The West Coast Rollers finished their 2019/20 season on a high on Sunday, beating old foes Western Province Cricket Club by 69 runs at the Vineyard Oval.
After a stuttering start to the campaign, losing the first two matches, we bounced back well, with the result against WPCC meaning we won six of our 10 games, with one rained out.
Opting to bat first on a beautiful track and blisteringly quick outfield, the Rollers lost Michael van Dewenter (1) early on, but that was as good as it got for the hosts’ bowling attack.
Ryan Cooper and Hannes Carlson put on 74 for the second wicket in 12 overs before Casper was out LBW for 35 (off 36 balls).
Ryan was then joined by older brother Neville who, after a scratchy start, finally clicked into gear and caressed the ball to all parts, with the cover boundary a particularly thick line on his wagon wheel.
The two put on 98 for the third wicket before Ryan was caught on the fence for 107 off 99 balls, his second century of the season.
Nicky Rheeder walked to the wicket with less than four overs remaining and proceeded to smashed an unbeaten 25 off just 11 balls, including two massive straight sixes. Neville finished unbeaten on 47 off 58 deliveries as the Rollers posted an imposing 228/3.
WPCC’s reply never got going as Michael ripped through the top order with a devastating spell of swing bowling, picking up the first three batsmen to finish with figures of 7-3-12-3.
Nico Rheeder, playing his first game in two years, looked like he spent the time away practising his leggies as he bamboozled the batsmen with flight and guile, eventually finishing with 3/27 off his seven overs.
Debutant Charl Bester (1/19), Hannes (1/21) and Nicky (1/12) also picked up sticks as WPCC finished on 159/9 off 35 overs - a comfortable victory for the Rollers, and one that could have been achieved a few overs earlier but for five dropped catches, Leon Theron’s 13-ball over, and a joint innings high 38 extras.
As always, a big shoutout to Nic Slabbert and his team for a game played in great spirit, and for some excellent boeries and plenty of beer afterwards.
SCORECARD
Batting
Ryan Cooper 107 (off 99 balls, 4x6, 12x4)
Michael van Dewenter 1
Hannes Carlson 35 (off 36 balls, 5x4)
Neville Cooper 47* (off 58 balls, 6x4)
Nicky Rheeder 25* (off 11 balls, 2x6, 2x4)
Extras: 13
TOTAL: 228/3 (35 overs)
Bowling
Michael van Dewenter 7-3-12-3
Ruan de Jongh 5-0-26-0
Jonathan Dauffe 4-0-17-0
Nico Rheeder 7-1-27-3
Charl Bester 5-1-19-1
Hannes Carlson 3-0-21-1
Nicky Rheeder 3-0-12-1
Leon Theron 1-0-18-0
留言