Quins tie in challenge league match

ALMOST the full component of Umbilo Harlequins’ six senior cricket teams were engaged in league match activities during the course of the weekend.

Members of the challenge league team who were desperate to clinch a victory against a composite side called ILembe, comprising 10 clubs to the north of Durban, were subject to a sensational match. Quins batted first with the majority of their top order making minor contributions to the eventual total. However, lower middle order batsman Kevin Kettle added significant impetus through pulling two deliveries to the boundary and one way over the square leg boundary, and some deft sweeping a few balls, top scored for Quins with 30 runs. Quins scored a total of 123 runs in 26,2 of their 27 overs.

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ILembe’s top four batsmen seemed to have this match secured for ILembe by having taken their total to 91 runs for the loss of three wickets in the 18th over, needing just 33 runs in 11 overs to be victories in the match. A dynamic and penetrative second spell by medium pace off cut bowler Mohamed Patel removed four batsmen for 27 runs off a total of six overs and Kevin Kettle’s five overs of pace bowling conceded 18 runs capturing two wickets.

The two teams’ scores were tied with eight deliveries remaining with ILembe having two wickets remaining, however jittery inexperience resulted in the last two ILembe batsmen being sensationally run out with four deliveries remaining in the match. This match was a real humdinger despite ILembe having had the initiative during the majority of the match, the result of which was a tie.

Other team results: Quins’ 2nds beat Chatsworth United 2 by 4 wickets; Quins’ 3rds beat DHS/ Rhythm 3; Quins’ 4ths lost to Clares 3; Quins’ 5ths beat Merebank 3 by 72 runs.

Coaching sessions for Juniors will be on Thursday from 4.30pm and practice for seniors will be on Fridays at the Harlequins cricket nets. The annual awards will follow a fun day event at Harlequins Cricket Club on Saturday 7 April. Contact Ernest on 031 467 3270.

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