Reeve Cyster and Marvin de Kock’s clinical performance on Saturday powered Northern Goodwood Cricket Club (NGCC) to their second win of the Western Province Cricket Association’s First Division A one-day campaign.
Winning the toss and choosing to field first, NGCC took advantage of the pitch at Arnold Bloch Oval.
It was ideal for bowling and the opening pair made great use of the new ball. Cyster took seven wickets for 12 runs in 9.5 overs. De Kock picked up three wickets for 23 runs in nine overs.
Gugulethu was bowled out for 35 runs in 19.1 overs. The opening pair of Gugulethu, Mangaliso Mthiya and Mbulelo Shane Nkomo scored 13 runs in four overs, which includes a six by Mthiya, over long-off, in the opening over.
Cyster moved Marcel Rautenbach ten steps to the boundary on long off before bowling the off stamp channels to Mthiya. Thereafter, Mthiya was caught impatient to the bowling of Cyster and the comfortable hands of Rautenbach. Soon after, Nkomo’s short selection saw him bowled out by De Kock.
NGCC’s head coach Reagan Siljeur noted that Gugulethu is always capable of upsetting teams in the league due to their talented players, so the win was especially significant for his side.
The win moves NGCC to a 50 percent winning record this season after two opening losses.
Two weeks ago, on October 25, NGCC beat Pinelands by 51 runs at home to mark they first win. NGCC scored 199/10. Pinelands fell short at 149/10 in 38.3 overs. Batting in fifth position, Cyster scored 76 runs in 125 balls in that match.
“We started the season with unfavourable results for us but credit to the team for always being positive, believing in our processes and our ethos. We had a win against Pinelands and again, it was an indication that our team showed resilience even though the first two games didn’t go our way,” said coach Siljeur.
On Saturday, November 9, NGCC will play at home against Avendale Cricket Club.
“We’re committed to building a stronger mindset and structure, keeping things as simple as possible. We keep developing as human beings and keep developing the process. Our goals are to play respectful cricket, play good cricket and apply the basics. As this is our ethos, whether we win or lose, every weekend is a positive as we always learn; irrespective of the league positions,” said Siljeur.
