MARK WARD
Primrose pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season to start their second half campaign in the Western Province Premier League on a winning note.
Having been sent in to bat by the visitors, Rondebosch, at the Rosmead Avenue sports ground, they clinched only their second in dramatic fashion when Abdullah Bayoumy took the last Rondebosch wicket in the 42nd over to register a much needed eight-run win.
It would appear now that player/coach Qaasim Adams, a former Cape Cobras and Titans player, is taking a break from his commitments as batting consultant for the current Western Province team.
With the national competitions taking a month-long break due the SA20, Adams will surely be playing all matches during this period.
The match took a dramatic turn when Adams cleverly brought Bayoumy back on for his third spell and the talented paceman did just what his coach ordered him to do.
Bayoumy then smashed Eduard Visser (4) with his third delivery of his ninth over to clinch victory for his side.
Bayoumy emerged as Primrose’s best bowler taking 3/36, with Eksteen 2/28 and Daiyaan Davids taking 2/13 in just three overs.
But before Bayoumy’s heroics it was Maahir Eksteen who made the breakthrough for the homeside when he trapped Rondebosch’s Ali Shaik (0) lbw in the 40th over, with the visitors needing 11 runs to win and with Morne Pentz on 50* the visitors look set for victory.
While the bowlers produced their magic, the batters Abdul-Qadeer Salie with his patient 41 from 78 deliveries and opener Qaasim Salie (27) helped Primrose to reach 186 in their 50 overs.
Primrose, however, remain in 11th spot on the table while the result is a major setback for Rondebosch who are aiming to dethrone log leaders Western Province Cricket Club from the top spot.
The WP-club side, meanwhile, thumped Milnerton by nine wickets with all-rounder Justin Broad taking 6/26 in just 7.5 overs.
Other results: Bellville beat Rylands by eight (8) wickets; Western Province Cricket Club beat Milnerton by nine (9) wickets.