Commanding display from BNCC at home
The win is their second in succession in 2018.
With two wins out of two in 2018, Benoni Northerns Cricket Club’s (BNCC’s) Premier XI is gaining good momentum in the Eastern Premier League.
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The team welcomed Brakpan-based United Cricket Club to Northern Areas on January 21 and put on a commanding performance to secure an eight-wicket bonus point win.
BNCC skipper Kurt Francis lost the toss and was asked to field first, a move that would prove to be a good one for the Benoni bowlers.
It did not seem that way at first as the United opening batsmen stood their ground for 7.5 overs, with the score climbing to 32/0 until seamer Stefan Jordaan took the first wicket.
First-change bowler Stefano di Bartolomeo then claimed the wicket of the other United opener with his second delivery of the match and another scalp four balls later to start a sequence of wickets falling.
Di Bartolomeo bowled a quick and accurate spell that had the opposition willow-wielders in worlds of trouble.
His figures of 4/12 in seven overs bears testament to his superb spell with the ball, and he was left feeling unlucky not to have claimed a five-wicket haul for the day.
Jordaan bagged another wicket (2/23 in eight overs) to support di Bartolomeo well from the other end.
Debutant Phumelelo Masetlane (1/12 in three overs) then took his first wicket with his medium pace, much to the jubilation of his BNCC teammates, before spinners Ernest Kemm (1/11 in five overs) and Tian van der Walt (1/8 in 1.5 overs) stepped in to wrap up the United innings for 101 runs in 32.5 overs.
Opening with the bat, BNCC’s Vaughn Humphrey, who turned out for United last season, made sure the game was done within 22 overs.
Despite the loss of two top-order wickets, Humphrey marched confidently to 55 runs from 61 balls (seven fours and a six) to haul in the United target and ensure the win.
BNCC will look for another home win when a tricky Bedfordview outfit visits in the league on January 28.
The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 10am.
Meanwhile, across the road on the B-field, BNCC’s Promotion League XI ensured qualification for the Premier Reserve League (to be played between the bottom four Premier League and top four Promotion League teams) with a six-wicket win over Midrand.
The visitors, batting first, did well to post a target of 199 runs for BNCC.
Club veteran Mark Robey, however, led the Northerns chase and top-scored with 103 not out to guide the team home.
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