Both the men and women of VCC clinched the national title on Saturday. The ladies saw fit to defend a low total of just 87 runs against Quick, which was all out for 75. The men got a retake after losing the 2022 final against HCC. This year the Voorburgers were stronger than the Hagenaars: 295-155.
After two unsuccessful runchases in the 2021 and 2022 finals, VCC now chose to bat first. After the early departure of Nehaan Gigani, Michael Levitt (102) and Musa Ahmad (78) forged a great partnership of a whopping 183 runs for second wicket. Musa’s innings was top, Levitt’s (who – counting practice games – recorded his sixth century of the season) brilliant. Noah Croes (36) and Ryan Klein (24) made their runs very quickly, allowing VCC to almost touch the 300 run mark. For HCC, Hidde Overdijk took 3-78.
Yet with that, the match was anything but played. HCC has a tough team and a deep batting lineup. Vandiar soon fell victim to a beautiful catch by Sybrand Engelbrecht. Staal (36) and Gorlee (39) played fine innings, but other batsmen were a lot less able to perform on the strong Voorburg attack. Especially when Ryan Klein took the ball in hand, it went hard. The international is in the interest of an English professional club and more than made that happen. Numbers 2, 3, 4, 8, 10 and 11 were caught up by Klein. Klein came off the field 6-15.
This confirmed what had already transpired in the earlier rounds of play. In that, VCC was ten points ahead of the number two. VCC was the strongest and most consistent team this year, with an excellent offense, at least four top batsmen, a good goalie and no weaknesses.
VCC 295/7(50)
HCC 155/10(38.3)
VCC won by 140 runs
https://matchcentre.kncb.nl/match/134453-6685151/scorecard/?period=2173957
Handsome title for the women
The women’s title came about in a slightly different way. Because VCC and Quick did not have a field available, the final was played on HCC’s beautiful field. Due to the wet grass, few fours were hit and VCC did not get beyond 87 all out (Babette de Leede 27 runs, Hannah Landheer three wickets).
Game, set and match for Quick, it seemed, but VCC smelled it had a chance. At 24, four Quick ladies were already out. Sarah Asmussen (3-13) and especially Eva Lynch (5-9) proved unplayable. Isabel van der Woning and Caroline de Lange made a valiant effort, but the curtain fell thirteen runs before the target.
Look here for Carlijn van Koolwijk’s fantastic catch:
https://matchcentre.kncb.nl/match/134453-6516506/scorecard/?period=2173761&video=902166
This made 2023 another successful season. And it’s not done yet, because on Sept. 2, the VCC women can also clinch the T20 title. That match is at 4 p.m. at Excelsior ’20 in Schiedam.
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