Professional Jacques Snyman’s first hundred of the season gave the first team a massive 219-run victory at Nelson to continue their fine start to the campaign. However, there was to be no luck in the reverse fixture for the seconds, slumping to a convincing nine wicket defeat in a mixed weekend for the senior setup writes SAM CHADWICK
It was something of a field day for the first as, batting first on a glorious Sunday afternoon, they racked up a score of 315 for 5 in their 50 overs.
There were scores galore, with Snyman scoring 116 off 97, backed up by 58 from 71 from his opening partner Dan Stevens. By the time the first wicket fell, the two had collated a 173-run partnership. Captain Travis Townsend then added to his hundred last week with an innings of 90 from 60 balls, one that included six sixes.
Not content with one landmark, Jacques took 5 for 44 in the second innings as Nelson were bowled out for just 96. Only three bowlers were needed to wrap up proceedings: Callum Hunter ended with 3 for 25 and Amal Dalugoda took 2 for 25 to continue his fruitful start to the season.
The performance was a statement of intent, seeing them into second place in the league and showing early signs of a promotion push as the season progresses.
In contrast, a young second team slumped to a disappointing loss in the reverse. Having won the toss, captain Oliver Dixon chose to bat on a dry wicket. But things soon unravelled as they were bowled out for 102 in 26.2 overs.
The in-swing of opening bowler Haroon Manaf proved too hot to handle for their top order, removing four of the top six on his way to figures of 5 for 29. His efforts were ably backed up by his opening partner Elliot Bradley, who took 2 for 34. A battling 27 (57) from Leigh Dickinson (and 30 extras) pulled the home side over the hundred-mark, but the damage had already been done.
There was to be no fight-back in the second innings, with some assured Nelson batting regularly eating away at a modest target. Jack Bradley carried his bat, scoring 57 from 71, and Harry Waddington ended on 29 not out from just 20 to finish things off in the 21st over. Dixon took the only wicket for Greenmount, collecting respectable figures of 1 for 21 from his eight overs.
It is games like this that will be a learning curve for a young side and, with so much talent on offer, there is sure to be an upturn in form as the year moves on. For now, they sit in sixth in the early proceedings.
There was no game for the third team this weekend. They return with a trip to Nelson on Bank Holiday Monday.