T20 Champions Westville hoped to continue their unbeaten domestic season with a win over Northwood who had already beaten Hilton and Michaelhouse
The match played at Northwood on Saturday 16 February was reduced to 40 overs due to rain. Northwood won the toss and batted first losing their first wicket in the 6th over when Du Plessis was bowled by Simon Von Staden. Nazeer Jaffer was the next man in, but his stand only lasted 10 balls due to some great bowling by Nick Pentz.
Northwood were unable to pick up any momentum as wickets started falling at regular intervals. The Westville bowlers took no prisoners as they bowled out Northwood for 106 in 37.2 overs. Luke Schlemmer, the pick of the Westville attack, recorded figures of 4 wickets for 8 runs at an economy of 1 run per over. In his 8 over spell, 7 maidens were bowled with all 8 runs coming off 1 over.
Northwood faced a daunting task for a win having set Westville’s target at a low 107. The early wickets of Jason Oakes and Nick Pentz gave hope to the Northwood side, but Schlemmer was the next man in and after a stellar day with the ball, he and Bruce Kerr got the Westville innings back on track with a 71 run partnership. Westville eventually secured the victory in the 24th over.
An impressive victory by Westville over Northwood was highlighted by Schlemmer’s performance with both bat and ball.
Captain, Luke Schlemmer in action
In the only other cricket matches on the day the Westville U15A’s beat Northwood by 6 wickets with Sakhile Xaba taking 3 for 36 and Dylan Beavan scoring 47 runs. The Westville U14A’s went cheaply having been bowled out for 111 runs with Carl Jairaj scoring 44 runs. Northwood looked like they were winning the game and were 58 for 1 at one stage. The Westville bowling attack, however, stuck to their guns and eventually bowled Northwood out for 93 runs winning the game by 18 runs.