Handley piles on runs to keep Eastern Province on right path

IN-FORM Eastern Province batsman Brandon Handley continued to pile on the runs as he led his team to victory over Border Villages in the Cricket SA Rural cricket competition last weekend.

Facing a total of 155/8 in 26 overs, Handley hit a quick-fire 67 off 55 balls to set up a seven-wicket win with an over to spare.

The match was reduced to 26 overs a side due to a wet pitch.

Sent in to bat, Border made a good start before EP’s slower balls put a brake on the scoring by taking regular wickets.

Leftarm spinner Cameron Braans (3/36) again came to the party and he was well supported by Thando Ngcete (2/25) and Tayler Ntukela (2/27).

The best of the Border batsmen were Jabo Kilani (30), Siya Ngcuka (27) and Luvuyo Gwanqa (24).

After a shaky start, Handley hit seven fours and a six to revive the EP innings, with good contributions also coming from Aviwe Sentwa (37 off 49 balls) and Nicholas Zimmerman (21 not out off 21balls).

EP are still unbeaten in the competition, with four wins and a no result from a rained-out game against Midlands.

SOUTHWELL dominated their clash against Station Hill in the Bathurst first cricket league last weekend, winning by seven wickets.

Batting first, Station Hill could only manage 75 in 13 overs thanks to the superb accuracy of the home attack.

The visiting batsmen had no counter to the line and length of their opponents and lost wickets at regular intervals.

Harold Visser was the home side’s best bowler with 5/13 in six overs. Chris Ford (2/24) and Murray Hobson (2/26) gave him fine support.

Joy Afrika (19), Lyndon Coltman (14) and Andy Jones (11 not out) make the bulk of the runs for Hill.

Southwell easily reached their target in 12.4 overs to earn a bonus point.

Kevin Bennet (30) and Chris Roberts (25 not out) batted aggressively to set up the victory. Hill captain Codey Jones took 2/34. Other scores were: Cuylerville 2nd 398/6 (J Beylervelt 144no, S du Plessis 88, K Handley 43); Early Birds 38 (M van Wyk 4/18, A McLaren 3/3). Cuylerville won by 360 runs. Tiger Titans 72 (T Beyers 4/13, T Shotana 2/13); Rainbows 73/2 (T Shotana 25, T Beyers 19). Rainbows won by 8 wickets. ý The latest logs are: GCB 2nd league: Rainbows 40 (10), Shrews 31 (7), Kenton 25 (6), Cuylerville 24 (6), Salem 20 (6), Station Hill 14 (4 ), Manley Flats 11 (7), Tiger Titans 10 (7), Southwell 9 (6), Sidbury 6 (5), Port Alfred 5 (7), Early Birds 0 (7) GCB 1st league: Salem 16 (4), Cuylerville 14 (4), Willows 14 (4), Sidbury 13 (5), Southwell 11 (3), Port Alfred 6 (4), Manley Flats 5 (2), Makana Sona 3 (3), Rhodes 2 (5) Bathurst 1st league: Southwell 17 (4), Manley Flats 14 (4), Cuylerville 13 (4), Port Alfred 5 (3), St Andrews 5 (3), Station Hill 0 (4) Central Albany 1st league: Salem 20 (4), Makana Sona 6 (3), Kingswood 4 (2), Sidbury 4 (2 ), Willows 1 (2), Kenton 0 (1).