A combination of good batting and bowling played a crucial role in Kraaifontein Cricket Club’s victory over Milnerton Cricket Club, in a Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) Premier League one-day clash, in Kraaifontein, on Saturday.
The homeside won the toss and sent the visitors to bat first. Milnerton started off slowly with the bat. The pressure began to mount when they lost the wickets of the opening batsmen, Dillon Smit and Darren Butler.
Kuda Samunderu (22 runs) and Matthew Snyman (44 runs), helped Milnerton to build some momentum facing the new ball, but they were soon dismissed for a stumping and a catch, to the bowling of Arno Pekeur of Kraaifontein.
Some good individual batting by tailenders Keegan Fortune (23 runs) and Lukanyo Metu (20 runs) helped Milnerton reach 183/8 in 50 overs. Fortune, however, was dismissed for a catch by the bowling of allrounder, Malwande Zamo.
Some good fielding by Kraaifontein saw Pekeur amass 4/23 runs in 10 overs, while Zamo picked up 3/26 runs in nine overs.
After lunch, Kraaifontein picked up proceedings with the bat. Opening batsmen Elliot Hamilton scored 25 runs. Zamo scored 31 runs. Dale Campbell scored an unbeaten 20 runs in the middle order.
Best run-scorer was third-placed batsman, Darryl Losper, who made an unbeaten 80 runs to help Kraaifontein reach 186/3 in 48.3 overs.
Kraaifontein captain, Garth Madden said Losper showed great signs of maturity and the win would boost the teams morale going into the weekend’s doubleheader.
“As a captain I am very proud of the team and how we went about with the business. Now it is up to us to keep our foot on the ground heading into the next game,” said Madden.
The seven-wicket victory moves Kraaifontein to fifth spot with four wins and two losses in six games. Kraaifontein sit on 16 points, three points behind fourth-placed Milnerton – four wins, two losses and three bonus points in six games.
This coming weekend will be a double clash for Kraaifontein. On Saturday they will host second-placed Western Province Cricket Club. On Sunday, they will play against third-placed Cape Town Cricket Club in the southern suburbs.
Meanwhile, Milnerton will look to cause an upset when they tackle first-placed Rondebosch, in Milnerton, on Saturday.
Rondebosch, which is the team to beat this season, are on 27 points after winning all six of the WPCA Premier League one-day opening games.
