Northerns march on to the semis

Expecting a tough encounter versus CBC Old Boys at a ground (CBC College) where they haven’t played to their full potential in recent times, the Northerns players were clinical in the way in which they handled their business on Sunday, March 13.

Since a third defeat of the season in the first half of the 2015/2016 season, at home to United Cricket Club on November 22, last year, the side has rallied with an unbeaten run of 10 straight victories.

They wrapped up a perfect second half with a seven-wicket win in Boksburg, on Sunday.

Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, skipper Kurt Francis’s lead bowlers all came to the party and restricted their hosts to a score of just 105 all out in 42.1 overs.

Lee Cothill was miserly again, with statistics of 3/12 in eight overs (three maidens), while a rejuvenated Lance Humphrey caused trouble for the CBC batsmen with figures of 2/23 in nine overs.

Stefano di Bartolomeo was equally impressive, with figures of 2/20 in six overs, as was spinner Stiaan Jordaan, who added two more sticks to a remarkable season tally of wickets.

Jordaan bagged figures of 2/10 in seven overs.

The fact that Ruan Liebisch was the top-scorer with 14 runs speaks volumes for the bowling performance of BNCC.

In the Northerns batting innings Mark Robey was promoted to open with Easterns semi-professional Ernest Kemm.

The pair did well up front to lay the foundation of the chase, with Robey wasting little time in blasting 31 runs in just 20 deliveries.

Despite the loss of Robey, Rhenier Jordaan and Shane Nel, Kemm (34 not out) and Matthew Wright (13 not out) got the Benoni outfit over the finish line in 25 overs, to claim the bonus point win.

“Sunday was the perfect end to the league matches after a tough first half for us,” said Francis.

“We were clinical on the day.

“The bowlers never let up the entire innings, so the pressure was never released, then Ernie and Mark got us off to the perfect start with the bat.

“Small targets are always tricky to chase, but the good start made it a comfortable one.

“We are now looking forward to the semis and ask the public to bring huge support and back the Benoni boys.”

Keep an eye on the City Times or www.benonicitytimes.co.za for official confirmation of BNCC’s semi-final opponent, time and the venue of the match.

* At the time of going to press confirmation of final league positions was still to be confirmed by the Eastern Cricket Union.

• Also, on Sunday, Actonville Spurs Cricket Club’s Premier XI ended their campaign with a whimper, following a defeat by United Cricket Club, in Brakpan.

Batting first, skipper Kyle Degambur’s side faltered with the willow and could muster a score of only 98 all out in 25.4 overs.

Clayton August, with 33 runs, was the top-scorer in an innings where United’s Eden Links claimed figures of 5/10 in 4.4 overs with his spin.

United chased down the score in 20.4 overs, despite the loss of five wickets.