Although the phrase “it’s still early days” is something of a cliché in sport, Benoni Northerns Cricket Club’s (BNCC) Premier XI showed on opening day, versus Tembisa, that they definitely have the strength in depth, with both bat and ball, to be firm favourites to win the league and advance to next year’s National Club Championships in Pretoria, even after just one league match.
On a flat Willowmoore Park “A” pitch, Tembisa were put in to bat by BNCC skipper Kurt Francis, who won the coin toss.
BNCC’s 2015/2016 Junior Cricketer of the Year, WP Myburgh, Zimbabwean u-19 international Kundai Matigimu and former Old Eds player Daniel van der Berg made their debuts for the Premier XI, under new head coach Nicolaos Moragemos.
Tembisa showed that they are definitely no slouches with the willow as they put on a score of 242 all out.
Zwelo Ntsimbini top-scored for the Tembisans, with 79 runs, while BNCC fast bowler Lance Humphrey returned bowling figures of 3/44 in eight overs, followed by Lee Cothill, with statistics of 2/29 in six overs.
The target of 243 was set and the Northerns batsmen went about chasing down the Tembisan score with minimal fuss.
Opener Matthew “Traddle” Wright was in his usual flamboyant mood as he blitzed his way to 55 runs in no time, while his opening partner and Easterns captain Ernest Kemm casually fired his way to 105 runs.
When Wright’s wicket fell, wicketkeeper Rhenier Jordaan stepped into the crease and rampantly notched up a score of 45.
When his and then Kemm’s wickets were claimed, Reghardt Verster and van der Berg guided the team home.
Those contributions with the bat saw Northerns march to victory in 35.1 overs, to achieve a seven-wicket bonus point win.
Skipper Francis said: “I thought the boys bowled well on a flat wicket with a small outfield.
“We could have bowled better in partnerships, but it was the first game back so I am satisfied.
“Ernie and Traddle were superb upfront with the bat, and basically took the game away from them within the first 15 overs.
“The boys stamped their mark out there and showed the batting power that we are capable of.
Positive batting is what our coach wants to see and we delivered that.
“I am extremely excited for the matches ahead, as our youngsters are also stepping up nicely.”
Coach Moragemos said he was delighted with the performance of his players and praised Tembisa for a valiant effort.
His team will be in for a stern test when they host their first home game at Northern Areas, against newcomers to the league Alberton, on Sunday, October 9.
CLICK HERE for a GALLERY of images from the BNCC vs Tembisa match.
That same opponent defeated captain Kyle Degambur’s Actonville Spurs Premier XI by 86 runs, at the Lindeque Oval, on Sunday.
Alberton posted 239/9 in their 50 overs and bowled out the Spurs batsmen for 153, to win the game.
Degambur said that his side didn’t play well, particularly with the ball.
“It was a disappointing showing from our side,” he said.
“Our batsmen also never took responsibility and we gave away our wickets too cheaply.”
Actonville will travel to Bedfordview (also league newcomers) on Sunday.
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