Belhar Cricket Club celebrated the promotion of the first XI, rued the relegation of the second team and welcomed the addition of the third team at the end of the 2021-22 Western Province Cricket Association season.
Belhar Cricket Club’s first XI ended the WPCA first division D campaign in second position. They won 13 and lost five matches – and will be promoted to the 2022-23 first division C.
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’13 first division D bonus-point wins’
“When the pre-season started we were a club that was rocked by the departure of quite a number of senior players. We decided to put that behind us and to make the best of the situation,” said Belhar Cricket Club chairman Kevin Lubbe.
“The addition of three very talented players – captain Dillon Plaatjies, wicketkeeper-batsman Jermaine Booyse and all-rounder Adrian Roberts – helped offset those departures and they quickly settled in.
“The pre-season friendlies were an indication that we had a very competitive group of players and that we could hold our own in the league.
“Our season did not kick off as we hoped it would and we missed out on the knockout phase of the Ama20 Competition. We also lost the first match of the first division D season and, disappointment coupled with some doubt about the squad, came to the fore.
“The first team soon settled and began to win their matches. All our victories were achieved with bonus points. The first team eventually ended the league in second place and earned promotion. Mission accomplished.”
Belhar Cricket Club chairman Kevin Lubbe.
The first XI was captained by Plaatjies and coached by the retained Darryl Wymers, who had led Belhar Cricket Club to the 2018-19 WPCA Ama20 Competition first division title.
“It would be remiss not to praise the coach as he, without fail, showed up week after week and managed to get the guys to perform the way they did,” added Lubbe.
“I also have to make mention of the role of the first team captain. He really stepped up and pulled the team together and had the team playing for each other and as a unit. He really grew into the role as leader in the club.”
Belhar Cricket Club’s first XI beat eventual first division D winners Hanover Park Cricket Club twice. But they lost to third-placed Pollsmoor Cricket Club twice.
“The most outstanding and visible aspect was the togetherness the players showed and this resulted in us getting good results against teams that had the upper hand over us in some matches,” said Wymers.
“Our bowling unit stood out this season as we only had a few batting milestones reached. We went on a philosophy train hard and play even harder.”
Belhar Cricket Club head coach Darryl Wymers.
Reserve Division D to E relegation
Belhar Cricket Club’s second XI ended the reserve division D at the bottom of the 10-team standings. They won two and lost 15 matches – and will be relegated to the 2022-23 reserve division E.
“The second team had a poor start to the season and it didn’t get better. The changing of captain and inclusion of experience also didn’t do the trick. Our second team lost all but two of their matches, but they never gave up. They rocked up for practice and matches – something that has to be admired and appreciated,” continued Lubbe.
“Although the second team got demoted, the club’s main team got promoted and it softened the blow. The growth in numbers is great and I foresee the club going from strength to strength.
“Where we started out with two teams in the beginning of the season, we experienced an unexpected influx of players after the December season break that forced us to approach the WPCA to ask if we could enter another team. This, we were allowed, and had three teams for the second half of the season.”