The Rollers maintained their recent winning streak against Western Province Cricket Club, beating our mates from the southern suburbs by two wickets in a match that could have gone either way.
After having had the wood over us for years, the Rollers have managed to get the better of Neil Watson and Co in the last few matches – and that again was the case on Sunday at the picturesque Vineyard Oval in the heart of Rondebosch.
Offered the toss, Neville Cooper decided to bowl first, though it initially looked a decision that could backfire as the home side took the score to 46 for the first wicket (despite a fiery spell of 4-1-5-0 from Cornell Keulder) before Jacques Laubscher had Roussard caught on the long-on boundary for 21.
The fall of the wicket brought together two ‘imports’, including the very vocal WPCC first teamer Siya Sibiya, who did not miss an opportunity to tell us how drunk he was after scoring so many runs as his team won the league title the day before. Or something like that.
It mattered little to Andrew Young. After being struck for a first-ball four, ‘Bruce Banner’ replied with a peach of an inswinger to clean up the abovementioned superstar for four, off-stump flying out of the ground.
Not done quite yet, Andrew then picked up the other league player as well, trapped in front for 38.
From there it was a continued procession of wickets, with Hannes Carlson the chief destroyer with 3-15 off his seven overs, though a special word of mention must go to the entire team for one of the sharpest fielding performances for a long time – some great ground fielding, sharp catches and three run-outs.
WPCC were eventually out for 133 in the final over; not the most challenging total, but certainly well within the Rollers capabilities to cock up.
Casper and debutant Stuart Bruce opened the batting and put on 21 before the former was bowled for eight. Stuart continued chipping and frustrating the fielders before he tried one big shot too many and was caught at long-on for 24 off just 21 balls.
Ryan Cooper joined George ‘Kallis’ Kamfer at the wicket and together they put on 44 for the third wicket, with the latter playing some MCC textbook-style shots, albeit straight at fielders. He was eventually dismissed for a … er, patient 18 off 57 deliveries, and another debutant, Dewald Human, followed soon after for a duck.
Ryan was gunned LBW for 40 off 34 balls to leave the Rollers at 99/5, but Scooter (6), Neville (12), and Francois Sieberts (13) got us close enough, before Cornell (7*) and Michael van Dewenter (2*) took us home with just over three overs to spare.
The Rollers took over the clubhouse at the main ground afterwards, with Neil representing the opposition, and some good fun was had.
So one more game this season, against either Bellville or MLC, and the bowling prize in particular is shaping up to be a close one between Casper and Andrew.
BATTING
Hannes Carlson 8 (8 balls, 2×4) Stuart Bruce 24 (21 balls, 2×4) George Kamfer 18 (57 balls, 1×4) Ryan Cooper 40 (34 balls, 4×4) Dewald Human 0 (3 balls) Jacques Laubscher 6 (16 balls, 1×4) Neville Cooper 12 (11 balls, 2×4) Francois Sieberts 13 (23 balls, 1×6) Cornell Keulder 7* (7 balls, 1×4) Michael van Dewenter 2* (5 balls)
Extras 4 TOTAL 134/8
BOWLING Cornell Keulder 4-1-5-0 Ryan Cooper 7-039-1 Jacques Laubscher 5-0-31-1 Andrew Young 7-2-14-2 Stuart Bruce 2-0-13-0 Dewald Human 3-0-13-0 Hannes Carlson 7-0-15-3
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