Seventeen wins on the trot and sitting on top of the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) First Division 1C log, Hanover Park Cricket Club looks like the team to beat this season.
At the weekend, Hanover Park hosted Cravenby at home, posting 92/4 after 24 overs and coming away with a bonus point ahead of their upcoming encounter with Wynberg Cricket Club.
Hanover Park’s formidable bowling attack dismissed their northern suburbs visitors on 88/10 after 10 overs.
Last week they were were made to sweat after dropping a few wickets early in the game against a young Langa side, at Langa Oval but ultimately Hanover Park big hitters, Mr Reliable, Saliem Toefy (96) and Mr Dependable, Moegsoen Hassan (64) helped steer them to a total of 279/10 after 46 overs. In reply, the home side were restricted to 87/10 after 30 overs.
“I think the reason for our success thus far is because everyone is working really hard on and off the field. We are trying to create a winning and positive culture among all our teams,” said Captain Shafwaan Doutie.
“Despite our poor facilities, which is really appalling, we still stand tall and deliver on the field. Our first team is on a magnificent run and probably has a WP record of league wins on the trot. I’m really proud to represent this wonderful club and community,” he said.
HPCC chairman Ashraf Allie agrees, saying, it’s all about having a positive mindset. “We definitely went in with a positive attitude, determined and hoping to gain promotion and striving to become champions,” he said.
With seasoned campaigners such as Doutie, Toefy brothers Saliem and Muneeb and Hassen in the side, Hanover Park looks every bit the champions they strive to become.
Despite battling health issues over the past few years that nearly cut short his playing years, Hassan’s stint in front of the wickets during his partnership with Toefy in last week’s match against Langa, confirmed his role as a stabilising force in the middle order and what it means to be cool under pressure.
“I came in at number seven with our team in trouble,” he said. ”My nerves were running through the roof as it was my debut in the first team.
“I faced a few balls and they dropped me on 0. After that they did not get any chance. I was batting slow just trying to give the strike back to Saliem as he was seeing the ball better and hitting it cleaner than what I was. So he was making up for the runs that I couldn’t score at the time. Next thing I knew, Saliem was on 50 and I was only on 10,” he said.
“We were going along nicely and we were both tired، I just kept looking for the single to give him the strike،”
With Toefy edging closer to 80, then 90, Hassan patiently played singles, knowing his partner was within touching distance of reaching 100.
“He was in his 90s and he hit a four and thought he scored his 100 but it was not meant to be as he got caught on 95,” said Hassan, who reached his 50 a few balls later.
“What a 50 runs to score on debut,” he said. “For now, it’s the second best feeling that I got so far in my cricketing career and one of the best partnerships I have ever had.What an honour it was to bat with Saliem Toefy. He told me it was nice batting with me after our innings and for words like that to come from such a player, is quite special,” Hassan said, who himself is something of a special case as he scored his own century against Peninsula a few weeks ago and looking to add to his tally as far as raking in runs and taking wickets and catches are concerned.
As for the future, Allie is confident they’ve established a strong foundation for youngsters to come through the ranks.
“Our juniors are a great feeder for the first team. Presently we have a 14-man squad and of those teams, six are under-20, with two 16-year-olds, a 17 year-old and a 14-year-old regulars in the first side and contributing to our success.
“In our last T20 fixture against Wynberg, we fielded eight players under-20 who came through our youth system.
“This is our joy and pride – investment in our youth and in line with our #BreakingBoundariesinitiative,” he said.
