Rugby chaps take on their cricketing neighboursBRC

On Saturday 27 September BCC hosted the BRC (Brackenfell Rugby Club) for an inaugural Cricket Club vs Rugby Club fixture. Festivities were indeed kicked off in a festive mood as the team representatives agreed to break the mould by slightly bending the rules to accommodate both teams.

It was decided that batsman were to retire on 25 n.u.n. only to be able to return once the remainder of the batting line-up were all back in the shed. Overs were fixed on 35 overs per team based on the notion that everyone "need to have a bowl" and that the full complement had to be bowled. The toss of the coin was also replaced by a mutual decision that BCC need to bat first in order to get maximum game time. Everyone smilingly agreed to these terms.

BRC started off brightly in the field taking a few early scalps. Granted this was achieved by those who have turned the arm in the past decade! An early opportunity was however missed when first team loose forward and captain, Corne Neethling, put down what many believed to have been a "sitter" at second slip off the first ball of the game. Everything went swimmingly for the BRC XI until the arrival of the talented Rainard Archer.

Archie impressed all involved with his sweet timing of the ball and array of strokes. It wasn't long before Archie and captain Arthur Mostert had to depart reaching the 25 n.u.n. milestone. Archie was back on the square within minutes, apparently needing "batting practise", to torment the forwards with some more sublime stroke making. Everyone involved was however very impressed with the swing bowling of fullback Nathan Kolbe (aptly renamed the "Faimont Express"), who took care of a few of the BCC middle order batsman as well as the left arm orthodox spin bowling of the 14-year old Faffie Briel (son of first team forwards coach, Jacques Briel).

After Anelda Lucas declared her undying love for first team flyhalf Rudie Hasse during the break, roles were reversed. BRC held out for a couple of overs to see off the opening bowlers with the "wide count" the main contributor to the score board. After the fall of the first wicket everyone was momentarily in awe of the batting antics of 15-year old batsman Boeta Chamberlain (a replacement player). Boeta scored freely all around the park and everyone was in agreement that Boeta is one for the future. BCC will do well to secure Boeta's services for the upcoming season.

After Boeta's forced retirement, he was replaced by the hard hitting 8thman AB Nel. AB wasn't holding back and quickly reached the retirement milestone. It is best to be said that Boeta and AB was reunited shortly afterwards with the remainder of the batting line-up, with the exception of Faffie Briel, not providing a lot of resistance. AB then entertained the crowd with some more hard hitting ending his day on a well-played 52, which included a monumental maximum over "cow corner". That one smelled its first blade of grass in the middle of the B rugby field.

After the fat lady sung the BCC XI reigned supreme. BCC score 185/7 and BRC replied with 160/13(!) after a full 35 overs were bowled by both teams. But somehow this was not important in the context of the day. As per standard procedure the BRC XI was afterwards exposed to the "spin-run-kick" baptism, to the amusement of everyone in attendance. This was followed up by the customary braai.

In conclusion, everyone had fun and it was agreed that this should be a yearly event. Thank you to newly appointed BCC coach Riaan Oosthuizen for making the necessary arrangements. All the best to BCC for the upcoming season. Your progress will be eagerly followed and supported by BRC.

Till next time.