Rollers come crashing down

After last week’s cakewalk in Rondebosch, the West Coast Rollers were brought back down to earth with a shuddering ‘thump’ at Distell on Saturday.

Facing our old foes the Scorpions is a difficult task at the best of times, so scrambling for players late on in the week was never the best of signs. And so it proved as the Rollers were pretty much outplayed for the entirety of the match.

Taking first strike on a wicket with more than a healthy sprinkling of grass, the visitors lost Ayden Cooper (6) early on courtesy of a brilliant one-handed catch from the veteran Danie Smit. Ryan Cooper (25) played on, Hannes Moore (8) chipped one back, and Neville Cooper was yorked for a duck, but Bryan Bowler looked in superb touch until he Aiden Markram-ed his wicket away for 24 of 23 deliveries.

A steady procession followed, with the wily Gavin Stander (3/30) the chief destroyer, particularly enjoying bowling the FCA’s favourite prostitute, Nic Slabbert, for a duck with a beauty of an outswinger.

The Rollers limped to 113 all out, never enough against this batting line-up, but we were desperate to at least play until drinks, and thanks to an incredible spell of 7-1-10-1 from Michael van Dewenter, we did.

With Tom Stapylton-Smith inexplicably choosing a day out with family instead of a brand new red cricket ball, we turned to Nic (6-0-31-1), who was mixing prime Allan Donald with current Allan Donald, eventually getting the wicket of a frustrated Johann Kapp for four off 28 balls.

But in the end we were well short of runs, with Pat Lawson (49*) and Nico Ras (40*) putting on 89 for the third wicket as Scorpions eased to an eight-wicket victory.

The result notwithstanding, another enjoyable day out playing FCA cricket. Thanks to Gavin, Riaan, Hayden and the rest of our hosts for having us. We promise to be better next year!

Rollers vs Scorpions - October 2025.pdf

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