Richard White
NCU PRO

Andrew White NCU Academy and NCU Under 15's take on District North 31st March 2018

A captain's innings from Alex Haggan and another spell of magic with the ball from Aaron Wright was enough to see the Andrew White NCU Academy side to victory on the hottest day of the tour to date.

The early starts to games in this part of the world favours the side bowling first and this was very much the case as the NCU subsided to 65 for 5 wickets in fourteen overs. With James Hunter joining Alex Haggan the scene was set for a revival of fortune and this pair put together a 61 run partnership that took the total to 126 and with 25 runs from Jack Burton batting down the order The Academy side posted a final total of 195.

An 'interesting' total according to the locals that promised a tight match and although the NCU left almost 8 overs unused their 195 was satisfying given the precarious position they found themselves in early on.

Photo right: Alex Haggan (55 runs) and Aaron Wright (5 wickets for 10 runs), winners of the Senior batting and bowling performance awards and Michael Waite (38 runs) winner of the Junior batting performance versus District North at Durbanville CC.

The District North reply started with a first ball dismissal for the dangerous Simon Schultz, James Magee with the unplayable 'pitched middle, hit top of off!' delivery.

Once again the off-spin of Aaron Wright tore the heart out of the opposition as he claimed a five wicket haul in consecutive days.

Only 15 year old Kai Curran provided any resistance for the home side and his 47 was by far best contribution.

With James Magee returning to claim further two wickets and Matthew Foster doing likewise the win was wrapped up inside thirty overs which brought welcome relief from the gruelling conditions.

Andrew White NCU Academy v District North at Durbanville CC, 31st March
NCU 195 (42.1 overs: A Haggan 55, J Burton 25, O Metcalfe 24; T Wright 2-16, S Schultz 2-18, K Curran 2-20)
District North 84 (28.5 overs: K Curran 47; A Wright 5-10, J Magee 3-12, M Foster 2-13)
NCU win by 111 runs

NCU Under 15's v District North XI
Uel Graham Reports

The NCU Under 15 squad were warmly welcomed at Durbanville CC for a 9.30am start against a Select XI which would prove to be tough opposition for the day. NCU lost the toss and we were invited to bat first to make use of the firm, green wicket.

The tourists were in early trouble at 32 for 3 with Adam Kennedy, Ben Beattie and Matthew Humphreys the early wickets. Sam Topping followed at 47 for 4 having weathered the impressive early quick spell from the District North opening bowlers. The NCU Under 15's were reeling when Matthew Daly fell soon after with the total on 53.

Firstly James Lambert (35 runs off 36 balls) and James Rose (31 runs off 46 balls) shared a stand of 63 off 50 balls, and after both were out in consecutive overs, Michael Waite (38 runs off 42 balls) and Adam Ly, recovering from a groin strain (24 not out off 41 balls), saw the NCU Juniors to a respectable 202 all out.

Best bowlers for Northern Districts were the impressive Ross Martin with 2wickets for 10 runs from his 7.3 overs and Ethan Africa who had 3 wickets for 12 runs from 5 overs.

The Northern District innings began cautiously with Michael Waite and Matthew Daly also bowling well on a bouncy track. Bowlers were rotated to try to make a breakthrough but to no avail and the home side retired both openers, John Johnston on 33 runs and Win van Reenan on 51 runs.

The seam bowlers: Waite, Daly, Lambert, Burke and Ellerby toiled way in the hot Durbanville sun, with Shane Burke the most impressive with 7 overs one wicket  for 22 runs. The spin options also bowled well in parts, with the left arm spin of Carson McCullough and Ethan Hanna complemented by Matthew Humphreys who took one wicket. District North achieved their target in 39th over with NCU claiming only three wickets.

Despite the defeat there was valuable learning experience for the junior squad against a tough opposition.

Easter Sunday will be spent in the hotel complex with some strategic and tactical morning sessions followed by the use of the hotel facilities (pool/beach volleyball/boules) to further add to the growing camaraderie that has built on the tour.

NCU Junior Development Squad v District North at Durbanville CC, 31st March
NCU 202 (43.2 overss: M Waite 38, J Lambert 35, J Rose 31, A Ly 24*; E Africa 3-12, R Martin 2-10)
District North 206-5 (37.1 overs: W van Reenan 51 ret., J Johnston 33 ret., E Africa 23)
District North win by 5 wickets

Tour Photos © Ian Johnston / CricketEurope