KEAGAN MITCHELL
Fish Hoek fast bowler Marvin Williams was in fine form with the ball taking 4/55 on the first day of their two-day fixture against top of the log Claremont Cricket Club in a Western Province Cricket Association (WPCC) first division A match.
However, his performance was not enough as the visitors lost by 10 wickets, on Saturday. Claremont were in the driving seat after the first day as they bowled out Fish Hoek for 92 runs. Player coach Jamie Rood top scored with 26 not out. Kyle Williamson was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4/12 in six overs. Claremont posted 260/8 in their first innings, with lower order batsman James Cameron-Dow making 73 not out.
The men from the far south were 14/1 in their second innings at the end of day one.
On Saturday, Claremont used the early morning conditions to there advantage and bowled the visitors out for 73. Williams said they let themselves down with the bat and struggled to form partnerships on a bouncy wicket.
“As a bowler I enjoyed bowling on this wicket as it paid dividends when I took four wickets. We tried our best to bounce back from the first innings but it was not enough,” he said
Williams, who is the sports co-ordinater at Fish Hoek Primary School, has been in fine form with the ball in the two-day format this season, taking 6/15, 5/40 and 3/51 against Northerns Goodwood, Edgemead and Milnerton, respectively.
“I’ve bowled with some good control and pace, even though the wicket column doesn’t always suggest that. I’m fortunate to be a part of a good bowling line up.
“This has always been our strength, I believe. After all, the best bowling sides are the ones that bowl as a unit,” he said.
Fish Hoek have not been having it all their way this season as they have won two and lost six of their eight matches. Their final game against Tygerberg this weekend will be a must win as both sides are fighting to stay in the league, as well as Northerns Goodwood who sit below Fish Hoek.
“With the regards to our season objective, right now the aim is to survive and make sure we maintain our 1A status. It is a good league, filled with provincial and semi-professional players,” he said.
Williams said something that he will always remember was when he took figures of 9/8 in a two-day fixture against Yorkshire two seasons ago. “It was something special which I will never forget. Everything just went my way. I hope to repeat that performance in the near future,” he said.
His cricketing highlights include representing the Western Province Academy and practising with the Cape Cobras as a net bowler.
The lanky bowler started playing the game at a late age as he was forced to do a summer sport at school and he chose cricket. He said since then the game has grown on him and he can’t imagine not playing cricket.
Williams said cricket is a game that tests your character, mental strength and patience.
“The social side is also something I enjoy, considering we are playing at amateur level, so most of us are there because we love the game,” he said.
Rood said Williams has been the most promising players for the season in terms of performance.
“He has bowled with pace, bounce, swing and, most importantly, intelligence.
“I’m pretty certain most openers in the league would say their toughest spell against the new ball has come against him,” he said.