The Premier Division semi-finals of the Hamilton District Cricket League are set to be played this coming Sunday (September 21, 2014). Cambridge Cricket Club (C.C.) and Oakville C.C. won the division’s two quarter-finals played last weekend. Cambridge now plays Niagara C.C. at the Niagara Cricket Centre and Oakville meets Mississauga Ramblers at the Avebury ground in Mississauga.
Cambridge, with 5 wins and 2 losses in the regular season, pulled off a two wicket win in the quarter-final against NCA Force One, who had 8 wins, 3 losses in regular season play. NCA Force One was bowled out for 136 after 36.1 overs. B Minihan took four top order wickets for Cambridge before A Yunis (33) and A Hudson (22) lead a batting revival. C Lelliot turned the game in Cambridge’s direction by picking up four wickets to end the NCA innings. Lelliot bowled Yunis and ended with 4/23 from 5.1 overs. Cambridge captain Minihan captured 4/24 from 8 overs.
Yunis picked up an early wicket, but S Patel and Lelliot produced a useful partnership, Patel making 28 and Lelliot 20. Four other batsmen reached double figures and with the help of 37 extras, including 26 wides, Cambridge reached a winning 139/8 after 37.5 overs. Lelliot was bowled by S Reddy, who picked up two wickets and conceded just 13 runs from 8 overs. S Patel was caught off F Aziz, who took 3/39 from 7.5 overs.
Opening bat A Ali hit 87 from 99 balls for Oakville against Hamilton in quarter-final action. M Mahmood struck 61, batting at number four, and the fifth batsman in the order, M Bhan, chipped in with a quick 38 from 24 balls to steer Oakville towards a useful total. A. Ahmad clipped 21 runs from 13 balls and Oakville ended on 232 all out from 39.5 overs.
Hamilton opener D Holder gave his side a chance with 55 runs from 30 balls, but despite three useful scores from later batsmen, Hamilton was bowled out for 198 after 38.4 overs and lost by 34 runs. Hamilton’s M Mobeen scored 31, R Jayasuriya 28 and R Thomas 27. I Mohammed took 3/41 from 8 overs and A Ali took 3/38 from 6 overs.
Playoff games continue in Division One on Saturday (Sept 20) with the rescheduled match between Niagara and Oakville that was washed out last weekend. Hamilton beat Oakville “B” in last weekend’s playoff game for this division. Oakville “B” is the second Oakville team playing in the Hamilton District Cricket League’s First Division.
Nine teams competed in this year’s Hamilton District C.L. Premier Division. The First Division had eight competing teams.