A rather gloomy and overcast day greeted us for our fixture on the 10th of November. Groot Drak’s opposition for the day was a remarkably youthful and athletic bunch from The City Bowlers. Standing in as skipper for the day, Jonathan Boulton almost made it out to the middle with opposing captain, Greg Bowles, to toss, before the two came to a mutual agreement that saw Groot Drak padding up.
The pitch looked like it had just undergone Swiss-engineered roadworks. Flat, hard, and not a crack nor a blade of grass to be found.
The innings got underway with Marko Combrink and Jaco Swarts at the crease. Marko opened his account with a boundary but capitulated for just 5, bringing Conrad Schultz out to the middle.
Jaco did some pretty serious damage upfront, showing off classic lofted drives through the covers as well as a slog sweep that cleared the clubhouse. The Bowlers were fortunate to get Jaco for 38 from 35, because he was looking hungry. Turns out he was just thirsty.
Seldom getting a chance to bat before drinks, Jono Boulton strode out at number 4 to get in on the action.
Conrad looked set, but was gunned for 21, causing a wobble in the middle order. Wessel Lourens (4 from 5) and Herman Fourie (5 from 15) were back in the clubhouse without too much fuss. Jono, all the while, was steadily getting on with things and middled everything that he threw the bat at. Several pulls through mid-wicket saw him notch up a perfectly paced half-century with a lot of cricket still to come.
Joining Jono at number 7, Albert van Tonder put together a supportive knock of 23 from 31, giving the lion’s share of the strike to his skipper, who was seeing it big. Jono’s hitting became so destructive that after being smashed for four boundaries in four balls, City Bowlers’ opening bowler changed from seam-up to off spin in an effort to suppress the bleeding.
After 31 overs, Drak surpassed the 200 mark and Craig McNaught was sent in at number 8.
Knowing that Jono was closing in on a big milestone, Craig (11* from 7) pushed to keep Jono on strike, even though the body was resisting twos so late in the piece.
With just three balls remaining in the innings, Jono was tantalizingly close to three figures, on 97.
A back-of-a-length delivery and Jono’s eyes lit up as he pulled the ball through mid wicket to the fence, bringing up an absolutely magical, unbeaten, maiden century for the club.
Groot Drak had posted a competitive 234/6 in their 35 overs, but would need to back up the batting performance with the ball, on a pitch that was not offering much assistance for the bowlers.
Opting for experience over youth, Craig McNaught (1/19 from 5) and Conrad Schultz (0/23 from 4) were asked to open the bowling and they did their job up front.
First change bowlers, Albert van Tonder (0/32 from 4) and Jo Lloyd (0/26 from 3), were a touch expensive, even though Albert was unlucky not to pick up a couple of sticks, having multiple chances missed from his bowling.
William Cumpsty was introduced into the attack with Simon and Shannon from City Bowlers notching up quick fifties. At drinks, the visitors were well and truly on top, having amassed roughly 120 for 1 after 17 overs.
The breakthrough finally came as William (1/35 from 4) nabbed his first ever scalp for Groot Drak, exposing the middle order of the opposition, now needing a little more than 6 per over.
Turning to the spinners, Herman Fourie and Jaco Swarts were tossed the ball. ‘Harry’ was a touch expensive early on in his spell, but settled into his work nicely, while Jaco got into the wickets almost immediately. Jakes’ wily offies had the City Bowlers struggling. He picked up four wickets in as many overs and was on the hunt for a fifth. Arguably his most important wicket was that of Shannon (83), who was finally caught at cover by Jo Lloyd.
Herman deserved his two wickets and ended with returns of 2/31 from his 7 over spell.
The final wicket of the day fell thanks to a good catch in the deep from Marko Combrink, completing Jaco’s exceptional five-for and bringing the game to a close with the Drakies on top.
On paper, the match looked fairly one-sided, but it was in the balance for most of the game. Without two individual displays of skill with the bat from Jono (102* from 90) and with the ball from Jaco (5/17 from 6) we would have seen a very different movie.
A quick fines meeting was held before the icing on the cake: watching the Springboks dismantle the Scots with the Groot Drak bar in full swing.
Thanks to the City Bowlers for a highly entertaining day. We look forward to welcoming them back next season.
Man of the match: Jonathan Boulton
Lifesaver: Jaco Swarts
Match report by Craig McNaught
