At the start of the cricket league, VCC immediately took two important points. This time the reprise of the 2022 national final against HCC did end victoriously.
Normally the league begins the first weekend in May, but partly in view of the heavy international schedules of the national men’s team, the season opener was moved to April 22. Voorburg CC made an excellent impression and soon had HCC on the ropes. Persistent rain threatened to throw a spanner in the works, but when the game could resume, the Voorburgers struck.
Captain Sybrand Engelbrecht won the toss and chose to field. An understandable choice, because if rain is forecast later in the day, the last batting side often has a tactical advantage.
VCC put pressure on the reigning national champion from the outset. There was a first success for Viv Kingma who edged out Rata Alphonse, who transferred from Kampong, thanks to a beautiful slipcatch by new recruit Michael Levitt.
Ryan Klein, transferred from HBS, took the important wicket of Staal when Karl Nieuwoudt on third man assessed a catching chance perfectly. Moments later, Nieuwoudt bowled the South himself Gorlee for zero and it was 41/3. Logically, new batsman Hidde Overdijk took his time, but before he could accelerate, he was caught; Ryan Klein captured his wicket thanks to a catch by Boissevain in the covers.
Jonathan Vandiar was a different story. From the start, it was clear that the gutsy hitter felt like a fish out of water on the Voorburg grass pitch. In fact, it was substitute Sajjad Kamal who provided the breakthrough when Vandiar (47) saw a leading edge fall into the hands of Musa Ahmad.
At an interval of 107 runs for the loss of six wickets, the rain seemed to come to HCC’s rescue. Still, after several hours of waiting, the game was able to resume. The patience of the Voorburgers was rewarded, as complicated rain rules meant that HCC’s innings was over and VCC needed only 98 runs. The returning Noah Croes remained not out with 31 runs.
The other clubs in the Hague region – top class HBS and top class Quick – could not finish their matches against ACC and Hermes DVS, respectively.
Baggy Blue: new tradition for Kingma, Boissevain, Engelbrecht
Prior to the match, Viv Kingma, Philippe Boissevain and Sybrand Engelbrecht were presented with a cap by VCC president Kobus Nel. “A new tradition that on the one hand indicates how valuable you are to the team and how much your efforts are appreciated, but on the other hand brings with it the great responsibility to pass on the values VCC stands for to future generations of cricket,” said the president.
