Rondebosch in the driving seat against Rylands
Rondebosch's Blake Beining sending a delivery against Rylands during a Western Province Cricket Association Premier League match at the Terry Eksteen Oval on Saturday.
Image: Mark Ward
IT'S still early days and only five games into the campaign, Rondebosch kept up the pressure on early pacesetters, Western Province Cricket Club, while Claremont suffered yet another disappointing Premier League.
After sending Rylands into bat home side Rondebosch marched to an eight-wicket win over Rylands, with opener Travis Norris with a fine knock of 74 from 80 deliveries and captain Lenert Van Wyk (63) leading from the front. After opener Luc Benkenstein (13) lost his wicket with only 16 runs on the board, Norris and van Wyk set the homeside on the victory path with an industrious second-wicket 139-run partnership. Van Wyk's innings included five boundaries, 64, and three sixes.
Rondebosch's Liam Oosthuizen swings into action in a Western Province Premier League match against Rylands at the Terry Eksteen Oval, on Saturday.
Image: Mark Ward
Earlier, Rondebosch bowlers restricted Rylands to 187/7 in their allotted 50 overs with Cameron Fraser taking 3/36 in his 10 overs, while left-arm medium pace Wiehan van der Merwe took 2/20.
Tom Newby, who was caught by wicket keeper Michael Appolis, who took a good catch, having run 30 meters and took the catch, facing the boundary off the bowling of Blake Beining.
Rondebosch, who won the Premier League during 2023-24, now occupies second spot on the table with 18 points while Western Province Cricket Club, who also has 18, claims top spot with a better net run rate.
Rondebosch wickekeeper Michael Appolis, wicketkeeper keeps his eye on the ball to take a brilliant catch against during his side's WPCA Premier League fixture against Rylands.
Image: Mark Ward
But in Contantia, it might not be panic stations but concern indeed after Claremont went down fighting by 51 runs to Green Point and now occupies 11th spot in the 12-team competition. Hardly the place on the log for a team that won the league title in the 2022/2023 season.
Having won the toss and electing to bat at the Green Point Oval to field, things looked promising when they held the home side captive on 117/7 with spinner Harlan Greig taking 6/57 in nine overs. But Green Point somewhat found an escape route to end on 201, thanks mainly to fine batting performance from Luke Holland, who notched up 70 runs from 76 deliveries. Claremont was disappointingly bowled out for 150 in 42.3 overs. Liam Hendrickse top-scored with 30.
Other results: Western Pr3ovince Cricket Club beat Victoria by 6 wickets; UWC beat Ottoman by 106 runs; Durbanville beat Bellville 5 wickets