After a successful tour of Oranjemund last week, the West Coast Rollers returned to FCA duty on Saturday with a game against old rivals Scorpions.
The boys from Distell have had our number in recent years, but with some good form behind us we were confident of a winning start to the season proper, especially after winning the toss on a wicket with a tinge of green.
As was the case on our travels, the opening bowlers were again on the spot and tight as hell, with Andrew Young and Claude Louw restricting the hosts to nine from the first five overs.
Claude (7-2-18-2) made the breakthrough when he had Johan Kapp trapped in front for 10, before Andrew (5-1-27-1) got the big wicket of Dave Bakker, also LBW for 0. ‘Bruce Banner’ has now bowled two balls to the former Dutch international, getting him both times.
Michael van Dewenter came on and got Danie Smith in his first over – Ryan Cooper taking a blinder in the gully – and continued to bowl with amazing control to finish with his best figures of 7-1-35-4.
Ryan kept it tight with a spell of 4-2-5-2, before Mark Haselau got the final wicket – Paul du Plessies top scoring with 20.
So a seemingly easy target of 100 for the victory, and it looked a doddle as Ryan and debutant Izak de Beer took the score to 30/0 after six overs.
But Ryan’s dismissal for 26 sparked a collapse of biblical proportions – and gave a sense of where the name ‘Rollers’ comes from.
The next NINE wickets fell for just 23 runs (!) as Paul – fresh from 5/13 last weekend – again weaved his magic, this time finishing with the incredible figures of 7-3-7-6!
But such is the beauty of the Rollers’ batting lotto system that it’s never over until the fat lady sings and, from the seemingly hopeless position of 53/9, Neville Cooper (26*) and Claude (21*) showed composure and a fair bit of skill to take the visitors over the line in the most nailbiting of fashion.
Another great day of FCA cricket, and a huge thanks to ‘Coach’ Riaan, Hayden and the rest of the Scorpions boys for memorable match.
BATTING
Ryan Cooper 26 (5×4) Izak de Beer 6 Andrew Young 0 Hannes Carlson 3 Nico Rheeder 6 Dewald Human 2 Michael van Dewenter 0 Mark Haselau 3 Neville Cooper 26* Ross Kennedy 0 Claude Louw 21* (2×4)
Extras: 7 TOTAL: 100/9 (32.4 overs)
BOWLING
Andrew Young 5-1-27-1 Claude Louw 7-2-18-2 Michael van Dewenter 7-1-35-4 Ryan Cooper 4-2-5-2 Nico Rheeder 2-0-3-0 Mark Haselau 1.3-0-8-1
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