Quins U13s played their 30 over south stream match against Lamontille U13s on Harlequins 1 on Sunday morning. Lamontville were dismissed for 67 runs in 25 overs. Jaan Fredericks captured four wickets for five runs in three overs and Sahil Singh took four wickets for six runs in three overs. Quins U13s won by eight wickets.

On a sad note for all is that Wayne Tonkin, affectionately known as Doggie by most and ‘the Dogg’, died last week. Wayne was instrumental in bringing the Saturday team into the Quins structures from Fynnland when the Durban and District Cricket Union upped its affiliation criteria. Wayne never failed to entertain anyone wanting to chat or socialise, had a wonderful, effervescent character, was well-known not only on the Bluff but also throughout Durban. He was a gifted and diverse sportsman who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

All teams with the exception of the third team have league matches this week-end.

Training continues as usual. Call Ernest on 031-467-3270 for more club information.