The West Coast Rollers made it four wins from four this season with a 27-run victory against Claremont Gents on Sunday.
After being offered the toss - and the always awesome Gary Pentland-Smith graciously offering up some pitch advice - the Rollers opted to bat on a beautiful wicket which came onto the bat perfectly, but also offered some decent seam movement for the bowlers.
This, coupled with a lightning quick outfield, saw the visitors get off to a good start with the band belting out some classic 80s tunes, ala St George’s Park.
Bryan Bowler and Ryan Cooper put on 59 runs for the first wicket before the former did his usual Aiden Markram act, belting some glorious cover drives and cut shots before finding a way to lose his wicket in the 20s.
Ruan de Jongh (5) came and went, the second of Gazza’s (6-0-35-2) victims, before Ryan found a willing partner in his nephew, Ayden Cooper. They added 90 runs in 14 overs for the third wicket before Jakkals dismissed the youngster with a big in-ducker for 21.
But by this time Ryan was seeing the ball fairly decently and helped himself to 22 off the final over to finish unbeaten on 145, a new Rollers high score.
219 was the target to chase down and the Gents got off to a fine start, with Brandon Nash and Johan Taljaard putting on 60 in 13 overs before Ruan pulled off an excellent diving catch to dismiss the captain for 24.
Chris van der Merwe got the wicket, and his spell of 5-1-18-1 really put the home side on the back foot in terms of the required rate. Jacques Labuschagne then added his name to the wickets column, getting the big scalp of Johan, before Wes Gabriels climbed into the attack.
He smashed his way to 58 off just 38 balls, but when he fell to the miserly Tom Stapylton-Smith (6-0-13-1) with two overs to go, the game was all but over and the Rollers exacted some revenge for last year’s hammering.
As always, a game played in absolute top spirit and with mutual respect among both sets of players. Thanks again to Brandon, Gazza and Co for a top day out!
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