Breed and co put Claremont in the driving seat

By
Staff Reporter
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Claremont Cricket club’s Josh Breed swings into action during his side’s WPCA Premier League clash against Ottoman, at the weekend. Breed was in fine form, taking 5/23 in 9.4 overs to help restrict the home side to 129 in 38.2 overs. Picture: Mark Ward

Mark Ward

Claremont’s bid to clinch the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) Premier League reaches a crucial stage with the University of the Western Cape in their sights on Saturday.

With only six games left, Claremont find themselves in third spot on the league table on 58 points (same as second placed Durbanville) after 16 games, with UWC on 53 points in fourth place. Western Province Cricket Club tops the log with 62 points.

For Claremont, it’s all to play against UWC at the Bellville South campus, after beating Ottoman by five wickets at the Hassan Howa Oval in Surrey Estate on Saturday.

Left arm spinner Josh Breed was in fine form against Ottoman, taking 5/23 in 9.4 overs to help his side restrict the home side to 129 in 38.2 overs.

Kyle Pluke (2/16), Robin Kriel (1/15) and Harlan Greig (1/29) were the other wicket takers.

Harry Finch top scored with 48 in the run chase with Breed adding 23 not out to cap a good all-round performance.

Ottoman simply could not get going with the bat and were bowled out for 129 in 38.4 overs after electing to bat in the hot conditions. Lefthand batsman Taahir Samaai was the only batter who could manage a decent score with his 29 off 71 balls.

Ottoman batsman Taahir Samaai on his way to knocking 29 off 71 balls against Claremont, at the weekend. Picture: Mark Ward

Ottoman player/coach Taariq Berhardien has now called on his players to show more resilience and commitment as their season in the Western Province Premier League heads for the home straight with only six games remaining.

Ottoman player/coach Taariq Berhardien. Picture: Mark Ward

Berhardien, brother of former Protea stalwart Farhaan Behardien, is also under no illusion of the task ahead but remains buoyant that his side will retain its status having been promoted to the elite competition this season.

“I’m of the opinion that if we win four out the six games we can do it. You must also remember that we have brought in about six young players this season and they are all progressing well. So in order for us to build on these small successes we need young players to take us forward,” said Behardien.

Meanwhile, UWC’s title aspirations suffered a setback when they went down to Green Point by 77 runs.

The students, however, bounced back on Sunday when they beat Cape Town by 10 wickets after restricting the home side in Plumstead to 91 runs. The rising left arm spinner Yves Kamanzi took a fiver 5/35 in nine overs.

Ottoman’s Yazeed Arendse tries to slip one past Claremont wicketkeeper Harry Finch’s quick reflexes. Picture: Mark Ward

Results:

Saturday

Green Point v UWC: Green Point won by 77 runs

Bellville v Cape Town: Cape Town won by 125 runs

Kraaifontein v Brackenfell: Kraaifontein won by seven (7) wickets;

Ottoman v Claremont:

Claremont won by five (5) wickets

Rondebosch v Durbanville: Durbanville won by none (9) wickets)

Rylands v WP Cricket Club: WP Cricket Club won by four (4) wickets

Sunday

Cape Town v UWC: UWC won by 10 wickets

Fixtures: Cape Town v Green Point; Bellville vs Kraaifontein; Ottoman v Brackenfell; Rondebosch v Rylands; UWC v Claremont; WP Cricket Club v Durbanville

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