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

Groot Drak had the honour of hosting the illustrious Oxford University back in 2019, where the game went down to the wire and resulted in a tie. Both teams were keen on going one-up when Oxford revisited Pickstone Oval on Tuesday the 19th of March.

After a brief pitch inspection, Oxford skipper Ben – who was part of the setup five years ago – was more than happy to accept the offer of batting first. Having arranged a fifty-over-per-innings match, the local (and far older) hosts were anxious to see what was in store for them.

The first over was bowled by local paceman Achille Cloete, who settled into his work well after finding some rhythm. Even though he managed two maidens in his first spell, the wickets column remained empty for now. Opening the bowling from the south was Groot Drak’s captain, Craig McNaught (1/33 from 6) who started with a maiden and picked up an early wicket to see Oxford 13/1 in the fourth over.

The visitors took advantage of the bowling changes and were looking set before the first drinks break. Conrad Schultz (0/33 from 6) and Alan Sherratt (0/69 from 10) created some half-chances and were both unlucky to not pick up a wicket.

Robbie Hardwick, batting at 3, looked a little shaky for Oxford to start, but eventually started to time the ball – he chalked up a fifty and shortly after that a century, which saw him retiring in the comfort of the clubhouse.

In his second spell, Achille Cloete (2/63 from 10) forced a very necessary breakthrough, but Oxford were firmly on top at 196/2 after 34 overs.

Having played countless matches at Groot Drak, Angus Simmers (0/37 from 6) and Colin Myburgh (0/44 from 7) bowled better than their figures might suggest, as the youngsters from Oxford started to accelerate, sensing a big score.

Unfortunately, Quintin van der Westhuizen was asked to bowl towards the end of the innings and was taken for 51 runs from his 5 overs as the students amassed 343/4 from their 50 overs, with a run out from the last ball. Three of Oxford’s top five had put on scores of 90 or more.

At almost seven an over required, Daryll decided that the young visitors should be dealt double shots of brandy as they saluted the Groot Drak flag and made their way back on to the field after a short lunch break.

Groot Drak’s most successful opening pair for quite a few seasons, Quintin van der Westhuizen and Rikus Walters were asked to face the music first up.

While the duo did their job in seeing some of the shine off the new ball, both Quintin (16 from 26) and Rikus (8 from 27) got starts but couldn’t convert.

A further flurry of wickets saw Mark Nel (4 from 22) and Jaco Carstens (13 from 11) depart early, bringing Conrad Schultz to the crease with the score on 40/3 after 14 overs.

While Conrad dug deep, wickets continued to fall cheaply around him; Alan Sherratt (7 from 22), Morne Landman (0 from 4), Achille Cloete (1 from 3) and Colin Myburgh (9 from 12) succumbed to a combination of good bowling and poor shot selection as any hope of a close game sailed swiftly out the window.

Groot Drak were 102/8, with 22 overs still remaining when Craig McNaught joined Conrad at the crease to start picking up the pieces. The two managed a 59 run stand before Conrad was finally adjudged LBW for a hard-earned 70 from 59.

Angus Simmers, batting about 7 places below his usual spot, walked in at number 11 and looked in fine form as he carved two boundaries behind point in successive balls. Unfortunately Groot Drak’s skipper, Craig was clean bowled for 36 from 29 bringing the game to a close, leaving Angus stranded on 13 not out.

The fairy tale ending was not meant to be for the veteran Drak side, succumbing to the superior fitness and skill of the Oxford clan, losing by 167 runs in the 40th over.

After the comprehensive result, both teams gathered on the pitch for a beverage and Richard von Hoesslin’s ever-informative walk down memory lane. A few well-deserved fines were enjoyed in the shade before wishing Oxford all the best for the rest of their tour with a promise to be in better shape for a rematch down the line.

Match report by Craig McNaught

After a few years of fixtures being rained out, we finally got to meet the lads from Craig Matthews Band. The visitors were highly spirited and eager to bat when skipper Sam won the toss.

Things didn’t start terribly well for CMB, with Craig McNaught (2/12 from 4) getting rid of both opening batters and Johann Agenbag at the other end just as good with the new ball, recording figures of 1/11 from his 4 overs, including two maidens.

Fresh off a World Cup victory for the Proteas Over 40s, Pieter Booysen joined the attack and was, quite literally, unplayable. With steep bounce and genuine pace, conceding just 3 runs from his 2 overs, Pieter had to be removed from the attack prematurely to make way for Herman Fourie and Bruce Taylor before drinks.

Bruce started with a maiden, but deteriorated big time as he travelled at 8 an over, somehow picking up a wicket from a full toss that was spooned to mid-on for an easy catch. Pushing up the hill, Herman Fourie took a few deliveries to find his length as he offered a mix of offies and leggies to the middle order. A super catch behind the stumps from Jono Boulton and a leggie that went through the gate gave Harry 2 wickets from his 4 overs, while he conceded 27 runs.

Young Callum Woolley (1/20 from 4) was sublime after drinks as be bowled in very good areas and picked up a well deserved wicket. With the opposition in serious trouble at 8 down, the two wicket-keepers in the side, Jono Boulton and Mark Nel, were asked to bowl to the tail.

The plan back-fired with both part-timers claiming a wicket and brining the innings to a close in the 25th over. Craig Matthews Band had been bowled out for 132.

After the lunch break, the Booysen brothers were given the opportunity to open the batting for Groot Drak.

Albert Booysen (27 from 25) did his best to keep his brother on strike as Pieter put on a batting masterclass. Finding the fielder on only a few occasions, Pieter Booysen breezed his way to 51 from just 20 deliveries before retiring in the shade.

With the game firmly in the bag, Wessel Lourens (17* from 26) and Mark Nel (21* from 13) didn’t have a huge amount of work to do as they guided Groot Drak to victory in the 15th over.

The game may have been won, but the players were all keen for another knockabout, so a quick 10-over-per-innings match was organised, which was a fair deal tighter than the first game.

After all was said and done, both teams enjoyed a beverage on the pitch and then dished out fines in front of the clubhouse. Thanks to Sam and the rest of the CMB chaps for a lovely day – we look forward to seeing them all again very soon.

Man of the match: Pieter Booysen

Match report by Craig McNaught

Tuesday the 20th of Feb 2024, saw a bus load of enthusiastic veteran Aussie cricket players dropped at the Groot Drak main gate! The earliest fine for the day was allocated before anyone bowled a ball, the tour organiser Andrew had an early beer logged for not insisting the bus driver head up our shady entrance to deliver the well traveled passengers.

The skippers strode to the middle to discuss the toss and admire a magnificent deck prepared by club manager Daryll Cullinan. The discussion was a short one, highlighting the host’s tradition of taking to the field first which they gleefully did as the mercury pushed past 35 degrees.

Everyone bar three had a trundle, the exceptions were two shoulder injuries and the keeper who was enjoying throwing himself around in the heat under the helmet after the plethora of wides too much to give up the gloves. Exceptional bowlers were Colin Myburg, bowling 6 overs, 2 maidens, taking a wicket for just 13 runs. “Young Rob” Izzard was virtually faultless in his full spell of 7 going for just 28 runs and taking a wicket. While Angus “Gussie” Simmers in just his 4 overs went for only 13 runs, snatching 2 sticks and a rarity of a an empty wides column.

Outstanding grabs were were made by Wessel Lourens and Gus Simmers, breath taking stuff, more so the sound of escaping air as they hit the deck at full stretch.

The Aussies dug deep, keeping the score board ticking over, they put on 151/9 after 35, top scorer M. Ridge on a handsomely hit 19 retired.

Gourmet rolls, a plunge in our crystal clean pool and a refreshing amber nectar had many feeling that they might have been on a Southern Sun summer break. Our flag salute and warm brandy toast in the baking African sun was remarkably well received by the hardened Aussies before they strode out to take the field.

Our top order headed out to bat knowing they were only to face 20 balls each, something our visitors did. With just about everyone that batted getting into the runs; Wessel Lourens hit a neat 27 runs of his 20 balls, but Robbie Frater, calypso cricket inspired possibly from something in the lunch break lambasted the ball around to all corners. Hitting the match-winning runs with a crowd-motivated glorious six, he walked our man of the match with a Viv Richardsesque 35 off 20 balls.

Players and wives alike enjoyed Richard von Hoesslin’s historical talk about the club and surrounds. The concept of fines was explained and the reception somewhat vanilla until we got into the swing of things. The Australians loved it, peer fines became something akin to stand up comedy on the last day of an Oktoberfest and it was the Drakies that ironically had to eventually call the show to an end. Dinner and formalities were wonderful, Daryll the club manager was presented with the team’s drinking shirt which he immediately donned with pride, next he was presented with an Aussie Baggie green, this as I am aware is still on the coffee counter where it was left should anyone want one. Captain Jono Boulton was given a team shirt and a small square of folded yellow sandpaper, yet another round of drinks ordered and friendships for life were forged.
What a day of friendly cricket…!

Match report by Jonathan Boulton