The stars aligned for Groot Drak and Scorpions as some last-minute changes-of-plan saw both teams without opposition for the weekend. This worked out extremely well as our scheduled game against Scorpions earlier in the season was cancelled.

After inspecting the pitch and winning the toss, Scorpions skipper, ‘Kloppies’, opted to bowl first in some pretty brutal Boland heat.

The Groot Drak openers put on a strong introductory stand before Quintin offered a simple caught and bowled chance, which saw him depart for his usual 40 runs.

Tim Whitfield went without troubling the scorers and brought Jono Boulton to the wicket to stabilize things.

Jono and Rikus settled into their work nicely, before Rikus fell just after drinks for a run-a-ball 52.

Alan Sherratt (18 from 15), Claude Chantler (16 from 21) and Charl Ackermann (8 from 7) all pitched in with some valuable runs in the latter stages of the innings, getting Groot Drak close to the 200 mark.

Herman Fourie joined Jono at the crease and bludgeoned a quick-fire 33* from 16, while Jono finished up with a very respectable 36* from 66. A solid team effort saw Groot Drak post a competitive total of 231 for 6 from their 35 overs.

With sunlight threatening to fade, both teams enjoyed a quick lunch and promptly got back on to the field.

Craig McNaught (0/8 from 3) opened the bowling with Bruce Taylor (0/20 from 7) and both set the tone with some ultra-economical bowling. Both bowlers were unlucky not to pick up a few wickets between them.

A sharp run-out from Charl Ackermann at backward point saw the end of the dangerous run-machine, Andre Geldenhuys for 13.

Alan Sherratt took the first-change responsibilities and gave a leg-spin masterclass, while taking 2 wickets for just 18 runs in his 7 overs. The second of his wickets saw Bruce Taylor in the covers take a spectacular diving catch to dismiss Leonard Willemse for a duck.

Claude Chantler picked up two wickets for 21 runs in his 5 over spell after drinks, which also included a great catch – this time from from Charl Ackermann, to see the back of Johan Klopper.

Scorpions number 4 bat, Dave Bakker (62*) got to a well-deserved half-century as wickets tumbled around him.

The death overs from Herman Fourie (0/21 from 5), Charl Ackermann (0/10 from 1) and Tim Whitfield (0/23 from 3) were good enough to see Groot Drak victorious by 93 runs at the end of the day.

Drinks on the pitch were followed by a fines session for the books, with the braais burning well into the night.
Thanks to Scorpions for making themselves available at short notice and for always putting on a great game, with a wonderful bunch of cricketers. We look forward to welcoming Scorpions back in January to settle the scores.

Man of the Match: Rikus Walters.

Match report by Craig McNaught

Match report by Rob Frater:

The weather Gods played along for a change and allowed us to play the 71st edition of GD Fathers & Sons vs Bishop U13A fixture. Our team was a healthy balance of youth and experience, including 10-year-old James Boulton at ‘wickey’ and many-year-old former SA Schools player, Francois Immelman.

As tradition dictates Bishops were sent in to bat. GD seamers, JP and Ruan kept things really tidy and Bishops were hovering along at a paltry 3 runs/over. 1st change spinner, JP kept the pressure on, although he was struggling to control the spin on the little 2 piece. A couple of dropped catches and “it’s been a long winter” overs ended up costing us 20 odd runs. The slow outfield and spring pitch meant that 144 was going to be a good total to chase.

After a quick boerie roll lunch break, we sent the Paarl Boys primary U13A openers out to face the music. JP played early and popped the easiest of catches to mid on to see Groot Drak 3/1. Our Paul Roos import, Ruan, swung some lusty blows to put us ahead of the run rate. After attempting another, he was clean bowled by medium pacer McLea. His departure ignited a batting collapse.
Spin twins, Horton (4 for 10 off 7) and Collis (1/14 off 6) frustrated our lads with some really tight stuff, inducing silly “give my wicket away” shots.
By the time the senior Corps arrived we were woefully behind on the scoring rate.
Apart from a couple of quickfire boundaries from Francois, there was nothing to write home about.
Yours truly and Jean Pierre closed out the innings on 90/9, a 54 run loss.
It was however a thoroughly enjoyable day.
Thanks to Murray and his Bishops boys and to all the parents who spoilt us with a delicious spread.

Groot Drak’s final game of the season was against an opposition that has not visited Pickstone Oval in many years – Kelvin Grove. Groot Drak were lucky to win the toss, as both captains had decided that it was a ‘bat first’ kind of day.

Quintin van der Westhuizen and Tim Whitfield opened the batting and put on a solid opening stand, before Quintin was adjudged LBW on 40.

Rikus Walters joined Tim at the crease as both batters notched up yet another 50 each for the season – Tim departing on 56 from 49 and Rikus contributing 58 from 54 as a very solid platform had been set for the middle order.

In at number 4, Joubert van Zyl smashed 31 from 20, while Claude Chantler and Bruce Taylor both ended their batting efforts for the season on ducks.

With a few overs to spare, Craig McNaught contributed 41 not out from 28, ably supported by Hugo Brink, who scored a run-a-ball 8 not out before the 35 overs were up.

With 257 on the board, it felt like a par total, as the wicket had offered a bit for both batters and bowlers.

At the innings break, with the flag at half-mast, Groot Drak paid tribute to ex-club-captain-and-chairman, Ian Laurenson, who sadly passed away just a few days prior. Thanks especially to Ken Lumb for sharing his heartfelt words and memories of one of the club’s great characters.

Opening the bowling, Joubert Kotze bowled a mixed bag of unplayable deliveries and buffet balls, as his seven overs cost 53 runs without a wicket. From the other end, Claude Chantler redeemed himself and only conceded 19 runs in his quota, but also without any success.

While Kelvin Grove started thing slowly, they kept all their wickets in hand until Sean Petzer (2/46 from 6) managed the breakthrough with his lucky-packet-array of right arm over. Michael Devine’s (0/34 from 6) off-spin created a few opportunities but couldn’t convert them into wickets.

In the latter overs, the bowlers started to take some pretty serious stick, while the visitors edged closer and closer to the total, with plenty of batters still to come. Taking the brunt of the punishment were Hugo Brink (1/38 from 5) and Bruce Taylor (1/29 from 3), who bowled better than their figures might suggest – taking a hiding from some clean hitting towards the close of play.

With just one over remaining, Tim Whitfield was asked to defend 21 runs in his six balls. It was a thrilling finish to a wonderful game of cricket, as Kelvin Grove fell just 5 runs short of the total.

After a civilized fines meeting and with the game constantly in the balance, it was a fitting end to another hugely enjoyable season as we look forward to seeing Tal and the Kelvin Grove lads again after the winter break.

View photos and videos of the day here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb4c1PzqHEA/

Match Report by Craig McNaught

On Sunday, the Groot Drak boys were ripped out of their comfort zone to play a rare away game against the Pumas at the spectacular Rondebosch Oval. After quickly assessing the conditions, Groot Drak was given the opportunity to bat first on the relatively small, but beautifully manicured ground.

A new face in the Groot Drak setup, was Greg Olyn, who ably opened the batting with Quintin van der Westhuizen. Quintin got off to a flyer and took particular fancy to the rather close square leg boundary, as he interrupted the residents’ quiet Sunday afternoon with a barrage of sixes on to the surrounding rooves, patios and gardens.

The openers managed a 100 run stand before Greg (30 from 34) departed just one ball before the 12 over drinks break.

Cassie Carstens looked good for his 23 from 26 before being dismissed in the most unfortunate manner – losing the grip on his bat and knocking over his stumps in the process. In his third game for Groot Drak, Joubert van Zyl was rock solid at number 4 and posted 38 from 37, but was unfortunately run out while pushing for a second run.

After his last few innings saw him out in the 40s, Quintin finally managed a half-century and showed no signs of slowing down as Claude Chantler joined him at the crease. Quintin was finally dismissed playing one shot too many, getting caught behind square leg just 5 runs short of what would have been a well-deserved century. Quintin carted six sixes and ten fours in his stand of 95.

Starting cautiously, Claude pushed and prodded ones and twos to start and opened up later on in his innings. Having to deal with a colossal 37 deliveries, Claude had pushed his body to its breaking point and retired his innings and his dignity on 42 before being helped off the field and into the air-conditioned bar area.

Tim Whitfield (37* from 12) and Craig McNaught (10* from 6) were tasked with seeing off the last 3 overs of the innings. Tim smashed five sixes, including one that will only be recovered from Athlone Stadium in the coming days.

With 35 overs done, Groot Drak had set a target of 320 at a shade over 9 runs per over.

Having to be wrestled away from the clubhouse after lunch, both teams set out in the heat for the the run chase.

Rondesboch Pumas lost two early wickets as Craig McNaught (3/23 from 4) picked up Grant and then Gerhard in his first over, thanks largely to a superb one-handed diving catch in the slips from Angus Simmers.

At the other end, Tim Whitfield (1/28 from 5) knocked over Tariq Benjamin, who was on the charge and looking dangerous.

The spin twins, Angus Simmers (1/10 from 2) and Bruce Taylor (2/34 from 5) took the first-change duties. Angus bowled in great areas, but removed himself from the attack, citing a calf strain. Bruce bowled a mixed bag that produced -boundaries-a-plenty, but he found the zone in his final over, nabbing one wicket via a sharp stumping and another from a simple catch at first slip.

Reverting back to pace, Hugo Brink bowled arguably his best spell ever for Groot Drak. Landing multiple unplayable in-swingers, Hugo chimed in with two for 10 from his 4 overs. With only one wicket left to get, Johann Agenbag was unfortunate to only be required for 6 balls, but that’s all it took to uproot the stumps of Mo Pillay before the Pumas were bowled out for a fateful Nelson; 111 after 21 overs.

After enjoying the lovely amenities at the Rondebosch Oval, both teams were treated to some gourmet boerie rolls and some civilized fines. Thanks to Garth and the Pumas for their cracking hospitality and a wonderful day of cricket in a stunning setting.

Match report by Craig McNaught

Match Stats