Centuries galore as batsmen dominate
THE batsmen in the Grahamstown Cricket Board leagues performed exceptionally well last weekend.
Cliff Savage (Sidbury, 105), Greg Evans (Sidbury, 121), James Stirk (Southwell, 144no) and Daine Kruger (Southwell, 147) all scored excellent centuries for their clubs.
The excitement is building as the end of the season approaches, with Southwell emerging as the new log leaders.
Home team Cuylerville proved too strong for Port Alfred in their GCB first league fixture after the visitors made 127/9 in 45 overs.
Rob Nel top-scored with 20, while Richard Beyleveldt (3/13), Charlie Muir (3/10) and Taylor Ntukela (2/21) were the destroyers-in-chiefs.
Cuylerville strolled to victory by nine wickets.
Muir struck a hurricane 93 not out off 31 balls with seven sixes and seven fours. His 50 came off just 11 balls.
Sidbury scored a solid win over Willows at Sidbury after totalling a daunting 284.
The Willows bowlers struggled in the wind and were punished by Greg Evans (121) and captain Cliff Savage (105).
Leftarm spinner Thandisile Ngowana stood out for Willows with career best figures of 7/65.
Willows had a bad start in their reply, with both openers going out cheaply.
Veteran Melville Daniels (36) and Edmun Jamieson (48) consolidated to a degree but the wickets continued to tumble and they were dismissed for 193.
George Amphlett (4/42) led the way for the Sidbury attack in the 91-run victory.
Second on the log, home team Salem continued their good form as they outplayed Makana Sona.
Summarised scores: Port Alfred 2nd 239 (Dewald Nel 86, Hannes Lourens 38, Brian Olckers 3/40, Peter Gradwell 2/35, Jason Nel 2/56); Sidbury 144 (Henry Kurten 41, Luke Birrel 39). Port Alfred won by 95 runs Manleys 2nd 234 (Damian Marney 84, Lester Isaacs 29no); Kenton 112 (Isaacs 3/18, Craig Fourie 2/23). Manleys won by 122 runs ý Latest logs: GCB 2nd league: Rainbows 40 (10), Cuylerville 33 (8), Station Hill 33 (8), Shrews 31 (7), Kenton 26 (9), Salem 25 (9), Southwell 18 (9), Sidbury 17 (9), Manley Flats 16 (9), Tiger Titans 11 (8), Port Alfred 10 (9), Early Birds 5 (9) GCB 1st league: Southwell 24 (6), Salem 22 (6), Cuylerville 21 (6), Sidbury 20 (7), Willows 15 (6), Manley Flats 10 (4), Port Alfred 8 (6), Makana Sona 5 (6), Rhodes 2 (5) Bathurst 1st league: Southwell 17 (4), Manley Flats 14 (5), Cuylerville 17 (5), Port Alfred 10 (4), St Andrew’s 5 (3), Station Hill 1 (5) Central Albany 1st league: Salem 20 (4), Makana Sona 9 (5), Willows 6 (3), Kingswood 9 (3), Sidbury 4 (2 ), Kenton 0 (1)