Rain has final word on Quins vs Verulam cricket match
Conditions were challenging for both fielding and batting teams with a wet ball, wet outfield and a wicket which was firm but had not quite dried out completely from Friday night's rain.
SUNDAY, 23 November was yet another day of inclement conditions, especially during the late morning period, with a cool southerly breeze prevalent, initially without rain.
However as the scheduled 50 over Umbilo Harlequins versus Verulam Challenge cricket league match progressed, light drizzle commenced and intensified to light rain, causing premature abandonment at the 18th over juncture, just over an hour into the match, with Quins at 67 runs for the loss of four wickets.
Conditions were challenging for both fielding and batting teams with a wet ball, wet outfield and a wicket which was firm but had not quite dried out completely from Friday night’s rain. The wicket surface was certainly conducive for a good match with sufficient live lawn but heavily overcast conditions provided more than usual assistance to Verulam’s seamers. This match was therefore drawn with both teams accruing two log points. Credit should be extended to umpire Saxon Colling and his colleague Mr Oosthuizen for their perseverance in keeping the match alive until the last possible moment as well as to the fielding team, Verulam and to Quins batsmen who braved it out during the adverse conditions.
All other Sunday afternoon matches were abandoned due to the late morning’s rainfall, but ironically most of the menacing stratus type clouds had dissipated by 2pm, but by then, matches had already been cancelled, seemingly as if the weather spirits were taunting the cricketers.
However, Quins’ sixth senior side took on Chatsworth Sporting’s fifth team on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Harlequins two. The wicket was yielding, outfield lawn was longer and heavier than expected, but the resolve of the Quins 5 players was unyielding. Chatsworth Sporting 5 posted a total of 151 runs for the loss of six wickets in 30 overs, with strike bowler Warren capturing three wickets for 31 runs in four overs, backed up with good economical bowling by medium pacers Jason Rouse and Daryl Lavender, who conceded just 23 and 21 runs respectively in their spells of six overs. Quins 5 lost some early wickets during their late afternoon response, causing some degree of initial trepidation despite opening batsman Lionel Gaze doing a good job up front with 30 runs, but Quins’ middle order did really well in poor luminance when clouds eventually shielded the sun near the western horizon. Andre (Moses) Viljoen 39 not out, Ian Karg 16 runs and Craig Laing 16 not out, eventually took Quins 5 to a deserved victory in really gloomy conditions at 153 runs for five wickets at 28,1 overs, to remain on top of division five.
Next weekend, 29 and 30 November, brings a full round of senior fixtures. The first team take on ACC from Amanzimtoti in a 50 over stream one challenge league match at Harlequins 1. The second side plays Newlands East /Kensea 2 in a 40 over challenge reserve game at a home venue besides Lt King Park, the third 11 challenge Merebank one in a 30 over division one encounter at Dhubri Road, the fourth squad versus Newlands East/Kensea 4 in a 30 over division two game at Harlequins 2, and the fifth team match up against INK KwaMashu at Harlequins 2.
Junior coaching sessions will be held at Harlequins on Thursday from 5pm at the Harlequins nets, seniors will practise on Friday at 4.30pm.
There is a club meeting on Thursday, 27 November at 6pm. All members are urged to attend. Call Ernest on 031-467-3270 for more club information.
