BOYS’ CRICKET FOR 2009
FIRST TEAM
Cricket remains one of the most popular sports played by the boys at Victoria Park. Once again nine boys teams were entered into different leagues this year. Three senior teams were fielded, while on the odd occasion we fielded a fourth side. At under fifteen and fourteen level, we fielded three teams in each age group. This scenario certainly increases our depth and bodes well for the future.
The 1st XI has done reasonably well this year. A loss to Westering at the end of 2008 was disappointing, but the boys came back well in 2009 with good wins over Pearson, Alexander Road and Framesby.
The tour to East London in September proved useful and provided the players with the opportunity of getting in some valuable match practice. A number of the boys put in good performances and this augers well for the confidence of the team as they prepare for important matches against Graeme, Westering and Despatch in October.
It was very pleasing that both the Second XI and Third XI were unbeaten during the first term. This is certainly a notable achievement and has not happened in the last two decades at VP. Congratulations to Mr Marais and the seconds, as well as Mr Lehman and his thirds – you have done VP proud !
The cricket pitches at VP are of a very high standard and are the envy of many schools. A word of thanks must go to Mr Milne and the pitch curator Lawrence Baard, who do a sterling job maintaining and preparing pitches. The school is in the process of upgrading cricket facilities. A scoreboard has been erected, which is proving to be very useful. Our next project will be the erection of sight screens on the main field as well as the acquisition of a heavy roller.
In closing, I would like to thank all the cricket coaches who have once again given unselfishly of their time in ensuring that cricket continues to flourish at VP. Thank you also to Mrs Gow who continues to serve VP cricket year in and year out – I am not sure what we would do without you ! We are also very grateful to Mr Vermaak, who continues to support and show a great deal of interest in cricket at the school.
Mr A Jansen (Coach)
PLAYER PROFILES – 1ST XI
Johan de Beer (Captain)
Solid opener. Very gritty. Once in, is a very difficult batsman to remove. Played an important role in winning some key games for us by batting for long periods.
Josh Thompson
Has become a key batsman in the team. He has taken to opening the batting. He has scored numerous fifties this season.
Shaun Terblanche
Has had a good season with both bat and ball. Will be a key player next year.
Chad Willatt (Vice Captain)
A talented player who thinks about the game. Had a lean spell with the bat in the first term but seems to be finding some form. More than useful with the ball at all times. Will be an important all-rounder next year.
Carlin Jones
Useful with both bat and ball. Has made some valuable contributions with the bat this season.
Luxolo Daku
Can hammer a ball as we saw against Framesby. Has put in some useful spells with the ball. A top fielder.
Brian Greenwood
A useful spinner who varies his pace well. Can come to the party with the bat when the need arises. A key player next year.
Justin Van Der Weide
A good opening bowler who swings it. Bowls tightly and takes wickets. Handy with the bat at times.
Jared Payne
A team man. Can bowl some unplayable balls when in the groove. Has also batted well for the team at crucial times.
Martin Calitz
Talented player. Bowled well but should have made more runs. Athletic in the field.
Ziphozihle Ntuli
Much improved bowler. Bowls a disciplined line and length and takes wickets. A key player next year.
1st Team Cricket Tour to East London – 23-26 September 2009
We once again had the privilege of being invited to play in the Cambridge High School Annual Cricket Festival in East London. The boys were full of expectation as most of us were taking part in this festival for the third time. We received the fixtures on arrival. This year saw us drawn against the following teams: (T20) Port Rex and Hudson Park, (Declaration) Selbourne College and (40 overs) Stirling High School.
Our first Twenty20 match was a disappointing one as we arrived at Port Rex to find that they had a wet pitch which caused the match to be cancelled. We then spent the morning on the beachfront. Later that day we arrived at Hudson. We lost the toss and they elected to bat first. We managed to bowl them out for 81. The pick of the bowlers was Bonnet, picking up a Hat-trick and ending up with 4 wickets. We then chased the total with ease, with top scores from Chad Willet (19) and Johann de Beer (19).
Our second match was a Declaration match. We knew we were in for a long and difficult day especially playing against Selbourne. We won the toss and decided to bowl first. This proved to be a good decision as we bowled them out for 154. Bonnet yet again picking up good figures and showing he has endurance, bowling 17 overs. Andrew Wells bowled with aggression and pace; real test match bowling. We then went into bat and we were cruising at 94 for 0. We then collapsed but we eventually achieved the required total. Pick of the batsmen was Josh Thomson (54) who was well supported in that opening stand by Chad Willet (38).
Our third and final match of the tour was against Stirling. It was a limited overs game and we knew we needed to up the run rate from the previous day in this match. We won the toss and elected to bat. Once again we started with a solid opening partnership by Josh and Chad. Josh Thompson ended up being the top scorer with a well played 52. Johann de Beer (44) made a vital contribution and a by Bryan Greenwood a quick fire 31. We posted a match winning total of 213 for 5. We once again bowled well upfront and restricted them in the first 20 overs. We would like to forget the following 20 overs as Stirling came back strongly. We held our nerve in the bowling and in the field and won the match by 18 runs.
On behalf of the touring side we would like to thank Mr Jansen (Coach), Mr Potgieter(Manager), Mr de Beer(Transport Manager) and Mr Payne for their support and encouragement on tour.
It was my final tour and I will deeply miss playing in VP colours. All the best to my other matric teammates and to Mr Jansen for leading and coaching the team.
Jared Payne
2ND TEAM CRICKET
The second team Warriors had an excellent season in which they managed to remain unbeaten against some stiff opposition. The team always displayed wonderful spirit, on and off the field, under the inspired leadership of Kyle Timms and Akhona Mashaya. Jonathan Lewis was the top batsman, scoring 204 runs at an average of 40,8. Akhona Mashaya was the top bowler, taking 18 wickets at an astounding average of 7,5. Lonwabo Moss also impressed with his consistent contributions with both bat and ball. Even though there were many excellent individual performances, it was the collective effort of the team that proved to be pivotal in many dire situations and the whole team deserves to be commended for their performances. The results in full are as follows:
Opposition Result
Linkside 1st XI – VP won by 4 runs
Daniel Pienaar 2nd XI – VP won by 56 runs
Pearson 2nd XI – VP won by 49 runs
Alexander Road 2nd XI - VP won by 38 runs
Brandwag 2nd XI – VP won by 59 runs
Framesby 2nd XI – VP won by 22 runs
Mr E Marais
3RD CRICKET TEAM
It was a pleasure coaching the 3rd cricket team this year, with players who enthusiastically attended practice and gave their best on the field.
U15A CRICKET
This year saw a number of talented cricketers come to the fore on under 15 level. Three of our players were selected to the final set of provincial trials. The team ended with the following results, played 7, won 4 and lost 3. Great performances with both the bat and ball by numerous players have created enthusiasm and teamwork within the under 15 team and we look forward to a good 2010 season.
Mr.Hendry
Results for the first term:
vs Despatch – lost by 10 runs
vs Daniel Pienaar – lost by 67 runs
vs Pearson – lost by 7 runs
vs Alex – lost by 5 runs
vs Brandwag – won by 7 runs
vs Framesby – lost by 7 runs
U/14 A CRICKET
The under 14 boys cricket team had a very good season, despite only winning one match. In four of the other five matches they came within 10 runs of winning.
In a season where there was a lot to learn about the game, the boys did very well, but soon realized that the three components of cricket (batting, bowling and fielding) had to work in harmony for them to be successful. In each game they played there was one component that let them down and cost them the game. Justin Pretorius, Lwandile Ngcete, Bradley Clemence, Wayne Jones and Diego Bruiners all had good all-round performances throughout the season.
We’re looking forward to the fourth term and many more good results.
Mr. C Ferreira
