The Rollers cruised to a seven-wicket victory on Sunday at Bellville against the Pumas to make it two wins from as many games.
At a venue where we have enjoyed a lot of success over the years, things again started well thanks to Michael van Dewenter and Cornell Keulder.
Asked to bowl first, Cornell started with a maiden before Mike struck with his second delivery. Cornell then got a wicket with the first ball of his second over before Mike repeated the feat in his second over to leave Pumas reeling at 3/3.
Shukri Moerat showed some fight with a gutsy 19, but wickets kept falling at the other end as Nico Rheeder bowled with some guile to pick up 2/15.
But just when we thought an early drinking session was on the cards, in stepped Garth le Roux (no, not that one). He took a liking to all the bowlers, hitting the ball as hard anyone, but unfortunately found little in the way of support.
He was left unbeaten on 64 as Mike came back to clean up the tail – and finish with brilliant figures of 4.4-1-5-4 – to restrict the hosts to 137.
An easy enough target on a good wicket, but the Rollers were soon in trouble as the Cooper brothers departed for not a lot.
Cornell came in to stabilise the ship, putting on 56 for the third wicket with Hannes Carlson before skying one to deep mid-wicket, but there was no signs of the spectacular collapses which we have produced down the years.
Cassie kept his head and hit some towering sixes in a brilliant unbeaten 72, and he was ably supported by Nicky Rheeder (25*), who himself showed good aggression in the 73-run stand that took us over the line.
And there were more ticks in the win column for the Rollers in the post-match fines session, though in fairness the Pumas boys gave us a run for our money.
Thanks again to Daniel and his team for a very enjoyable afternoon, and welcome to the FCA. You guys will fit in perfectly!
BATTING Hannes Carlson 72* (3×6, 7×4) Neville Cooper 4 Ryan Cooper 2 Cornell Keulder 25 (3×4) Nicky Rheeder 25* (3×4)
Extras: 17 TOTAL: 141/3 (22.2 overs)
BOWLING Cornell Keulder 7-2-26-2 Michael van Dewenter 4.4-1-5-4 Nico Rheeder 4-0-15-2 Ryan Cooper 6-0-27-1 Hannes Carlson 5-0-23-0 Jacques Laubscher 4-0-15-1 Hennie de Villiers 3-0-17-1