Just over a year ago the Ulster Grasshoppers graced the Groot Drak grounds and left with the heady mix of a one sided victory, full bellies, fines-meeting-laugh-lines and a promise to return. Who knew that the promise would be fulfilled so soon and it was with great pleasure that the fixture was booked in for Saturday the 25th January 2025.
The day dawned a beautiful winelands scorcher and the touring side was warned to apply buckets of sun cream and keep hydrated for what was set to be a great day of cricket. As Groot Drak tradition stipulates, the visitors were relieved of having to field in the 38 degree sun and were sent in to bat with opening bowlers Mr Matt Hughes (2/53 from 8) and Craig McNaught (0/20 from 7) looking amped to fire up their engines and make the most of a track that looked true and consistent. It was evident from ball one that Matt Hughes was keen to bend his back and he swung it both ways and moved it off the seam to put the openers under pressure early on. He was unlucky to not raise the umpires digit for an edge that was reportedly heard back in Belfast but fought back nicely to end his first spell having taken 2 great wickets. Similarly Craig focused on line and length and bowled some wicket to wicket overs to keep the Ulster men feeling a bit of scoreboard pressure.
The top 3 Ulster batsmen all showed signs of getting in and bedding down and hit some lovely strokes before being dismissed mid teens much to the relief of the Groot Drak team. Special note goes to Mark Rist for his bootlace high catch at square leg with resultant celebrations reminiscent of premier league football goals.
After the opening spell, the ball was handed over to Albert van T(i)onder and Jaco Swarts (aka Louis) who both bowled very economically and put the batsman under pressure despite Neil Gill (98 from 108) from the Grasshoppers starting to show that he was getting his eye in nicely and runs were starting to flow a touch more freely. Alan Sherratt (1/59 from 8) came in to the attack with Bruce Taylor (2/29 from 4) later from the other end in a plan to crack the middle order and get some valuable wickets. Bruce’s airborne attack proved to be too tempting for some of the Ulster men and 2 early wickets fell in Bruce’s spell amongst cries of “I cant foo$$in believe it,” and “that’s a right sh1te”. Alan kept it tidy for the first 5 overs with a few chances going begging before Neil Gill started seeing it true and lofted Alan around the park. Ultimately the plan worked and Neil popped one to Jaco Swarts to be dismissed after a great innings.
Craig and Matt returned for another great spell and all in all the Ulster Grasshoppers posted a healthy 216 off their allotted 40 overs before heading to the pool and for a rejuvenating lunch.
Again, as tradition dictates – the Ulster team saluted the Groot Drak flag and downed a shot of sun warmed brandy to even the playing fields of not having to spend the hottest time of the day in the field before heading out to defend what everyone thought was a fair total on a track that was starting to slide on a touch. The Groot Drak openers in Mark Rist (8 from 14) and Pat Lawson (3 from 10) were padded up and keen to get stuck in.
It was evident early on that the average age of the Ulster side was a lot less than Groot Drak and this was going to probably shine through in some seam bowling. Both the Ulster openers had good first spells and moved the ball nicely both in the air and off the deck. It was with some twisted irony that both Pat and Mark were given out LBW by their own team umpires after the skipper having discussed with the travelling umpires that LBW’s should be a rarity. Enter Mr Hughes (39 from 46) who looked solid from the get go and worked the ball around the ground. He unfortunately wasn’t well supported by a flurry of wickets in Jaco Swarts (uncharacteristically 0) and Jono Boulton (2) leaving Christiaan Ritter (44 from 54) to head to the crease with only 37 on the board. Despite not feeling 100% and sporting a tweaked hamstring, Christiaan and Mr Hughes set about steadily adding some runs to get the home side to 95 from 17 overs before Mr Hughes was caught out. Enter Craig McNaught (0 from 2) who was looking forward to an unusual amount of overs to spare and a heap of runs to be made when he heads in but unfortunately it was not a day to avoid the duck helmet for Mr McNaught. With 122 runs still to be made and half time drinks not yet served, skipper Alan headed in to join Christiaan at the crease and attempt to avoid another one sided victory for the Irish.
Alan and Christiaan pushed the ball around where possible and tried to dispatch anything loose to edge the home side closer to a respectful chase. It was a pleasure for all to watch Christiaan open his shoulders every now and again and he definitely played a “lifesavers” innings before being caught dead in front in the 27th over with Groot Drak sitting on 135/7. Bruce Taylor (0 from 1) looked amped to be in the middle however didn’t last long and Albert Van Tonder (18 from 25) joined Alan in a precarious 135/8 with 13 overs to play and 82 to get.
Albert showed some true grit and a steady head and rotated the strike nicely allowing Alan to make the most of having been in for a while the pair accelerated slightly, ran hard and slowly clawed back to a position of perhaps winning despite only 2 wickets in hand. Alan was eventually dismissed in the 37th over having posted 62 from 63 and it was left to Zak Barnard and Albert to make the final 11 runs in 3 overs.
The whole 31 strong touring side, the home team and supporters and even the ground staff were glued to the action and despite some good tail end bowling, Zak and Albert managed to take the home team over the line with Zak scoring 7 from 6 balls and Groot Drak realising a hard fought victory. As Neil Watson, the Ulster Grasshoppers Tour Operator and former Groot Drak skipper commented, “all 3 possible results were on the cards today.” What more can one ask from a game of cricket with nearly every player contributing in some way and the result coming down to the wire.
Pitch drinks were followed by a great fines session as we watched the setting Boland sun against a beautiful mountain backdrop before heading inside for some lamb on the spit, some Stony Brook wine and shared laughs amongst all who witnessed the cricket that day.
Thanks to the Ulster Grasshoppers for traveling, all those involved in ground prep, tour prep and catering organization and most of all to all the players who exuded the spirit of friendly cricket and no doubt created some memories to last a lifetime.
Lifesaver: Christiaan Ritter
Man of the Match: Alan Sherratt
