Saturday the 21st of January 2017 was Groot Drak’s first match of the New Year. 

Having had a great first-half of the season, this fixture against Villiersdorp was one of only 2 matches we had lost last year (narrowly on a rain-affected home wicket), so the lads headed over the pass eagerly to set things right. 

We lost the toss and headed out to field in the heat, our bowling attack was probably the strongest in a very, vey long time with a blistering pace onslaught of Morne Maritz, Marnitz Phister, Joubert Kotze and Craig McNaught. 

The opposition pushed and prodded and were 68 for 4 at drinks. Our usual tactic of then bringing on the spin from both ends was just too much of a carrot to dangle and the batsmen went out in a procession of exceptional catching and fielding. 

Our total to chase was 143 and an outstanding opening partnership by MC Uys and Gary “Gazza” Seaman, put us in the driving seat, the highlights being MC’s 44 off 42 balls and Gert Uys with 32 off 35 balls. 

The runs were scored in just 23 overs allowing the sick, aged and infirm to enjoy a cold beer in the shade. 

Victory and fines were indeed sweet, the game was played in a magnificent spirit and we look forward to a similar performance this weekend. 

MATCH REPORT FROM JONO BOULTON

On Saturday the 10th of December, the lads from Citrusdal Cricket Club paid Groot Drak a visit for the last game of 2016. With some persistent rain the day before, it looked like the game might be called off, but both sides were adamant to get another match in before the end of the year. 

Groot Drak took to the field with some pretty warm weather about – opening the bowling with Morne Maritz and Colin Myburgh. Both openers did a great holding job and took two wickets a piece – Myburgh finishing with very respectable figures of 2/25 off 7 and Maritz ending up with a remarkable 2/6 off 7, including 3 maidens. 

The middle overs of the innings saw club-debutant Nick Boulton (0/24 off 4) and Craig McNaught (1/27 off 7) leak some runs to give Citrusdal a slight advantage at the drinks break after several catches went to ground. 

After drinks, skipper Bruce Taylor (2/42 off 6) brought himself in to the attack, and, while conceding plenty of runs, took two vital wickets, dismissing both of Citrusdal’s top scorers. 

Helped by Niel van Tonder (1/31 off 5) and Christo la Grange (0/11 off 1), Citrusdal ended on 166/8 after their 35 overs. 

Groot Drak required a solid start as the brothers Boulton were charged with opening the batting. They were both given life-lines as a catch off either being put down early on. Those missed opportunities proved very costly as the brothers put on a magnificent opening stand of 122, with Nick being run out for 50 off 49 and Jono reaching 56 off 75. 

After the departure of both Boultons, Andrew McNaught (14* off 13) and Gary Seaman (22 off 18) saw off the remaining runs to guide the home team to a comfortable victory in the end; seeing Groot Drak win by 11.5 overs and 7 wickets. 

Both teams gathered in front of the clubhouse for a severe fines meeting that was harsh on some poor fielding and rewarded a number of excellent innings. Citrusdal gave a lot of ‘pointers’ to the local boys on how to conduct a proper fines meeting before heading off to man the braais and to support the bar well in to the night. 

A lot of new friends were made on the day, with the game being played in a wonderful spirit and both teams thoroughly enjoying the post-match festivities. While Groot Drak will go in to the New Year with the taste of victory still palpable, we expect a tough return match when the two teams meet again in Citrusdal in the middle of summer 2017! 

MATCH REPORT FROM CRAIG MCNAUGHT

On Sunday the 4th of December, Groot Drak played host to long-standing friends of the club, Western Province CC in the Alfie Cupido Memorial Game. A moment of silence was observed by both teams in remembrance of Groot Drak’s ex-captain who died suddenly on the field when these two teams met five years ago. 

Honouring tradition, Groot Drak took to the field first, opening the bowling with debutant Van Zyl de Wet (1/10 off 5) and Joubert Kotze (0/17 off 5). Some accurate pace-bowling from the two seamers meant that runs were hard to come by, which forced some loose shots and provided a few half-chances early on. 

The openers were replaced by Kudu Kotze (2/17 off 7) and Craig McNaught (1/19 off 6), who bowled a tight line until the drinks break. Whether it was something in the Oros or the heat of the African sun, the bowling radar malfunctioned somewhat and catching the ball became a challenge for the fielders. 

The spinners, Jaco ‘Beesboer’ Swarts (0/18 off 4) and Angus ‘Dr. Evil’ Simmers (2/23 off 5), aided by skipper Bruce ‘Olieboor’ Taylor (1/9 off 3) did their job by frustrating the opposition and claiming some valuable wickets. 

Western Province ended up with 118 runs from their 35 overs as both teams took a welcome lunch-break and a refreshing dip in the pool. 

Aggressive from ball one, Groot Drak’ opening batsmen, Jaco Swarts and Joubert Kotze (8) gave the home team a solid platform, with plenty of batting to come. Angus Simmers was instrumental in seeing the shine off the ball and put on a vital 12 off 25 before being adjudged LBW. Another debutant, Tiaan Herbst (8) looked good, but got out cheaply as he made way for Morne Landman, who made a welcome comeback after a long, injury-induced absence – scoring 16 runs from 14. 

Joined at the crease by Jono Boulton(2*), Jaco Swarts blasted an unbeaten man-of-match-winning 59 off 72 balls as Groot Drak comfortably chased down the required runs with 12 overs to spare. 

A great day out was reflected on during an extended fines meeting, seeing a handful of exceptional performances celebrated and some less-than-exceptional performances punished on both sides. We want to apologise on behalve of out Captain Bruce Taylor that repeatedly referred to Neil Watson as Ken and also the WPCC as CTCC. 

The two debutants, Van Zyl and Tiaan, were officially welcomed to the club via the initiation ceremony, introducing even more youth and talent to a wonderful group of cricketers. 

Both teams convened around the braais and solved the world’s problems over a few frosties and in good company. 

A wonderful day of cricket and camaraderie was enjoyed by all. We eagerly look forward to meeting up with Western Province Cricket Club in the New Year when we take them on in Cape Town. 

MATCH REPORT FROM CRAIG MCNAUGHT

The Groot Drak squad arrived punctually at the Boon Wallace Oval in Plumstead on Sunday 27th of November 2016, only to find out that the air-conditioning had broken! It was unanimous, regardless of the state of the pitch ( which was enough to make us all appreciate our amazing home-ground facilities all the more ) we knew we had to win the toss, and put the opposition into to field in the sweltering heat. Skipper, Bruce Taylor, unfortunately did not have lady luck on his side and it was chasing leather for us through the midday heat. 

Cape Town Cricket Club as always fielded an extremely experienced side with many familiar faces. They batted all the way down and everyone contributed, no one more so than MC Laubscher who smashed an impressive 71 of 58 balls before being stumped, only because heat exhaustion had set in, thank goodness…! At one stage we thought we were staring down the barrel of a score of well over 200. 

Some excellent bowling and catching at the death restricted the opposition to 193 for 8 after 35. 

The chase was laboured, but young DJ Kotze steered the ship on, refusing to give away his wicket ( 40 runs off 78 ) suddenly there was a sniff as runs accumulated. Young wicket keeper/batsman Jono Boulton received an unlucky LBW decision while cruising along nicely ( 25 off 29) , to make way for the Pocket-sized Ninja. Roydon Adams set about the bowlers like a man possessed, smashing a swashbuckling ( 41* off 19 ) and into a nail biting finish, needing 8 off the last over with Ryan Stemmet falling just short with an excellent effort of 11 off 12. Losing by just 8 runs was a magnificent team effort showing nothing short of pure grit and guts from every single player. 

Fines were excellent fun, hosted by CTCC, each player being paired with his opposite number in a beer down down and needless to say Groot Drak reigned supreme, obliterating the opposition. We can’t wait for the rematch and winning the double header next year. 

MATCH REPORT FROM JONO BOULTON

On Sunday the 20th of November, Groot Drakenstein hosted Coastal Strikers for the home team’s fourth league game of the season. Both teams arrived at the ground looking fit and energetic for what promised to be a great day of cricket and sunshine. 

As per the long-standing tradition, the visitors were asked to bat on an expertly-prepared pitch by the groundsman and barkeep, Vitalis. 

A nervous start from the opening batters saw very few runs on the board before the first wicket fell. The opening bowlers, Roydon Adams (0/13 off 4) and Craig McNaught (2/11 off 6), were assisted by the breeze in getting some lateral movement, not allowing the batsmen to free their arms during the day’s opening spell. Two new inductees to the club, Hennie Bosman (0/10 off 5) and Devin Whelan (1/9 off 2) were asked to replace the openers and kept the batsmen under constant pressure, forcing a loose shot and a spectacular caught-and-bowled effort from debutant, Whelan. 

At drinks, Coastal Strikers had only managed 48 runs, but had plenty of wickets in hand – crucial when looking to accelerate and post a big total at Groot Drak. The spinners, Jaco Swarts (2/10 off 6) and Angus Simmers, bowled in tandem to continue the strangle, while aided tremendously by an inspired fielding unit. Two remarkable, diving catches at cow corner from Roydon Adams (both worthy nominees for ‘catch-of-the-season’ thus far), allowed Simmers to bag a hugely influential five-wicket-haul, finishing with 5 for 16 off 6. This was followed by some smart work behind the sticks from Jono Boulton, resulting in two stumpings, as the visiting side collapsed to 78 runs all out. 

It looked like an achievable target, but, as we’ve seen at the club many times before, any runs on the board require good batting to be chased down. 

After a short lunch break, Gary Seaman (12 off 16) and Jaco Swarts (28 retired off 16) put on a blistering opening stand, which caused the visiting team to chop-and-change their bowlers, preventing any chance of settling down. Mark Kirstein (24 off 17), watched by Andrew McNaught (4 off 12), played some great cricket shots to end the game with a convincing win for Drak, who reached the 78 run target in just the 10th over. 

Although the game was ended somewhat prematurely, a deserved drink on the pitch and a swim after the game had both teams ready to face the inevitably gruelling fines meeting in good spirits. There was plenty of give-and-take during fines, before Hennie Bosman and Devin Whelan were officially welcomed to Groot Drak via the club’s induction ritual, which is equal parts dizzying and entertaining. 

The braais burned well in to the evening, while both teams celebrated a game of cricket that was played in a wonderful spirit by 22 ambassadors of the sport! 

MATCH REPORT FROM CRAIG MCNAUGHT