Defeat leaves Ottoman fighting for Premier League survival
Durbanville wicketkeeper, Christian French, dives to try and take a catch during his side’s Western Province Cricket Association Premier League match against Ottoman at the Surrey Estate Oval on Sunday. The batsman is Mphumzi Gabada of Ottoam. The bowler is Stefan Breuninger of Durbanville.
Image: Mark Ward
Mark Ward
Ottoman Cricket Club’s hopes of holding onto their Western Province Cricket Association Premier League status took a major knock on Sunday, with their top-flight future now dependent on results elsewhere after suffering a cruel defeat to Durbanville Cricket Club, in their final match of the season.
The Surrey Estate-based club ended their 22-match campaign on 26 points and slipped to 10th place on the log — a precarious position in a season in which two teams will be relegated.
The loss came just 24 hours after Ottoman had one of their strongest performances of the season with a convincing 50-run victory over Green Point Cricket Club. In that encounter, middle-order batsman Isma-eel Prince impressed with 96 off 65 deliveries, while opener Taariq Behardien added a fluent 65.
A confident Mujahid Toffar, of Ottoman, contributed 39 off 34 during his side’s Western Province Premier League against Durbanville, Surrey Estate Oval on Sunday.
Image: Mark Ward
However, Ottoman were unable to carry that form into their final fixture. Sent in to bat on Sunday, they were dismissed for 183 in 49.1 overs. Opener Mphumzi Gabada top-scored with a patient 49 from 95 balls, while Mujahid Toffar contributed 39 off 34.
Durbanville made light work of the target, thanks largely to an unbeaten century from opener Daniel Lategan, who finished on 112*. He received solid support from Fritz de Beer (25) and Ruben Senekal (32). Earlier, Durbanville’s bowling effort had been led by Benjamin Ward, who returned figures of 4/47.
At the top of the standings, Western Province Cricket Club lead the way on 62 points from 17 matches, with Durbanville second on 59 and Rondebosch Cricket Club third on 56.
Ottoman's Mphumzi Gabada plays a reverse shot during his stint in front of the crease, in his side’s WPCA Premier League fixture, against Durbanville, at the Surrey Estate Oval, on Sunday.
Image: Mark Ward
The relegation picture remains tight. Rylands Cricket Club are currently bottom of the table, while Cape Town Cricket Club sit just above them and remain well placed to climb clear in the final round of fixtures. Victoria Cricket Club are also still firmly in the relegation mix.
Rylands briefly boosted their survival hopes with a seven-wicket victory over Claremont Cricket Club, inspired by Tom Newby’s 84 off 76 balls. But their momentum stalled on Sunday when they suffered a narrow 25-run defeat to Brackenfell Cricket Club, despite a superb 141 from Jack Newby in a run chase of 318.
For Ottoman, the final outcome of their season — and their place in the Premier League — will now be decided by how the remaining relegation contenders perform in the closing matches.
Durbanville's Stefan Breuninger with ball in hand during his side’s Western Province Premier League match against Ottoman, at the Surrey Estate Oval, on Sunday.
Image: Fuad Esack
Other results: Durbanville beat Victoria by seven wickets; Rondebosch beat Bellville Cricket Club by eight wickets; Western Province Cricket Club beat Cape Town by eight wickets; Rylands beat Claremont by seven wickets; Ottoman beat Green Point by 50 runs.
Sunday: Durbanville beat Ottoman by seven wickets; Brackenfell beat Rylands by 25 runs.