Port Alfred’s First Cricket Club pulled off an upset on Sunday 18 November with a narrow two wicket victory over Willows. This Grahamstown Cricket Board’s (GCB) First league fixture took place at the Port Alfred Country Club.
Willows batted first on a very tricky and uneven pitch, which saw the Port Alfred bowlers taking full advantage of the conditions. Willows found themselves deep in trouble with 25/6, with the uneven pitch causing them all sorts of trouble. Credit should also go to the home side’s bowlers who put the ball in the right areas and bowled good line and lengths. Experienced batsman, Luvane Daniels, who played first game of the season, came to terms with the pitch, batting patiently and showing his class and experience, top scoring with an unbeaten 81 runs. Justin Dollery (5/33 (10)) and Warren Bowdler (2/25 (10)) were the destroyers-in-chief for Port Alfred. Willows ended up with 152 (32.1).
Port Alfred started off well as the wicket started to turn in their favour. JC Pittaway (36), Skyla Booi (26) and Warren Bowdler (26) batted very aggressive and positively, allowing the home side to remain in control of proceedings. The Willows bowlers fought back nicely and almost clinched a win at the death, but it was all too late as Port Alfred made 153/8 (31.3). For Willows, Winston Johnson (3/20 (8.3)) and veteran spinner Chesley Chusta Daniels (3/38 (5)) were the stand out bowlers for their side.
2nd League
Salem vs Early Birds
Salem 238
– Mike Mattison 49, Ross Pittaway 30, Tiaan Scheepers 32
Early Birds 95 all out
* Corne Labuschagne 7/35 (10), Ross Pittaway 1/48 (10)
Salem won by 143 runs + bonus point
Cuylerville vs Tiger Titans
Titans 362
– Zakes Simanga 94, Bongo Draai 83
* Andrew McCerrow 2/69 (9), Simon Ynedall 2/44 (10)
Cuylerville 236
– Cliff Dell 53, Gary Fletcher 60
* Draai 4/43 (10), Ntukela 2/47 (8)
Titans won by 126 runs + bonus point
Sidbury vs Rainbows
Rainbows 153
– T Shotana 75
* P Gradwell 4/28 (10), Juandre Nel 2/19 (6), Francois Nel 2/23 (6)
Sidbury 133
– F Nel 33
* Shotana 4/22 (8), T Mlonyeni 3/28 (9)
Rainbows won by 20 runs
Port Alfred vs Southwell
Southwell 191
– D Kruger 63
* JC Pittaway 3/49 (10)
Port Alfred 193/3 (31.4)
– JC Pittaway 102
* Justin Stirk 2/32 (7)
Port Alfred won by 7 wickets + bonus point
