Mixed bag of cricket results for Quins

ON Saturday, 8 November Umbilo Harlequins’ sixth cricket team took on Crusaders 4 in a 30-over division five encounter at Harlequins 2.

The wicket surface was poorly compacted but suitably grassed.

The outfield was superbly groomed, with sufficiently clear skies and a perpetual fresh north to north easterly wind, being the only nuisance to contend with.

The stage was perfectly set for a top of division five encounter between two formidable teams. Crusaders compiled a par for the course 128 runs in 30 overs. Andre Viljoen took three wickets for 17 runs in six overs, Ian Karg claimed three wickets for 37 runs in six overs and Darryn Lavender took two wickets for 24 runs in six vers. Quins 6 responded in resolute fashion through contributions in the upper middle order by Andre Viljoen with 40 not out, Keith Baxter with 20 runs and Ian Karg with 14 runs and were victories in a closely contested match by three wickets with just seven deliveries to spare. Quins 5 remain at the top of division five.

Sunday, 9 November greeted players with superb low wind velocity and sunshine conditions. Quins’ first 11 played a 50 over challenge league match against log leaders University of KwaZulu-Natal at Harlequins 1 on a lively wicket with a quick outfield. Quins were skittled for 61 runs, primarily by Cameron who bowled with good rhythm, pace and technique to take six wickets for 26 runs in 10 overs. Only Sheldon Swanepoel and Sean Edward managed double figure scores with 11 and 10 runs respectively. UKZN required only 9,5 overs to surpass Quins’ score, losing two wickets in their successful endeavour. This was a deserved victory by UKZN. However it must never be forgotten that lopsided administrative rules and conditions profoundly favour academic institutions like UKZN and defence and security institutions, like SANDF and SAPS, where such entities may take players who are members of their institutions from any other club midway through any season. Quins’ defeat in this match against the log leaders always seemed imminent but was exacerbated by a string of late withdrawals by key players on Sunday morning through so-called ‘injuries’, but credit should be given to those fringe players who made themselves available at very short notice. Late withdrawals in any sport are an administrative nightmare.

Quins two played a 40 over challenge reserve game against Hillary Malvern on the diminutive Hillary venue which is essentially a football sized park. Hillary Malvern 2 only managed 76 runs, being dismissed in 18, 2 overs. Mark Goveia returned the best bowling figures of five overs, three wickets for 11 runs, backed up nicely by Deon Ellis who took two wickets for a dozen runs in four overs. Quins 2 had no issues with the run rate but lost six wickets in their successful endeavour, ending with 80 runs in 13,5 overs. Quins 2 won by four wickets.

Quins 3 took on Phoenix 3 in a 30-over division one encounter at Sidmore. Quins 3 scored 169 for eight wickets in 30 overs. Opening batsman Brett Williams scored 27 runs. Warren Torguis accrued 60 runs and Basil Meintjies was undefeated with 30 runs.

Phoenix 3 was bowled out for 124 runs in 22,1 overs. Seamer Coennie Germishuizen took three wickets for 32 runs in four overs. Josh Brady was ultra-economical in his 4,1 over spell of pace bowling, taking one wicket, but only conceding 10 runs on the small outfield. Right arm wrist spinner Brett Williams captured four wickets for 30 runs in six overs. Quins 3 won by 45 runs.

Delta 4 failed to arrive for their 30-over division two league match against Quins 4, thus Quins 4 won by default.

Finally Quins 5 played a 30-over division three league match against an enthusiastic, energetic KwaDabeka 1 (Pinetown area) at Harlequins 1 on Sunday afternoon. Quins managed a defendable total of 116 runs in 30 overs, losing five wickets. The scribe was undefeated on 35 runs. KwaDabeka 1 went about their effort in an uncharismatic manner with a run rate which was not too different to Quins’, but seldom presenting a wicket to Quins. This left the home team with hopes of strangling KwaDabeka’s run rate with the possibility of beating them without bowling them out. Most of Quins 5’s bowlers performed admirably, with Ravin Price perhaps deserving special mention for his gutsy five-over spell of seam bowling, in which he conceded 17 runs to take two wickets. However some underpitched, wayward deliveries by one Quins 5 opening bowler in his second spell let KwaDabeka gain ascendancy very late in the match, with pull shots and cuts on the back foot, to claim the game with 117 runs with just 10 deliveries remaining, losing three wickets. KwaDabeka won this closely contested match by seven wickets.

Despite an absence of league matches during the exam interlude, Umbilo Harlequins will continue with their junior coaching sessions on Thursday at 5pm. Seniors will practise at 4.30pm on Friday.

Due to hosting of the triple Ram Slam 20 over tournament at Kingsmead on Sunday, 16 November, there is not DDCU nor KZNCU cricket scheduled for that day. The solitary match for Quins will be the division 5 encounter that sees Quins 6 take on Chatsworth Cricket Club’s third team at Penguins Street in Chatsworth on Saturday, 15 November. There will also be an unofficial match between Quins 4 and Quins 5 on Sunday afternoon at Harlequins 1.

Contact Ernest on 031-467-3270 for more club information.