It’s been several years since our last game against our most distant FCA opposition. The weatherman predicted temperatures just south of 40 degrees for our fixture against Citrusdal, so the rates of sunscreen-application and beverage-consumption were bound to be high.

Winning a seemingly important toss, Groot Drak opted to bat first.

Seeing that it was in fact the Chairman’s birthday, Jono Boulton was given the option to open the batting with Nic Slabber on loan. It was a tough day at the office for Nic, who could only manage 11 from 17 before rolling his ankle and retiring hurt.

The opening bowlers were zippy and accurate, causing headaches for Jono Boulton (18 from 61) and debutant, Albert Booysen (16 from 32) in at number 3. The pair toiled hard for their runs, and unfortunately found the fielder more often than the gap.

Two more debutants for Groot Drak were Matt Butcher and Toby Marriott (of Cricket District fame). Both batters looked solid, but failed to get meaningful starts and fell cheaply, despite their impressive credentials.

Groot Drak were looking very scratchy at 62 for 5 after 24 overs, with the decision to bat first becoming questionable. Fortunately, Matt Hughes and his floppy hat strode in at number 6 and made the bowlers look like they were offering throw-downs. This was not the case for the remaining batters in the lineup.

While Matt smashed his way to a first Groot Drak fifty, Craig McNaught (0 from 6), Gavin Stander (10 from 15) and Bruce Taylor (7 from 13) tried to offer some tail-end support.

Citrusdal’s Dirk Thuynsman finished the innings by dismissing Nic Slabber (in his second chance at bat), followed by both van Deventers for golden ducks, resulting in a spectacular hat-trick to close things out.

Groot Drak had been bowled out for a dismal 137, leaving Mr Hughes stranded on 54 not out from 35 – the shining light in an otherwise ordinary display of batting… not to take anything away from the Citrusdal bowling performance, which was exceptional.

Lunch was largely taken in the pool with the mercury threatening 40 degrees at the innings break.

Being allowed to sub in young Liam Carruthers for the injured Nic Slabber buoyed the Groot Drak spirits somewhat as he fired down a barrage of unplayable deliveries with the new ball. His 5 over spell went for just 13 runs, but the wickets proved illusive. Pushing up the hill, Matt Hughes’ first over got punished, but he adjusted his length and was rewarded with a wicket in his 4th over thanks to a simple catch completed by Matt Butcher.

After the openers were done, the floodgates opened for Citrusdal. Skipper, Craig McNaught brought himself on for three disastrous overs that went for a mammoth 51 runs, including three consecutive sixes struck by Barry Tredoux, as he smashed a fifty and kept going.

Our usual remedy for either slowing the run rate or taking a few wickets is the golden arm of Bruce Taylor. That theory went out the window as he too got dispatched for 13 runs in his solitary over. Gav Stander (0/28 from 3.5) was, given the circumstances, fairly tidy, but still travelled at nearly 7 an over as Citrusdal cruised to victory in just the 17th over. Mercifully, all 22 bodies were able to cool off in the pool before slinking into the shade for a highly entertaining fines meeting in front of the clubhouse.

It was great to see Citrusdal at their very best, claiming what many believe to be their first victory against Groot Drak.

Congrats to; Matt Hughes for being Groot Drak Man of the Match and Lifesaver, Barry Tredoux on his unbeaten 81 and to Dirk Thuynsman on his man of the match award and hat-trick.

Match report by Craig McNaught

Our fixture against the Spin Doctors is one that all Groot Drak players look forward to immensely each year. Partly due to their fantastic banter, but also because they have been gracious enough to allow us to win in our last several meetings.

After tossing twice, Groot Drak opted to bat. The team, on paper anyway, was definitely stronger on the batting front.

Opening with Christo la Grange, Marko Combrink elected to shoulder arms to Martin Tucker’s first ball, which cannoned into his off stump. Christo ground out 15 off 29 before copping a ball in the groin and then capitulating the very next delivery.

Making a welcome return to the fray, MC Uys (35 from 41) joined Mark Nel (39 from 49) at the crease. The two batted sensibly and put on a 60-odd run stand for the third wicket, which wrestled some much-needed control back for the Drakies.

Sensing the chance to put on a good total, Alan Sherratt, got stuck in to the bowling with his partner in crime, Nick van Woerkom. Alan’s sweet timing provided him with multiple boundaries as he cruised to his half century at a good lick. Nick too started to accelerate, but ended up getting caught out in his efforts to move things along, being dismissed for a respectable 33 from 24.

Just a few balls later, Alan was clean bowled for an outstanding 71 from 57, leaving Craig McNaught (9* from 4) and Claude Chantler (3* from 5) to see off the last few deliveries.

After 35 overs, Groot Drak had posted 226 for 6, leaving the Doctors needing 6.45 an over for victory.

The run chase started particularly well for the visitors, with a tough chance going down early on in the piece. Nick van Woerkom (1/24 from 7) picked up his only wicket for the day with a well directed bouncer that found the edge of opener, Arno for 18.

For the next 15 overs, the bowlers took a fair amount of punishment. Claude Chantler (0/42 from 6), Zak Barnard (0/35 from 5), Craig McNaught (0/23 from 3) and Bruce Taylor (0/44 from 5) bore the brunt of it before Sean Petzer and Alan Sherratt came on to bowl.

While Sean’s economy rate left a bit to be desired, he was able to dismiss Mike Law for a solid 44 from 65. Andrew Sheals (41 from 32) gave a chance with his first ball, but knuckled down and capitalized on the mistake.

All the while, Rodney Brown at number 3 for the Doctors was stamping his authority on the game. He hardly gave away a chance and made the bowlers pay for any wayward bowling… of which there was plenty. Once Rodders had reached the 50 mark, he found another gear as the game swung massively in the visitors’ favour.

Alan (0/22 from 4) managed to control the run rate, but was probably turning it too much to take a wicket, while Sean picked up a second wicket to finish up on 2/35 from 4.

In the end, Rodney’s 93 not out with contributions from the rest of the top order proved too good for the Drakies. Spin Doctors won the game with 3 overs to spare, having only lost 3 wickets.

After the game, both teams put the draught machine to work and shared some well-earned fines in the shade. A lovely day turned into a hugely festive evening among mates, just the way it should be.

Man of the match: Rodney Brown and Alan Sherratt.

Match report by Craig McNaught

One could hardly pick a more predictable time of year to have bright sunshine and perfect cricket weather than January in the Boland, but the dreaded rain cloud icon was all over the various weather apps for Saturday the 7th. Covers were deployed on Friday evening in anticipation of rain overnight… which, naturally, didn’t materialize.

Our stand-in groundsman, Salmo Cilliers, prepared a beautiful green-top pitch, which promised some spice for the seam bowlers. When our Irish visitors arrived, they inspected the surface and were more than happy to honour the tradition of batting first.

The Ulster Grasshoppers got off to a sedate start, going at around 3 an over for the first 10. This was largely thanks to some super tidy bowling from the pacey openers, Liam Carruthers and Nick van Woerkom, who each picked up a wicket in their first spells.

Taking a chunk of pace off the ball, Craig McNaught and Ian Nel took the first-and-second change duties and both bowled a reasonable line and length to keep the run rate respectable during their seven over spells. Craig (3/28 from 7) managed three wickets, including a diving caught-and-bowled, while Ian (1/38 from 7) trapped Aaron Wright in front as he was looking to kick on.

At the second drinks break, the boys from Ulster were struggling along at 117/6 from 28 overs.

Zak Barnard (2/28 from 5) managed to grab two wickets with his seam-up deliveries, which included a first class leg-side stumping from Jono Boulton behind the sticks.

Towards the end of the innings, the ball was tossed to Mike Devine in an attempt to entice some risks from the batters. Suffice it to say that it was not Mike’s day with the leather, as his array of beamers and double-bouncers got dispatched at 9.5 per over in his 4 over spell. Fortunately, Nick van Woerkom was able to relieve Mike of his bowling woes to pick up the last two wickets of the innings, ending with highly respectable figures of 3/33 from 7.5. Liam Carruthers pitched in with one more over to be Groot Drak’s most economical bowler of the day with returns of 1/27 from 7.

The Irish had been skittled out for 198. With 40 overs to chase it down, most felt the score was about 50 runs light. With a formidable top 7, the Groot Drak lower order settled in to the bar to watch what would surely be stroll in the park. This, dear reader, is where it all went wrong.

Wessel Lourens (2), Conrad Schultz (1), Nick van Woerkom (6), Ian Nel (3 in two innings), Craig McNaught (0), Jono Boulton (1) and Mike Devine (1) could only manage 14 runs between them, which put enormous pressure on Mark Nel who was forced to watch despairingly as wickets were gifted to the opposition, while he stood man alone. Mention should be made of the contributions from Claude Chantler (18), Liam Carruthers (17) and Zak Barnard (14), but the only player to score meaningful runs was Mark Nel, who put on a classy 54 not out to save at least some blushes for Groot Drak.

As it was, the home side ended up being bowled out for just 139 in the 33rd over.

With the result out of the way, the almost 40 strong touring party from Ulster were treated to Richard von Hoesslin’s recollection of the club’s rich history before being ushered towards the clubhouse for a fines meeting. This was a highlight for many as the ladies and gents from Ulster showed their prowess across multiple alcohol groups before settling in for the spit braai and some red wine.

Despite the completely lopsided result, everyone had a blast before we were able to wish the Grasshoppers all the best with the rest of their tour.

Man of the match: Mark Nel & A. Shields

Match report by Craig McNaught