Northerns romp to another win

They’ve lost a number of provincial T20 finals there and, most recently, in early December, had a scheduled match against Tembisa at Willowmoore called off, because of an unplayable pitch, which all but scuppered their hopes of successfully defending the Easterns Premier League title that they won for the first time last season.

All that was forgotten on Sunday, February 9, as captain Kurt Francis and his fighting young side powered their way to a thumping eight-wicket league victory over Duduza, at the famous old venue.

The lopsided, bonus-point win was wrapped up inside five hours, including the lunch break, and enabled second-placed Northerns to keep pace with arch rivals Kempton Park, albeit a frustrating six points behind the league leaders with four games left to play in the 2013/14 campaign.

However, with six points awarded for a bonus-point win, it could still be an exciting race to the finish line.

At Willowmoore, Northerns, with Francis finally winning another toss, were ruthless from the off and skittled Duduza for 90 runs in double-quick time, despite the hosts being 86 for the loss of six wickets at one stage.

Benoni’s on-form all-rounder, Ernest Kemm, was once again the star of the bowling show, returning almost unbelievable figures of four wickets for six runs in nine overs.

Northerns then proceeded to dismantle the Duduza attack, although it did take them almost 22 overs to get to their victory target for the toss of just two wickets.

Man of the Match Kemm top-scored with 25, while young JP Kok was unbeaten on 24 when the home side was put out of their misery soon after lunch.

n At Northern Areas, on the same day, Benoni’s Promotion League side were too good for a very young United CC, a fine all-round team effort resulting in a bonus-point win by 86 runs, thanks to stand-out performances by Rian van der Merwe with the bat and Jaco “The Assassin” Kruger with the ball.

Batting first, after losing the toss, Benoni compiled a healthy 261 for six in their 50 overs, a total built around a quite brilliant knock of 108 not out by van der Merwe.

Despite giving a couple of chances early on, the diminutive right-hander knuckled down to play some superb shots.

Van der Merwe faced just 119 deliveries for an awesome strike rate of almost 91, and clobbered nine boundaries and three huge sixes.

Opener Vaughn Humphrey got Benoni off to a solid start with 23 at better than a run a ball, while skipper Juan Schaerer, batting at number five, scored 44 of 68 balls before being caught and bowled by Justin Brink.

In reply, United’s openers Captain and keeper Matthew Corrin (20) and Justin Brink, run out for 26, both got starts before number six Carel Botha ripped into the Northerns bowlers and clobbered 65 off 44 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, before being bowled by pacer Shawn Wessels, who ended with figures of one for 31 in his 10 overs.

Once Botha departed, though, United crumbled and lost their last four wickets for just 18 runs to be 175 all out in the 40th over, the chief destroyer being Kruger with a remarkable four for 35 in 10 overs.

“It was a good batting performance from the lads and it was nice to bat out the full 50 overs for a change,” said Schaerer.

“The win with a bonus point keeps us on top of the log.

“The team is gelling nicely and there is a great vibe in the team.

“We now need to keep the momentum going.”

n This Sunday, February 16, BNCC’s Premier XI host third-placed CBC Old Boys, while the Promotion XI go to Springs to face KwaThema.