Much like Donald Trump’s inane ramblings, the West Coast Rollers’ current losing streak shows no sign of ending soon.
Already on a record run of defeats, a fourth was added to the ‘L’ column on Sunday when we faced a very strong Wellington side at Schalk Burger’s farm.
The Rollers were a bit of a patch job – and a hungover one at that given the festivities at our Bowls Day the day before – but again it all started well enough.
Asked to bowl on a pitch which had more grass than the entire outfield last year, Wellington were reeling at 9/3 after five overs given some ‘hostile’ bowling from Tom Stapylton-Smith (5-0-31-1) and Ryan Cooper (7-0-24-4).
Jaco (66*) and Dappies 13 steadied the ship somewhat, but two more wickets from debutant Johan Ferreira (7-0-40-1) and Hannes Moore, who baffled the batsman with a rare straight one in a 13-ball over, again had Wellington on the backfoot.
Enter Louis Koen, who along with Jaco smashed the Rollers to all parts, before Piet Koen (26) and Rudi (29 off very little) joined in on the fun to propel the hosts to 231 off 31 overs.
The Rollers were always up against it, especially with Wellington’s strong bowling attack.
The perennially angry Dale got Jarryd van Wyk (4) and debutant Drew Bartlet (5) early on, but Ryan and Tom got the innings back on track with a 65-run third wicket partnership.
Ryan was gunned LBW for 43, but another debutant, Ross Butler, added 45 with Tom for the fourth wicket to continue the chase.
However, four wickets in not too many balls – Tom (24), Leon Theron (0), Johan (0) and Ross (28) – meant Hannes Moore’s aggressive 28* was never going to be enough as the Rollers fell 55 runs short of the target.
Despite a few words on the field, a good time was had in the fines session afterwards, including one of the funniest ‘stumps’ in recent memory.
Thanks again Nic for the organisation and hospitality, and good luck for the rest of your season.
SCORECARD
Batting Jarryd van Wyk 4 Drew Bartlet 5 (1×3) Tom Stapylton-Smith 24 (2×4) Ryan Cooper 43 (1×6, 6×4) Ross Butler 28 (1×4) Leon Theron 0 Johan Ferreira 0 Hannes Moore 28* (4×4) Cameran Young 3*
TOTAL: 176/7 (35 overs)
Bowling Tom Stapylton-Smith 5-0-31-1 Ryan Cooper 7-0-24-4 Hannes Moore 1-0-11-1 Cameran Young 4-0-38-1 Johan Ferreira 7-0-40-1 Ross Butler 4-0-47-0 Neville Cooper 3.1-0-39-2