Rylands struggle to find their rhythm

Mark Ward

Rylands Cricket Club’s home defeat to Claremont at the AW Mukuddem Oval, on Saturday, will sting deeply as they continue to face the demands of Western Province Premier League cricket.

Still without a point after six matches, they now face the daunting reality of a season rapidly slipping away. 

A week ago, they faced in-form Rondebosch, who restricted Rylands to 187/7 in their allotted 50 overs with Cameron Fraser taking 3/36 in his 10 overs, while left-arm medium pace man, Wiehan van der Merwe, took 2/20.

After sending Rylands into bat, home side Rondebosch marched to an eight-wicket win over Rylands, with opener Travis Norris with a fine knock of 74 from 80 deliveries and captain Lenert Van Wyk (63) leading from the front. After opener Luc Benkenstein (13)  lost his wicket with only 16 runs on the board, Norris and van Wyk set the home side on the victory path with an industrious second-wicket 139-run partnership.  Van Wyk’s innings included five boundaries, 64, and three sixes.

Rylands will be looking to bounce back in their next assignment, a home fixture against Bellville, which offers another chance to break their winless run and begin climbing off the foot of the table.

Claremont, meanwhile, will view their four-wicket victory as a vital step in restoring confidence after losing by 51 runs to Green Point the previous week. On Saturday, after winning the toss and electing to field, they struck immediately through seamer Kyle Pluke, who bowled Siyabonga Venge with the first ball of his opening over. The early breakthrough settled the visitors, who maintained tight lines during a disciplined opening spell.

Rylands attempted to rebuild but were repeatedly held back as Claremont’s  Cedric Landers added further pressure when Joshua Pistorius held onto a sharp catch to dismiss the experienced Mujahid Behardien for 43. Pluke then struck again, trapping Bonga Makaka lbw for 57, leaving the home side wobbling on  77/4. Despite the setbacks, Rylands showed resolve, working their way to a respectable 186/7 in their allotted 50 overs.

Claremont’s chase, however, started in disarray. Three wickets tumbled for just 16 runs in 7.4 overs, leaving the visitors in familiar trouble. But unlike earlier in the season, the middle order held its nerve. Pistorius, who had already contributed with a tidy 2/37, produced a crucial 43 to steady the innings and shift the momentum.

He found able support in Harlan Greig, whose brisk 40 off 46 balls kept Claremont within reach. The decisive performance came from Landers, whose unbeaten 58, which included four boundaries and two sixes, anchored the chase and guided his side home with four wickets to spare.

For coach Eugene Moleon and his Claremont squad, the result brings significant relief. Though they remain 11th on the log with eight points, the win showcased the resilience and quality that have too often been missing this season. With a challenging away fixture against Brackenfell up next, Claremont will hope this marks the start of their first back-to-back victories of the campaign.

Rylands, on the other hand, face a sobering reality. Relegated two seasons ago and now back in the top-flight, their return has been harsh. Six matches, six defeats, and not a single point underline the growing urgency within the camp. Bellville’s visit next weekend now carries added weight.

Elsewhere, attention will turn to Avenue de Mist for Saturday’s headline fixture between Western Province Cricket Club and Rondebosch. Only four points separate the two early front-runners at the top of the log, and while it is still the first round, the outcome could offer valuable clues about the title race heading into the second half of the season.

Results: Brackenfell  beat UWC by six wickets;  Cape  Town Cricket Club beat Western Province Cricket Club; Durbanville beat Victoria  by 34 runs; Claremont beat Rylands by four wickets; Rondebosch  beat Bellville by 49 runs