Old Grey aim for full points
It is early days in the NMB Premier League cricket competition, but joint log-leaders Tavcor Commercial Old Grey and BLG Gelvandale will be looking to build on their success of the opening weekend.
Both sides enjoyed two victories last weekend to set the pace at the top of the standings.
Old Grey will fancy their chance of making it four out of four with another doubleheader planned for this weekend.
On Saturday, they host Motherwell at Freeplay Park, while Sunday will see them travel to face SUPERSPAR Despatch. Both their opponents conceded bonus-point defeats last weekend.
Gelvandale face a tricky fixture at home to SA Home Loans Union on Saturday, but the hosts are a tough nut to crack in their own back yard.
On Sunday, Union face United Brothers at the Dan Qeqe Stadium, with the home team desperate to bounce back from a big defeat to league newcomers Bloemendal, who have won one and lost one.
Finnis Street outfit Bloemendal have an away trip to Old Muir 1 to play Mechatronic Uitenhage on Saturday.
PECC will want to bounce back from two defeats last weekend with solid performances against Jendamark United and Uitenhage.
Fixtures
Saturday
10am: Uitenhage v Bloemendal, United Brothers v Despatch, Gelvandale v Union, PECC v United, Old Grey v Motherwell.
Sunday
10am: Despatch v Old Grey, United Brothers v Union, Uitenhage v PECC
Standings
The latest log, subject to ratification by the logkeeper, is: 1 Old Grey 12 (2), 1 Gelvandale 12 (2), 3 Union 6 (1), 3 Uitenhage 6 (2), 3 United 6 (2), 3 Bloemendal 6 (2), 7 United Brothers 0 (1), 7 Motherwell 0 (1), 7 Despatch 0 (1), 10 PECC 0 (2), 11 Madibaz1 0 (0), 12 Madibaz2 0 (0)
● Southwell ended Willows’ unbeaten run in the Grahamstown first league with a 50-run victory at Southwell on Sunday.
The result put Southwell at the top of the log.
The home team posted a steady 266/8 in their 50 overs, with captain James Stirk contributing 49 and Kyle van Niekerk making 64.
Willows started their run chase badly and never got going as the Southwell attack maintained the pressure.
Only Marquin Loutz stood firm with a knock of 70 as they were dismissed for 216.
A brilliant 196 from Cuylerville’s Charlie Muir helped his side to a 118-run win over Makana Sona at Cuylerville.
The home team posted a mammoth 435/5 as Muir received good support from Brent Emslie (82no).
Makana made a spirited reply, with Lunga Stamper making 88 and Aviwe Sentwa 84 before they were finally dismissed for 317.
Salem continued their good form with a 105-run win over Manley Flats. Graeme College pupil Mark Amm starred with 101 not out in Salem’s challenging total of 270.
They then bowled out Manleys for 165.
In Salem’s innings, Bradley Wilmot (90) and Buster Brotherton (60) lent Amm fine support.
Sidbury beat Port Alfred by 37 runs in a closely contested match after the former made 339/3.
Hugh Savage scored his consecutive century with an undefeated 167 and Archie Chirinda contributed 79 for Sidbury.
Port Alfred fought back well as Sipho Booi led with the way with 147. Eventually, however, they ended on 302/9.
Second league scores
Station Hill 317 (K Arends 62, C Jones 81, F Jacobs 31, D Webster 3/66, J de Klerk 2/79); Sidbury 193 (D Webster 65, D Viviers 57, M Stoke 33, R Jacobs 4/29, A Marney 3/45). Station Hill won by 124 runs Cuylerville 288/5 (R Dixon 81, G Pike 72, C Dell 36, C Fourie 2/67); Manleys 157 (C Japp 4/60, S du Plessis 2/44, A McCerrow 2/29). Cuylerville won by 133 runs Rainbows 125 (Shooter 43, T Faku 23, H Visser 5/61); Southwell 95 (H Visser 20, J McClahlan 22, T Mlonyeni 4/34, T Shotana 3/19). Rainbows won by 30 runs Salem 252/8 (P Buthi 115, L Pittaway 33, L Oosthuizen 2/42, A Pittaway 2/22); Port Alfred 160 (D Nel 47, M Mattison 3/28, C Labuschagne 2/26, P Buthi 2/30). Salem won by 92 runs – Additional reporting by Chesley Daniels