Northerns looking to up the ante

Northerns Goodwood Cricket Club’s Quewin O’Connor, 23, could not repeat his match-winning performance against Rylands CC a fortnight ago, although his side still managed to beat Yorkshire CC by an innings and one run, in a Western Province Cricket Association(WPCA) division 1B two-day fixture, in Goodwood, on Saturday

Last weekend, Yorkshire’s captain, Nadeem Bedform, won the toss and elected to bat. However, his decision did not pay off as they were dismissed for 115 runs.

Northerns Goodwood’s Johno Botha was the destroyer-in-chief, taking 5/33, supported by Brendon Philander with figures of 3/31.

Despite the home side being dismissed for 262, the opening stand of 146 runs between Larry Dorman and Tertius Raubenheimer was the difference between the two sides.

Dorman and Raubenheimer scored 91 and 57 respectively with Yorkshire’s Zain Davids taking 5/79.

The Chukker Road side then had to follow on and were dismissed for 145 runs, on Saturday. Although, Bedform put up a great fight against the Northerns Goodwood attack, it was not enough.

O’Connor, from Plattekloof Glen, said his side’s performance against Yorkshire was very clinical with everyone contributing to the winning course.

“We played as a team, with bowlers, batsman and fielders doing what was expected from them.

“Although I did not do well with the bat against Yorkshire, I did well with the gloves,” he said.

Despite failing with the bat against Northerns Goodwood, O’Connor has had a great season, scoring 88, 81 and 47 against Somerset West, Fish Hoek and Pinelands Cricket Clubs, respectively.

“I have had a great season thus far and hope to continue it. Yorkshire was the only game where I did not contribute with the bat,” said O’Connor, who has been in fine form with the bat for his side in the one-day format as well, with 76 against Mitchell’s Plain’s Seacrest CC and 73 against Rylands CC not out.

The wicket keeper-batsman is a fan of former Proteas all-rounder Jacques Kallis, whom he believes is the greatest ever player to play the game.

“Kallis outdid himself in all aspects of the game, with the bat, ball and fielding in the slips,” he said.

Captain Jason Underwood said his team’s performance against Yorkshire was a complete team performance.

“Credit should go to Johno with his fiver because he set the game up for us. Then our opening pair of Larry and Tertius who put on a great first wicket partnership was the cherry on the cake,” he said.

Northerns Goodwood will host a struggling Rylands CC, at the weekend, and Underwood believes his side can walk away with the victory.

“If our batsmen can control Rylands bowlers and our bowlers control their batsmen from day one, then the result can certainly be a positive one,” he said.

The boys from the north have had a good season, as they are in the top half of the WPCA division 1B log, with three wins, two defeats and draws.

“The performances from the players have been great, but there were a few close games that we had to win.

“It is all about applying ourselves in all phases of the game, taking our chances and to keep playing a positive brand of cricket,” he said.

Northerns Goodwood’s two-day form has rubbed off on their WPCA Final Challenge one-day cup performance, where they went unbeaten in the pool stages to secure a spot in the semi-finals, set to take place later this year.

“We won four from four. If we can win the one-day cup and gain promotion, then it will be a season to remember,” said Underwood.