Close call for Quins

UMBILO Harlequins Cricket Club’s first and fourth teams were engaged in league matches on Sunday.

The first team travelled to Umzinto for a scheduled 50-over stream one Challenge League match against Umzinto on Sunday. Quins’ opening batsman Faisal Barakzai top scored with 53 runs and Mohammed Patel managed 23 runs at number 7, allowing Quins a moderate total of 139 runs all out in the 35th over.

With a sporadic contribution of runs by Umzinto batsmen throughout Umzinto’s innings, the match was theirs for the taking, especially when their number eight batsman smashed two sixes and two fours, it appeared as if Quins were to lose this encounter, with just two runs required and no spare wickets remaining. However, Willem Fourie took a sensational catch to dismiss the big striking right handed batsman earning Quins five crucial log points to elevate them to seventh position in the KZNCU stream one Challenge League.

The fourth team versed Hillary Malvern in a 30 over division two match. Hillary Malvern accrued 96 runs in short time before Quins struck with their first wicket in the 14th over. However, Quins’ fielders dropped six catches prior to the 15th over. Right arm orthodox slow bowler Eric Cavanagh captured four wickets restricting Hillary Malvern to 169 runs in 30 overs.

Quins’ batting response was abysmal as they lost regular wickets for insufficient contributions falling shy of the target by a mere dozen runs. Shaveer Bhopal top scored with 40 runs, Clinton got 22 runs, Mark Len Ferna De la Motte managed 19 runs, Matt Hilderbrandt struck 15 runs, Eric Cavanagh contributed 13 runs and Reinhardt Olivier hit a 12 runs.

All Quins’ teams will be engaged in league matches on 18 and 19 February with the exception of the second side who are likely to commence their T20 games on 26 February,

Junior coaching will be on Thursday from 5pm at Harlequins nets and seniors will practice from 4.30pm on Friday.

Contact Ernest on 031 467 3270 for further club information.