ALL Umbilo Harlequins cricket teams were engaged in officially scheduled league matches on Saturday and Sunday, 17 and 18 January.
On Saturday, 17 January ‘Quins sixth team took on Verulam’s third team in a 30 over division five league match at Harlequins main oval at 1.30 pm.
Verulam three only managed to score 42 runs in their innings as they were dismissed through some good seam bowling in just 17 overs. Darryl Lavender claimed three wickets for a dozen runs in 6 overs, Warren captured two wickets for 9 runs in four overs of hostile pace bowling despite a back anomaly, Craig Laing bowled two opposition batsmen out for 5 runs in a single over.
Gavin Hazel took two wickets for 10 runs in 4 overs of accurate medium paced deliveries and Jason Rouse claimed one wicket for 2 runs in 2 overs of economical medium paced bowling. Due to the small target, Quins provided two of their lower order batsmen the opportunity to spend time at the crease. This the openers did not do as they notched up 45 runs in just 23 deliveries, through some big hitting by Warren who scored 45 undefeated runs and Craig Laing who was undefeated on 12 runs. Quins 6 won by ten wickets.
On Sunday morning, Quins U11 were scheduled to play a 30 over south stream youth match at Harlequins 2 against a development team from Folweni, Adams Mission, KwaMakhutha from 8.30am.
Sadly for these juniors the opposition cancelled their match shortly before commencement time, as a consequence, a practice match between ‘Quins U11s was held, providing some game time for the youngsters.
Quins U13 played a 30 over south stream youth league match against Chatsworth Sporting at Bayview from 8.30am. Quins U13 scored 95 runs in 22 overs. Only three batsmen managed double figures Tyler Jordan got a dozen runs, Corvin Ebelthite scored 17 and Heath Manicom top scored with 18 runs. Quins turn at bowling proved ineffectual and was non-penetrative in that only five Chatsworth Sporting batsmen were dismissed in 13, 1 overs. Tyler Jordan took two wickets for 21 runs in 3 overs. Quins U13 lost by five wickets.
Quins first side took on Simplex RHCSC in a 50 over stream one Challenge League match at Harlequins one at 9am.
Credit should be bestowed on the eThekwini parks south maintenance utility in providing a superlatively groomed fast outfield and a fine wicket with reasonable bounce and carry perhaps.
Perhaps Quins captain had some intuition in having the desire to bat first on this dry wicket, but lost the toss of the coin with the opposition electing to field first anyway.
Lefthanded opening batsman, Dylan Labuschagne played out one of his best innings ever, with controlled strokes, a sound defence and exquisite running between the creases especially with Sean Edward who managed 23 runs, Sheldon Swanepoel who struck 31 runs and Jason Wagner who compiled an undefeated personal total of 42 runs.
Dylan held the innings together scoring a personal best of 89 runs which included 7 fours and two sixes on a big field. Adam Mather chipped in with a dozen runs to take ‘Quins through to a sizable tally of 243 runs in 50 overs, losing 9 wickets.
Simplex RHCSC’s batsmen were subjected to a barrage of hostile strike bowling by Quins opening bowlers especially with the newer ball, with an array of yorkers, good length deliveries, bouncers and some unfortunate wayward wides.
Kevin Kettle took two wickets for 29 runs in 7 overs and Adam Mather claimed 1 wicket. Quins change bowlers were introduced into the attack in the 13th and 14th overs in the form of right arm wrist spinner Dieter Liebenberg and seamer Sean Edward were at a stage where the slow moving Ali Lagari was gaining some momentum in his innings with plenty of well executed on side shots. Ali Lagari caused so much pain and stress for the Quins team in their previous clash of 12 October by bashing Quins attack all over especially lofted off drives taking Simplex RHCSC through to a comfortable victory, in match significantly shortened by preceding rain.
However Ali’s innings although enterprising was curtailed this time, scoring just 20 runs, giving way to a significantly weakened lower middle order and tail, which the change bowlers had no problem in dismantling in short time with a total of 85 runs in 26 overs.
Dieter Liebenberg captured four wickets for 20 runs in 6 overs and arguably the best spell of the day came from Sean Edward who extracted good lateral movement from seam contact with the deck, at fair pace to claim three wickets for 11 runs in seven overs. Quins take five points from this match, but must realise that they came up against a substantially weekend opposition who have had almost a complete player turn-a-round and who are in a development phase of grooming new youngsters into their fold at challenge league level, and Quins should abstain from the possible effects of complacency emanating from this victory.
Quins second eleven versed Umlazi in a 40 over Challenge Reserve league match at Cato Manor 2 from 1.30pm. Quins tallied up 153 runs in 32,1 of their 40 overs. Opener, Mark Kritzinger scored 34 runs. W van der Sloot managed 42 runs and G Riddle got 19 runs. Umlazi were dismissed for 82 runs. Left arm orthodox slow bowler, Kevin Norris claimed three wickets for 12 runs in 7, 2 overs, Saint John Piek also claimed three wickets for 26 runs in 7 overs of improvised right arm orthodox slow bowling and Tim Hodkinson captured two wickets for 16 runs during his stint of six overs of medium paced seams bowling. Quins 2 won by 71 runs.
Quins third team played Hillary Malvern 3 in a 30 over Challenge League encounter at Peace Park, Malvern at 1.30pm. Quins 3 scored 223 runs for the loss of six wickets in 30 overs. Brett Williams scored 37 runs. John Meintjies managed 65 runs and Wayne Hook was undefeated with 46 runs. Josh Brady was Quins 3’s most successful bowler with four wickets for 26 runs in 4, 3 overs helping to dismiss Hillary Malvern for 206 runs with three balls to spare. The third team won by 17 runs.
Quins fifth side played FAM 1 at Bayview in a 30 over division three match from 1.30pm. Quins 5 compiled a moderate total of 128 runs for the loss of five wickets in 19 overs. Casper Groenewaldt was 32 not out. Trent de Villiers scored 20 and Clinton Abrahams despite a shoulder injury scored 35 runs. Folweni, Adams Mission, KwaMakhutha came within a whisker of winning this match, but unfortunately they were just six runs shy being dismissed with 17 deliveries remaining.
Coaching sessions for juniors will be held at Harlequins nets from 5pm on Thursday and practices for seniors will be from 4.30pm on Friday.
Call Ernest on 031-467-3270 for more club information.
