After a perfect start to the season which had seen us win three games on the trot, the Rollers’ impressive run was halted in spectacular style by Cape Town CC at the Boon Wallace Oval on Sunday.
We have been playing some great cricket this season, doing the right things in all three departments, but on this blistering hot day at the second oldest cricket club in the country, it all went tits up, and none more so than the fielding.
Having lost the toss and asked to face the baking sun first – not the ideal situation for the likes of Hannes Carlson, who only got home at 7.15am – the bowlers got put to the sword by former league openers Nash and Ritchie, who put on 84 for the first wicket in double-quick time.
But Casper has proven many times that a hangover won’t stop him, and he was the catalyst for a strong Rollers fightback, taking the first three wickets to fall.
However, it could have all been so much better had we not dropped SEVEN catches during the day.
Still, some tight bowling by the likes of Ryan Cooper (7-1-27-1) and Jacques Laubscher (7-0-22-1) meant we were only chasing 172 for the win – not too bad considering the start they had, coupled with a quick outfield and decent wicket.
But as with the fielding, the Rollers didn’t get off to the best start with the bat – Neville Cooper and George Kamfer back in the hut with just 24 on the board.
Ryan and Francois Geldenhuys provided some hope with a 46-run partnership, but when the former skied one to long-on it instigated a collapse which explains where we get our name from.
From 70/2 we were ‘rolled’ for 97, with the last eight wickets falling for just 27 runs as Lamb (3-31) and Eadie (3-13) did most of the damage.
However, it was not all despair as the Rollers comfortably won the fines session afterwards, proving that no matter how shit your day might be going, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
A special word of thanks to Roger Moult and the guys at Cape Town CC, who proved excellent hosts and played the game in a great spirit. Next year we promise to give you a much better run for your money!
BATTING Neville Cooper 6 (1×4) George Kamfer 10 (2×4) Ryan Cooper 30 (5×4) Francois Geldenhuys 32 (3×4) Hannes Carlson 1 Dewald Human 3 Tim Sant 8* Mark Haselau 2 Jacques Laubscher 0 Andrew Young 2 Francois Siebrits DNB
Extras 2 TOTAL: 97
BOWLING Andrew Young 7-0-34-0 Ryan Cooper 7-1-27-1 Hannes Carlson 7-1-37-3 Dewald Human 2-0-12-0 Jacques Laubscher 7-0-22-1 Francois Siebrits 1-0-5-1 Tim Sant 4-0-22-1
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