KEAGAN MITCHELL
Victoria wicketkeeper Allistair Cottle, 18, was in fine form with the gloves as he took three catches and two stumpings, in a Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) premier league two-day fixture against UWC, in Bellville, last month.
However, his performance was not enough, as his side lost by two wickets.
The visitors were in the driving seat after day one after they posted 231/9 with Byron and Marco Wyngard top scored with 72 and 56, respectively. Aviwe Mgijima was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/40. The home-side were 165/7 at the end of day one.
On day two, the students could only add 32 runs to their first innings score and were bowled out for 197 with Mgijima showing his skills with the bat after scoring 61. Robert van der Ross took 3/50.
Victoria were bowled out for 157 in their second innings with openings batsman Myles Williamson top scored with 69 while the students needed 192 for victory. UWC managed to chase down the total with captain Sharn Gomes leading by example scoring 91.
Cottle said his side played well against a UWC side that had Cape Cobras and Western Province Amateur players in their side.
“We managed to get a 34-run lead in the first innings. Byron and Marco Wyngard showed real class with the bat. When it came to the ball, all our bowlers managed to chip in with wickets. Unfortunately, we were about 20 to 30 runs short at the end of the day,” he said
The middle order batsman who made his first team debut for Victoria did not have a bad season with the gloves and bat. He top scored with 60 not out against St Augustines earlier this season while with the gloves he took 16 catches and three stumpings.
“This season, my stats are not the best. I had a few good batting performances, and I was gracious with the gloves.
“I believe that things can only get better from here on. I reached my goal I set out for myself by becoming a regular member in our club’s first team,” he said.
The Chukker Road-based side did not have a good season, as they lost seven, won one and played out to one draw, which will see them play in the WPCA first division A next season,” he said
Coach Gareth Heemro said his side’s two-day format performance had not been a good one.
“We have a mixture of experience and youth in our first eleven that hasn’t performed to their full potential.
“Consistency is the key to success, and unfortunately we were not consistent enough in the two-day format. We found ourselves in a relegation battle trying to stay in the premier league two-day competition,” he said
However, Victoria did go on to beat WPCC in a WPCA Grand Challenge one-day cup final, at Newlands, last month.
Victoria won the Duckworth-Lewis method after they posted 197/8 in there 50 overs. WPCC were 87/4 in 27 overs when the rain came.
“Our one-day form was the opposite of our two-day form. We will bounce back to be better and stronger next season, challenging for the league.
“Winning the one-day cup has been a massive positive for our club and producing youngsters in our second side to play first-team cricket.
“Success comes from being consistent every time we walk onto the field and represent Victoria. We need to learn to be consistent and results will speak for itself,” said Heemro.
