The Rollers started the 2018/19 season with a victory on Sunday against the Pumas, though at one stage it looked very much if the FCA ‘rookies’ would get their first win against us.
With very, very little in the way of pre-season practice, the Rollers had to rely on good old natural talent and muscle memory on a Kraaifontein pitch that, to put it very mildly, offered something for the bowlers.
Debutant Johann Roux fell for a duck in the first over, before James Lamprecht (9) got undone by one that stuck in the pitch.
Marchell Hattingh (16) and Jarryd van Wyk (13) struck a few lusty blows before losing their wickets, and when Cornell Keulder and Michael van Dewenter were bowled for one apiece, the Rollers were down shit-street at 61/6.
But Ryan Cooper and Hannes Carlson set about restoring the innings, with the former pouncing on anything short, while the captain looked Jacques Kallis-esque with his cover driving.
Casper (22) was eventually bowled by one that stayed low after a 57-run partnership, but Ryan kept fighting – ably assisted by extras (29) – and worked his way to 92 before being caught in the deep off the penultimate delivery.
So a very defendable 190 to defend on a difficult wicket, and Pumas hardly got off to an ideal start.
Dave Novos was bowled early on, and Shukri and Bobby hardly found the going easy against some tight bowling from Cornell (7-2-17-2) and Michael (5-0-14-0).
They crawled to 48/1 after 17 overs, though the tempo picked up rapidly after drinks as Shukri (31 off 68), Garth (13 off 21), Christiaan (10 off 10), Tjoppie (35 off 27) and Daniel (20 off 25) got stuck into the bowling.
But they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, with Neville ‘Head Waiter’ Cooper the destroyer-in-chief, rolling back the years to finish with 3/18 off his five overs.
Pumas eventually finished on 150/7 off their 35 overs, meaning a comfortable 40-run win for the Rollers.
Many drinks were shared after the game, while Johann and Tjoppie also partook in one of the most memorable ‘stumps’ sessions ever!
Thanks again to Michael and his team for a great day out, and a fantastic way to start the new season.
SCORECARD
Batting James Lamprecht 9 (1×4) Johann Roux 0 Marchell Hattingh (1×6, 2×4) Jarryd van Wyk (2×4) Cornell Keulder 1 Ryan Cooper 92 (3×6, 10×4) Michael van Dewenter 1 Hannes Carlson 22 (3×4) Neville Cooper 4 Cameran Young 1 Jacques Laubscher 0*
Extras 29 TOTAL: 190/10 (34.4 overs)
Bowling Cornell Keulder 7-2-17-2 Michael van Dewenter 5-0-14-0 Jacques Laubscher 5-0-32-0 Cameran Young 4-0-18-0 Neville Cooper 5-0-18-3 James Lamprecht 4-0-22-1 Ryan Cooper 2-0-11-0 Hannes Carlson 2-0-12-0