Old Boys end losing streak in style
CBC Old Boys put a stop to their growing losing streak in style when they defeated Bedfordview Cricket Club in their Eastern Cricket Premier League match at CBC on December 3.
Following the pre-match coin toss – the home side was sent to bat first in a decision that would yield fruitful results as they came out as convincing 81-run victors to end the first round of the season on a winning note.
The hosts had last won a match on October 29, in an expected win against Tembisa at home. And it seemed like the losing rot would prolong during the early stages of their innings with the willow as openers Mark Pearse and Mpho Ndzimande fell early with three and 19 runs next to their names respectively.
But the hosts were back on track amid the arrival of Dan van der Berg, whose score of 59 was the biggest contribution to Old Boys’ total of 201/8 in their allotted 50 overs.
Craig Parker also had a stellar afternoon with the bat with his own half ton before exiting on 54. Jaydin Liebenberg contributed 17.
Old Boys married their much-improved performance with the willow with tight, no-nonsense bowling and fielding as they deprived the visitors of any momentum and strong partnerships.
Kyle Scheepers finished as his side’s top scorer with 26.
Old Boys bowler Christo van der Merwe enjoyed an outstanding outing, significantly depreciating the Bedforview batting attack in just six overs. He took 4/25.
Ndzimande was next in line as he enjoyed a hat-trick after conceding just seven runs in three overs.
The captain on the day, Willie Bernhardt, who was standing in for incumbent leader Casey Arnold, finished with 2/23 and a single maiden in eight overs.
Bedfordview’s Duane Mountjoy also deserves mention in the bowling stats, completing a joyful personal haul of 3/38 and two maidens in his full 10 overs of delivering. – @SabeloBoksburg
