254 runs fell to VCC, including 132 for the first wicket. Still, VCC – with two balls to go – kept the points in Voorburg thanks to fantastic innings from Gavin Kaplan (104) and Noah Croes (96).
Top class VCC already has the T20 title in its pocket and must now defend its national title in the long variant. That won’t be easy, as in late May the Voorburg flagship lost four players to the Dutch national team, which is participating in the World Championships this month in America and the Caribbean.
Excelsior ’20’s Derek Mitchell and Tim Etman took advantage of the weakened attack (no Kingma and Klein) and some missed catching opportunities and made as many as 132 runs for the first wicket. Then VCC took some wickets and limited the damage to 254 runs in 48 overs, thanks in part to three catches and two wickets by Philippe Boissevain.
Without World Cup-goers Levitt, Engelbrecht and Klein, this would still be a big task. Gavin Kaplan and Noah Croes, however, worked with focus to create a huge partnership of 202 runs for the third wicket. Kaplan (104) even recorded his first century for VCC. Croes looked to match that performance, but was bowled out at 96 before the win was in.
It still got exciting, but Philippe Boissevain and Michael Molenaar narrowly managed to keep the win in Voorburg two balls before the end.
Of the other top clubs in the Hague region, HBS reached 191 at ACC, with Matthew de Villiers (92) accounting for nearly half of them. ACC did not exceed 138 (Boddendijk 3-29). HCC – VOC was canceled. Standings at the head of the Top Class: Punjab-Ghausia and Voorburg CC 2-4, VRA 1-2, HBS 2-2.
World Cup matches Netherlands live at NOS.nl and on ICC.tv
Non-experts get explanations in Dutch via the NOS livestream. Connoisseurs who prefer to hear English commentary can create an account – also free of charge – at ICC.tv. From the Hague region, Levitt, Kingma, Engelbrecht, Barresi, De Leede and the Klein brothers may be in action.