Station Hill once again claimed bragging rights in the Grahamstown Cricket Board (GCB) Second League, with a dominant 158 run bonus point win over Port Alfred Seconds in their GCB “Kowie Derby” encounter. The match took place in Port Alfred on Saturday 3 November.
Station Hill, who are the current Second League defending champs, were in total control of the game in all departments. Hill batted first and set up a massive 242 runs. It was the opening batsman Franklin Jacobs who destroyed the bowlers, batting aggressively from the outset. He was top scorer with a hurricane 89 runs. Jacobs was well supported by Sipho Saki (37), Alrico “Ban-Ban” Hilpert (32), Keagan Lotter (25) and Riaan “Come-On” Jacobs (22). Louis Oosthuizen 2/26 (10) and Dian Nel 2/32 (10), were the best bowlers for Port Alfred.
Station Hill’s bowlers were on fire and bowled with extreme aggression and control. Port Alfred lost regular wickets and just could not get going. The hosts eventually stumbled out for a mere 84 runs. Off-spinner Sipho Saki was in fine form with the ball, claiming a match winning 5/27 (6), while the accurate bowling of Riaan Jacobs saw him clinching 4/7 (5).
Makana Sona Firsts vs Cuylerville Firsts
In a rain effected match at Shaw Park on Sunday 4 November, the hosts Cuylerville claimed a controversial win over Makana Sona. This allegedly comes with the calculation of the Duckworth/Lewis (D/L) system that was introduced in determining the target Cuylerville should get. Makana batted first and posted 207. Aviwe Sentwa was the top scorer with a fine knock of 79, while Thabo Linake contributed with 45. Taylor Ntukela was amongst the wicket takers for Cuylerville with 4/38 (10).
After persistent rain and according to the controversial calculations, it was decided the target for Cuylerville was a mere 100 to win. They managed to chase that score down with 4 wickets. Greg Clayton (23) and Niel Van der Linde (20) were amongst the runs for Cuylerville. Lunga Stamper took 2/28 for Makana. Cuylerville won by 6 wickets (D/L).
Sidbury Firsts vs Manleys Flats Firsts
Sidbury took home a convincing win over the struggling Manleys side by a bonus point 130 runs. Sidbury posted a mammoth 360/6 in a rain effected match. The target was later reduced to 282/6 (39). Huge Savage was in sublime form with the bat and scored a magnificent unbeaten century of 101 not out. He received excellent support by another centurion Sean Biggs who batted superb for his 126 runs, while Grant Stone smashed 70 runs. Sidbury managed to bowl Manleys out for just 152 (36.5). Greg Evans 3/25 (7) and Stone 2/28 (6) did all the damage for Sidbury to ensure victory.
Cuylerville Seconds vs Salem Seconds
Salem stunned Cuylerville in their own backyard on Saturday 4 November with a bonus point 113-run win. Salem batted first and posted a formidable 265 runs, and managed to bowl out Cuylerville for 152 (42.2). Bradley Wilmot (47), Ant Scheepers (43), Patrick Buthi (37) and Rob Van der Merwe (36*) all batted beautifully. Warren Tarr took 3/33 (10) and Andrew McCerrow took 2/44 (6), making them the pick of the bowlers for Cuylerville.
Cuyerville could not find their feet in their turn at the crease, due to discipline and accurate bowling by the Salem bowlers. McCerrow was the top scorer, with a fine 52 runs. Brad Wilmot (3/35), Patrick Buthi (3/23), Ross Pittaway (2/29) and Daine Walters (2/23) bowled extremely well for Salem.
Southwell Seconds vs Manley Flats Seconds
Manleys defeated Southwell convincingly with a bonus point 133 runs in their own backyard. Manleys batted first and posted a huge 280/8 and managed to bowl Southwell out for 147 runs. Veteran Dave Duncan starred with the bat for Manleys with a patient 54, while excellent support came from Wade Mayes (51) and Kegan Fisher (50). Knott (2/22), Daly (2/42) and Greg Armitage (4/75) were the stars with the ball for Southwell.
Southwell lost wickets at regular intervals and found themselves back in the pavilion for 147 runs. Daly and Dylan Kruger scored 37 and 28 respectively for Southwell. Craig Fourie (2/28), Fisher (2/26), Joe Balmer (2/32) and Van Zeevenmter (2/18) were all outstanding with the ball for Manleys.
Port Alfred Seconds were scheduled to take on the Early Birds, while Salem’s first team were intended to do battle with Port Alfred, however both matches were rained out.
