It’s never a dull affair when we are visited by our friends the Spin Doctors. After winning the toss, it was not with a great deal of confidence that Groot Drak elected to bat first.

In just the 7th ball of the day, Rikus Walters managed to nick off down the leg side to earn himself his first Golden Duck for Drak. Joined by Ian Nel, Quintin van der Westhuizen was just getting started. The two looked good before Ian was caught out on a well-played 28 from 29 deliveries.

Craig McNaught (10 from 11), Claude Chantler (6 from 5), Colin Myburgh (4 from 11) and Zak Barnard (5 from 12) couldn’t contribute significant runs and put the home team in some serious trouble early on.

Fortunately, Quintin was seeing it like a beach ball as Jono Boulton stood resolutely by his side and refused to offer up any chances. Quintin smashed his way to 50 and then, what felt like moments later, found himself on 100 not out with several overs still to go. Groot Drak were back on track for a respectable total.

Jono (25 from 42 not out) and Quintin carried on their merry way until the last over. With just one ball left in the innings, Quintin was on 148, needing two runs for the almost unthinkable individual score of 150 in a 35 over game. Calm as a Hindu cow, Quintin guided the ball past the keeper to the boundary, bringing up his ton-and-a-half in emphatic fashion. Quintin carried his bat, remaining unbeaten on 152* from just 98 balls. Thanks largely to his efforts, Groot Drak posted exactly 250 runs.

Having not had a chance to bat, the young and energetic Liam Carruthers made his welcome return to Groot Drak by opening the bowling with Colin Myburgh. Colin took three wickets for 21 runs and had to be removed from the attack after only 3 overs. Liam from the other end posted returns of 1 for 22 in his 4 over spell. A run out from Claude Chantler saw the Doctors struggling on 29 for 5 after 6 overs.

The plan to bring on Bruce Taylor to donate a few runs backfired in spectacular fashion. Bruce conceded just 13 runs in his 7 over spell, at an economy rate of 1.8, while nabbing two wickets in the process. From the other end, Hugo Brink had a few GPS-related issues and tested Jono Boulton’s agility behind the stumps. Nevertheless, his efforts earned him two wickets for 42 runs in his full quota of overs, including the wicket of Kurt (35 runs), who was offering some staunch resistance in the latter overs.

Wanting to get Rikus Walters involved in the action, he was tossed the ball in an attempt to wrap up the last wicket. A long hop above the wickets was the eventual demise of ‘Judge’, who smashed his own stumps out of the ground to end the game. Spin Doctors were bowled out for 95.

The result was soon forgotten as both teams assembled outside the clubhouse on a perfect summer evening in the winelands. A few well-deserved beverages were dished out before the Doctors headed back home. Thanks to Rodney and the lads for a hugely enjoyable day!

Man of the match: Quintin van der Westhuizen

Twenty two very happy cricketers arrived at Pickstone Oval on Sunday. The reason? Both Western Province Cricket Club and Groot Drak had been let down at short notice and were practically resigned to having a bye this weekend. Luckily we were able to get in touch at the last minute to scramble a fixture.

After both captains had assessed the situation out in the middle, Groot Drak was very kindly offered the opportunity to bat first on what everyone agreed was a pitch built for runs. Big runs.

Making his debut for Groot Drak, YouTube star, Gareth Grant of Can You Cricket, along with Quintin van der Westhuizen, opened the batting. The pair got off to an absolute flier, dealing almost exclusively in boundaries. Quinny notched up his umpteenth half century for the club, scoring 56 from only 34 balls. Gareth continued with his classy knock as Rikus Walters entered the fray.

In typical Ricky fashion, his innings started slowly, with only 2 runs to his name after 14 balls. From there he opened up and freed his arms to avoid any unnecessary running between the wickets. Gareth showed off all his experience by dispatching the loose deliveries and opting to leave anything that might threaten his outside edge. At drinks, the batters looked set and had the home side well poised at 127/1 after 17 overs.

Rikus went to his fifty shortly after the break and, even though he just about depleted the bar’s Powerade stocks, he showed no signs that he was done scoring runs on one of the flattest tracks ever seen at Groot Drak.

Picking up his scoring rate, Gareth too went to a well-deserved half century in good time. A sharp stumping saw Gareth depart for 74 from 64 balls.

In at number 4, Tim Whitfield pitched in with a handy 20 from 14 before being clean bowled by young speedster, Haydn.

Rikus converted his 50 to 100 rather smartly as any balls near the slot took some finding in the long grass on the other side of the boundary rope.

With only a few overs left, Claude Chantler (6 from 8) and Craig McNaught (2 not out from 4) tried to give Rikus the strike. Ending proceedings with a superbly played 122 not out from 99 balls, Rikus had spearheaded a batting display that saw Groot Drak post 308 for 4 from their 35 overs. Even though the required run rate was sitting at 8.8 an over, it was very clear that the pitch still had plenty of runs to give on the day.

After the lunch break, opening bowlers Craig McNaught (1/44 from 5) and Tim Whitfield (1/32 from 5) took a bit of tap early on. Nick Slabber was the main aggressor, being dismissed just 6 short of a half century.

Being introduced earlier than anticipated, Bruce Taylor (2/53 from 7) needed only 2 deliveries to claim his first victim. Deciding that taking the pace off the ball was the best strategy, Quintin van der Westhuizen joined the attack alongside The Bruce. Perhaps a lapse in judgement from the skipper or maybe a ploy to produce a tight game, Quintin (0/72 from 6) received the sunburnt palate award, being manhandled at 12 runs per over during his spell.

After drinks, Hugo Brink (0/40 from 5) and Zak Barnard (0/23 from 3) also took some punishment as WPCC found themselves 122 for 3 after 17 – just 5 runs off the pace.

The boundaries started to rain down as Louis Koen and Haydn capitalized on the gorgeous batting conditions and the fairly average bowling. With 7 overs left in the game, WPCC needed 70 runs to win, with 6 wickets in hand.

Having to just about be dragged on to bowl, Claude Chantler removed Louis with his first ball and picked up Trevor Pape a few balls later. Hayden was still going strong as he smashed a blistering century from 40 odd balls.

Craig reluctantly rejoined the attack, having to push up the hill with just two overs remaining in the game. Playing one big shot too many, Hayden was finally dismissed thanks to a solid catch in the outfield from Gareth Grant at cow corner.

With things finally looking comfortable, Wessel van Deventer (0/5 from 1) was asked to bowl the final over and managed to end up as the most economical bowler for Groot Drak, securing a 22 run victory for the home side.

A mammoth 594 runs had been scored in 70 overs. Bodies were sore, but spirits were high, as all the players took a moment to soak up the incredible atmosphere after another thrilling run chase.

A few frosty beverages were enjoyed on the pitch, before well-deserved fines were dished out in the shade of the clubhouse.
Thanks to our friends at Western Province Cricket Club for making the journey and for delivering an epic day of cricket and laughs. We look forward to round two in a few days!

Man of the Match: Rikus Walters

Match report by Craig McNaught

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