Nightmare in Stellies (Part 2)

For the second time in as many games, the West Coast Rollers left Stellenbosch with their tail between their legs.

Following on from the eight-wicket drubbing at the hands of Scorpions, it was more of the same a couple of kilometers down the road at Van der Stel - our old foes Strikers the tormentors this time around.

Batting first on a difficult wicket, Michael van Dewenter and Nic Slabbert got us off to a solid start before the latter edged one behind for seven and Neville Cooper waltzed past a full-toss for 10. Mike mixed caution with aggression in his 32 off 49, before Bryan Bowler finally showed some of the talent we always knew he had kept hidden.

‘Markram’ got a rousing ovation as he crossed the 30-run mark, and the joy was palpable when he ventured into the 40s for the first time in his Rollers career. He eventually finished unbeaten on 47, ably supported by Peter Hook (17 off 34) and Jacques Labuschagne (16 off 23) as the Rollers crept their way to 156.

The target was a little less than we would have liked, but quite defendable given the wicket. However, catching was not our friend …

Tom Stapylton-Smith (5-0-45-2) started us off with a wicket in the first over, and Mike (5-0-23-0) should have had Tim caught behind but it wasn’t meant to be. At the other end, the dangerous Johann was making merry en route to 60-odd, but he too was put down twice.

Izak de Beer (2-0-35-0) had a day to remember, before Peter leant some respectability to the inevitable result with a good spell of 2/14, meaning the losing margin was ‘only’ five wickets.

The Strikers chased the score down in just 19 overs, which was bittersweet considering we were paying for the field hire by the hour.