UMBILO Harlequins Cricket Club played three league matches during the weekend of 17 and 18 February.
Due to the forecast of imminent, intermittent light rain during the course of late Friday and Saturday, Quins applied light covers over hessian on the wicket, which was superbly compacted.
The consequence of leaving synthetic covers over the wicket since Friday evening was clearly evident when the sheets were removed on Sunday morning. Most of the compressed lawn had re-invigorated somewhat which would provide a good deal of assistance to pace bowling for at least the first 90 minutes. The outfield was superb.
Quins was fortuitous in fielding first with fast bowler Yusuf Abdulla capturing two early wickets for 11 runs in five overs of swing bowling. Fast bowler Kevin Kettle assisted Yusuf in removing the top five Simplex Reservoir Hills batsmen by taking three wickets for 28 runs in seven overs. Right arm wrist spinner Dieter Liebenberg mopped up the opposition’s tail-enders by taking three wickets for 17 runs in four overs, restricting Simplex RHCSC to a well below par tally of 108 for 10 wicket in 31 overs.
Quins was in heaps of trouble in the second over when Said Cassim was adjudged to be out leg before wicket, Andrea Dal Moro was run out and Aziz Khan was caught with the team’s score on 19 runs. However regular attendee at training sessions Momedtala Motala went to the wicket at number four, striking a multitude of boundaries, especially his prolific favourite stroke – the powerful late cut, to score an undefeated 65 runs, ably assisted by the ever-so-correct and well balanced Faiyas Safri, who was bowled for 26 runs. Quins scored 109 runs for four wickets, requiring just 85 deliveries to achieve a clinical victory by six wickets, taking five log points from this encounter.
In retrospect, having fielded first on a pitch with freshly removed covers provided Quins with a profound advantage on a seamer friendly wicket which dried out during the course of a sunny morning. This gave Quins’ batsmen an easy wicket to contend with in the early afternoon period.
The second team took on East Coast 2 in a 40 over Challenge reserve match at Harlequins 2 on Sunday afternoon. Quins’ opening batsman Taine Owen top scored in the match with 69 runs. Daniel Smuts got 32 runs. Trevor Campbell managed 19 runs, S Rauhadam acquired a dozen runs and A Gangurum 11 runs to take Quins through to a formidable total of 204 runs for the loss of all wickets in 36,1 overs.
Quins 2 had no problem in dismissing East Coast for just 60 runs in 19,1 overs. Medium paced bowlers Trevor Campbell, Andre Potgieter and A Gangarum each took two wickets and so did right arm orthodox slow bowler Kalvin Venter. Quins 2 won by 144 runs.
The third, fourth and fifth teams and the U13 side all had byes. The sixth team’s opposition Clares 4 scratched their division 5 match.
The U11 team took on Chesterville U11s in a 30 over youth league match at Harlequins 2 on Sunday morning. While no-one else acquired double figures, player of the match was Quins’ opening batter, Jandre Fourie who was undefeated on 77 runs. Quins was dismissed for Nelson (111) in 17 overs. Chesterville’s U11s responded with 115 runs in 16 overs, winning this encounter by six wickets.
After the sixth team’s opposition scratched on Saturday, the fifth team and sixth sides had an unofficial match at Lt King Park on Sunday morning. This showed that there is much enthusiasm, even at this late juncture of the current season. Quins 6 beat Quins 5 by four wickets, due to home ground advantage. B Ovine top scored for Quins 6 with 30 runs and S Govender captured four wickets for 21 runs in five overs.
This Saturday, 24 February the Quins sixth team, which is undefeated this season, will take on Chatsworth United in a crucial final division 5 match at the 114 venue in Chatsworth from 1.30pm. The result of this will determine the league’s winners. On Sunday the first team will play Umlazi at Umlazi in a 50 over stream one Challenge league match from 9am. The third team plays Merebank 1 at Dubhri Road. The fourth side takes on Chatsworth Sporting 4 at H1. The U13 and U11 teams have home matches at Harlequins.
There will be an awards event during the day at Harlequins on Saturday, 7 April 2018, preceded by fun activities.
Coaching sessions for juniors are on Thursdays from 4.30pm and practises for seniors are on Fridays from 4.30pm.
Call Ernest on 031-467-3270 for club information.
