PAARL CRICKET CLUB AT THE TOP OF THE LOG
Paarl easily retained their position at the top of Boland’s Premier league log at the PCG on Saturday, when they beat Wellington CC by 31 runs. This was the home team’s 4th successive victory, while Wellington suffered their second defeat in 2 weeks.
With Paarl on 163/5 after 40 overs, the visitors fancied their chances of causing an upset, but a superb captain’s innings by Waylain September, took his team to 221 in their allotted 50 overs. His 6th wicket partnership of 70 runs with Edrique Cook (35, 3×4) took the wind out of the visitors’ sails, with September hitting 5 fours and a six. Wellington’s Tom Seales (3/39) and Roche Du Plooy (3/31) boasted with the best bowling figures, but their other bowlers were made to toil in the midday sun.
Opening batsman Junaid Cassiem (50) started off briskly with 9 boundaries for Wellington, but their onslaught ended when he was stumped after being bamboozled by a delivery from September. Bjorn Hollenbach (39), Tiaan Cloete (31) and Garth Abrahams (43 not out) occupied the crease for long periods, but the lack of boundaries caused them to slump to 171/7 after 45 overs. In their attempts to go for a victory, they allowed Paarl’s spinners to shine. Byron Cook (4/41), Waylain September (3/22) and Edrique Cook (1/27) bowled superbly to dismiss Wellington for 190 in the 49th over.
A disappointed Byron Walters leaves the field after scoring a courageous 99 runs for Paarl B.
Paarl travel to Piketberg next Saturday, where they will have to pull out all the stops to retain their unbeaten record in the competition.