In addition to races that last six hours, there is a shorter variant that lasts three hours. In this short and popular competition format, three teams in the Hague region qualified: HBS, HCC and VCC. The fourth finalist is VRA from Amstelveen.
VCC played against HBS on the outfield because the main field was being prepared for a Netherlands international series. The council had mowed the second field brilliantly short.
After a lightning start by the Hague side, Gavin Kaplan caught top batsman Walbrugh on his own bowling (37/1/4.5). Reese Mason gave away some chances, but held firm. Mainly thanks to Lehan Botha (69 runs), 58 runs were made for the second wicket. HBS finished on a high final score, 190 runs for the loss of six wickets. Mees van Vliet took two wickets for 25 runs, Gavin Kaplan 3-31.
Before it started raining hard, VCC made 56 runs in just over five overs with a nail-biting 18 not out by Ryan Klein. As rain and a slippery artificial turf pitch made further play impossible, the Duckworth/Lewis rain rules came into effect. Those pointed to wins for VCC.
HCC beats VCC
At 19/3, things were not looking good for VCC, but some partnerships of around thirty runs and a good innings by Laurens Boissevain (40 runs) against his old club still ensured a final score of 140 runs.
With Viv Kingma (international obligations) present only as a spectator, the Voorburg attack was weakened. HCC’ers McInerney and Staal took full advantage with 60/0 after the first Powerplay.
McInerney was dropped at 59. The miss was not costly, as moments later Stijn de Leede did catch the lefthander with a well-timed leap on the mid wicket boundary. In the same over, Floris de Lange (again good with 3-28) cleared Boris Gorlee with a full toss. With less than a run per ball requested, however, HCC was no longer in trouble. Hidde Overdijk finished it skillfully.
These results mean that – besides VRA from Amstelveen – as many as three teams from the Hague region will be at the T20 final day at May 26. It will be held at VCC’s field at Groene Zoom 20 in The Hague, with games at 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Standings T20:
- HCC 8-12
- VCC 9-14
- HBS 7-10
- VRA 9-10
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