Green Point, Vics secure Premier League wins

Green Point laid down an early marker on a hot summer's day in Plumstead with a commanding victory over Cape Town Cricket Club at the Boon Wallace Oval.

Green Point won this Western Province Premier League match by eight wickets at the Boon Wallace Oval on Saturday after they elected to field and immediately put the home side under huge pressure.

Tristan Coetzee, Cape Town’s captain, was run out for a duck in the very first over with just one run on the board, and the situation worsened in the next over when they were left reeling when fellow opener Jamie Marillier also departed without scoring.

Storme van Rooyen (20) and Josh Chippendale (7) attempted to stabilise the innings, but the task proved increasingly difficult as wickets continued to fall.  Although Craig Jeffrey provided some much-needed resistance with a determined knock off 43 deliveries, helping the hosts to reach triple figures when they were eventually dismissed for 113 in 37.4 overs.

Green Point’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Keegan Crawford (2/16) and Saul Anstey (2/17) the pick of the attack, applying sustained pressure throughout the innings.

In reply, Green Point showed little intention of lingering at the crease towards the winning target in just 21.2 overs, underlining their dominance in the match. Neil Eksteen anchored the chase with an unbeaten 64, sealing victory in style with a boundary. His fluent innings included 10 fours and a six, capping off a comprehensive performance by the visitors.

With the race for the league title now heading straight, the victory is just the right tonic for coach Steven Westraad's ambitions to win the title. While Green Point find themselves in fifth spot on the league ladder with 30 points, it’s just four points from leaders Durbanville on 34 points. 

Meanwhile, at Chukker Road, a fine unbeaten century from Marco Wyngard (107) anchored Victoria’s 53-run win over Rylands after they elected to bat. Wyngard’s innings, which came off 81 deliveries, included six boundaries and five sixes.

After losing Magmoet Peterson (8) with the score on 10 Fahad Khan (22) and Adam Constant (44) steadied the innings as they raced towards a mammoth 266/6 in their allotted 50 overs. 

While Rylands looked good chasing a much-needed victory with openers Taariq Chiecktey (79) and Tom Newby (44) sharing an opening partnership of 77, there was not much resistance further down the order.  For Victoria, bowlers  Juan Collison 3/ 53 and Warren Ekstraal 3/22 completed the demolition job of Rylands by taking six wickets between them. The win brings much relief to Victoria’s log position, but they are surely not out of the relegation zone yet in the 12-team competition, where they now occupy the 10th spot.

Results: WP Cricket Club beat Claremont by five wickets; Durbanville beat Rondebosch by three wickets; Victoria beat Rylands by 53 runs; Brackenfell  beat Ottoman by 143 runs