It’s been many years since we were last visited by the lads from Kleinmond Cricket Club. They arrived at Groot Drak on Sunday, bright and early and immediately got stuck into a net session – something that we have not seen for many moons.

Kleinmond won the toss and decided to bat first in the most glorious of cricketing conditions. Morne Maritz (1/38 from 5) and Colin Myburgh (0/47 from 6) made a welcome return to the fray and were asked to open the bowling. To say the first over of the game was eventful would be an understatement – the initial five deliveries were as follows; wide, no ball that struck the wickets and went for four, wide, drop catch at mid wicket, punch down the ground for four. Not an ideal start.

The pair toiled hard, each going for nearly 8 an over, while a direct hit from Hugo Brink at mid on saw the opening stand broken.

Craig McNaught (1/17 from 5) and Bruce Taylor were brought on to slow the run rate. The two put the breaks on nicely, with Bruce bowling a top notch spell, grabbing 3 wickets for just 15 runs in his 5 overs. Kleinmond’s 4, 5 and 6 batters only managed one run between them, which took the pressure right off the fielding side, giving the Drakies the ability to experiment with the bowling somewhat.

Zak Barnard (2/9 from 5) was clearly not yet feeling the Christmas spirit and bowled a miserly spell that went for just 1.8 an over, claiming two scalps in the process. Backing up Zak was Nic Addison (0/20 from 3), returning to Groot Drak after a many-years-long hiatus.

Herman Fourie (1/18 from 3) and Hugo Brink (0/16 from 3) took care of the bulk of the death overs as Morne and Colin came back for an over each to tidy up the innings. A very impressive diving catch from Hugo Brink and a well taken caught-and-bowled from Morne Maritz ended a good fightback from Kleinmond, finishing up on 189 for 9 from their allotted 35 overs.

After the lunch interval, Quintin van der Westhuizen and Rikus Walters got the run chase underway. Quintin smashed a quick 20 from 11, while Rikus went about his work in a far more conservative manner.

Claude Chantler could only manage 7 from 5 before a great catch at cow corner brought Herman Fourie to the crease.

Herman (29 from 27) and Rikus put on a valuable fifty run stand just before the drinks interval. In at five and six, Craig McNaught (3 from 11) and Hugo Brink (1 from 3) struggled against some tricky bowling from Jooste, both being clean bowled cheaply.

The shining light for Groot Drak was, without a doubt Rikus Walters, who notched up yet another half-century for the club before finally departing on 64 from 73.

Things were getting a little tense, with Groot Drak 6 down for 140 in the 24th over, still needing 50 runs for victory.
Fortunately, Morne Maritz smashed a run-a-ball 24, with Colin Myburgh climbing into the bowlers and helping himself to 26* from 18 – two innings that could not have come at a better time for the Drakies.

Zak Barnard (6 from 7) had a chance to seal the deal, but was adjudged LBW with the scores level. Luckily, Colin kept his cool and saw the home team to a two wicket victory in the 31st over.

While seemingly comfortable in the end, the game was on a knife edge for most of the chase. Thanks to the Kleinmond chaps for making the trip out to visit us and for their fantastic company both on and off the field. We look forward to welcoming you all back next season!

Man of the Match: Rikus Walters
Lifesaver: Colin Myburgh/Morne Maritz

Match report by Craig McNaught

With the weather nothing short of glorious on Sunday, Groot Drak welcomed our new friends from Greenpoint Gullies back to the Boland for a chance at redemption after last year’s rather one-sided affair. The pitch looked like good value for batting and bowling, so after a brief discussion out in the middle, Gullies skipper, Louis Nel opted to bowl first.

The Drak openers both got good starts, but Jaco Swarts edged a length delivery during George van der Spuy’s first over, falling for 25 from 22. An uncharacteristic lapse in concentration from Alan Sherratt meant that the Drakies were in a spot of trouble with their number three batter back in the hutch without scoring.

Fortunately, Rikus Walters was just starting to fire when he was joined at the crease by Hugo Brink. Hugo rode his luck and rode it hard, as he was dropped no fewer than six times in his innings and survived two LBW shouts, earning him the mantle of ‘Cat Woman’ for having nine lives.

Rikus (48 from 57), just two runs short of what would have been a well-deserved fifty, was dismissed thanks to an impressive catch at midwicket by Frans Pieters. With a 75 run stand for the third wicket, Groot Drak were starting to claw their way back into the match as Craig McNaught came in at number 5.

Eventually, Hugo’s incredible lucky streak came to an end, being gunned LBW after a workmanlike 35 from 67 deliveries.

Morne Landman could only manage one speculative run before falling victim to Corne Rautenbach. The very next ball, Wessel van Deventer elected to leave one on leg stump and got clean bowled around his legs, setting up a hat-trick opportunity for the big seamer. Corne landed the next delivery on a good length and beat the bat of Christo van Deventer, making a mess of the stumps to complete a rare hat-trick! Corne took it in his stride and never mentioned the hat-trick again for the rest of the day.

With four overs left in the innings, Craig tried to force the issue and got caught on the long-off boundary for 25 from 27 deliveries – leaving Bruce Taylor (18* from 27) and Zak Barnard (14* from 10) to let loose on the bowlers and get Groot Drak just 2 short of 200 after their 35 overs.

The total felt par as the sun continued to bake the pitch, while the players enjoyed a quick lunch and a few refreshments.

One would have been excused for thinking that the format had changed from 35 overs a side to a timeless test after the break, with Dylan Adriaans (20 from 43) and Shahim Davids (1 from 16) in no rush whatsoever to achieve the nearly 6 runs per over required for victory. Calling it after four overs, Craig McNaught’s first spell went for just 6 runs, while Johann Agenbag bowled six on the trot for just 19 and picked up two wickets in the process.

Coming on first change, Zak Barnard (3/39 from 7) bowled seam up in tandem with Bruce Taylor’s leggies. Zak’s first two wickets came courtesy of spectacular catches from Wessel at mid-wicket. Bruce (2/52 from 7) managed to buy two important wickets, which further cemented Groot Drak’s position in the game. After 17 overs, Greenpoint Gullies were 58/6 and both teams could just about taste the cold draught beers waiting in the clubhouse. Corne Rautenbach and Nick Proudfoot, however, had different plans for the afternoon…

Corne put on a batting clinic, notching up a fifty at better than a run a ball. When he was joined by Nick Proudfoot, the two got properly stuck in and smashed boundary after boundary, putting Morne Landman (0/32 from 3) and Alan Sherratt (2/26 from 6) under serious pressure with the ball. At 27 overs, the Gullies had overtaken the required run rate and started cruising, while the bowlers kept taking punishment.

Returning for a rare second spell, Craig McNaught (1/26 from 7) removed Nick Proudfoot after a ridiculously fast-paced 52 from just 23 balls. Somehow, this was Nick’s first ever half century – and what a time to do it!

Corne continued his assault on the bowlers and everyone could sense that this one was going down to the wire. With four overs left in the game, the guys from Greenpoint needed just 21 runs with two wickets in hand.

Alan lobbed a friendly full toss to Corne (65 from 60) who obligingly bludgeoned it towards cow corner. Luckily for Groot Drak, before it sailed over the ropes, it was safely pouched by Craig McNaught to add a little more spice to an already thrilling contest.

Zak Barnard’s final over went for a massive 17 runs, thanks to Heiko Dresselhaus’ (16* from 10) slog-sweeps, swinging the pendulum back in the favour of the Gullies.

With four runs to play with in his last over, Alan stepped up and clean bowled George van der Spuy to secure a win for Groot Drak in a game that could have easily gone either way.

Almost 400 runs were scored in this match that will live long in our memories for all the right reasons. Some well-earned fines were duly dished out for 50s, hat-tricks, drop-catches, ducks and more. Cheers to the Gullies for treating us to their amazing company and a cracking game of friendly cricket.

Groot Drak vs Greenpoint Gullies Scorecard

Man of the Match: Rikus Walters/Corne Rautenbach
Match report by Craig McNaught

On Saturday the 5th of November, with a marathon of international rugby on offer in the bar, Groot Drak and Rondebosch Pumas elected for an early start to proceedings. Winning the toss, Groot Drak grabbed the opportunity to set a total on what looked like a fairly spicy pitch.

Quintin van der Westhuizen got going from ball one, with Rikus Walters (4 from 12) and Claude Chantler (8 from 17) both being castled cheaply with the new ball hooping around for the Pumas.

With two wickets down early on, Craig McNaught joined Quintin at the crease. The pair put on an 84 run partnership, with the batters each reaching half centuries at a decent lick. Quintin ultimately departed for a very well played 71 from 66, with Craig joining him in the clubhouse for 51 from 48.

Bruce Taylor, being elevated up the batting order, could only manage 8 from 14, while debutant, Ian Nel smashed a quickfire 40 from 30 to see Groot Drak over the magic 200 mark.

Zak ‘Snack’ Barnard (11 from 16) pitched in with a few valuable runs as Hugo Brink (0 from 2) was run out in the most spectacular fashion for a duck.
In at 9, Johann Agenbag was left stranded on 4 not out from 8 as Groot Drak posted a more-or-less par score of 227 for 8 after their 35 overs.

After a quick lunch, the boys from Rondebosch came out guns blazing, forcing Ian Nel (24/0 from 2) to be retired from the attack early on. Johann Agenbag took the new ball up the hill and had it on a string, dismantling the top order and pocketing 4 wickets for 37 in his 6 over spell.

Hugo Brink (0/48 from 4) came on first change and struggled to find a consistently good area (Possibly because of an injury that he alerted his captain about well in advance, which was promptly ignored).

At this stage, Rondebosch Pumas were well ahead of the required run rate and cruising towards what looked to be a comfortable victory, should they keep wickets in hand.

Zak Barnard (1/26 from 5) bowled in tandem with Bruce Taylor (3/22 from 6.1), both bowling superbly, putting the brakes on the scoring rate. Zak was unlucky to not pick up several more wickets, as no fewer than six catches were palmed during the run chase.

Pitching in with the bowling duties, Wessel (17/1 from 2) and Christo van Deventer (0/10 from 1) were a touch expensive, but some diving catches in the outfield from Rikus and Craig put Groot Drak in the driving seat for the first time in the game.

There was just one over from Claude Chantler (0/2 from 1) before Bruce came back for a single ball to pick up the 10th wicket and see Groot Drak victorious after a thrilling second innings.

Despite the 34 run margin, Rondebosch Pumas were ahead of the run rate for the entire match, but were bowled out for 193 in 27.1 overs.

A cold beverage was enjoyed on the pitch before a quick dip in the pool and a well-deserved fines meeting in the shade. Thanks to Rondebosch Pumas for what is always a great day out with exceptional company!

Scorecard: Rondebosch Pumas Nov 22

Man of the match: Johann Agenbag

Match report by Craig McNaught

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.