SALEH MARTIN ‘BIG WIN FOR OUR COMMUNITY’

It has been a successful season in that we won the Grand Challenge One Day final, which was played at Newlands.

We played against WPCC and the final was basically a replica of last year’s final which we lost by 40 odd runs. This year was déjàvu, we lost the toss again, we asked to bowl and again WPCC scored 260 runs. However this year our boys were more experienced and we had stronger batting line up which included, Yaseen Vallie, Weshaam Keraan and Mujahied Behardien and Dane Piedt added to the team. We managed to score the winning runs on the last ball of the game. 1ball left with 1 run to get.

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Muneer Alexander hit a four to win the game for AUCC. That night was a historic moment for the Club, first game we ever won on Newlands and it is the first time we won the One Day trophy. What this means is the Club has won all 3 trophies in the 1A, the league, AMA 20 and now the Grand Challenge One Day Trophy.

Superb Individual Performances was by Moeneeb Abass (C) who scored 84 off 109 ball and Yaseen Vallie 54 off 42 balls. Bernard Mukondiwa was again impressive with the ball and is the leading wicket taker in this competition. The most impressive display on the night was the batting partnerships. 1) Opening stand by Aqeel Burns and Moeneeb Abass saw and 80 odd run stand within the first 15 overs 2) Moeneeb Abass and Weshaam Keraan for the second wicket partnership of 50 odd 3) the partnership that sealed the game for AUCC was between Yaseen Vallie and Dane Piedt of 94 which came at more than a run a ball.

Saleh added: “The  picture with older generation holding the trophy is a special pic for me, to have seen the emotion on these men’s faces when the winning runs were hit was priceless, the thanks and hugs I received and the emotions shown, just signified and pointed out the magnitude of this win. For them to have witnessed the Club they have helped built over the years win on the “Mecca” of Cricket Grounds a Final will live with them forever !” This was BIG for our community !

It was Yaseen Vallie last game for AUCC as he bids us farewell and moves to the Eastern Cape to ally his trade, he has been a good servant for the Cobras but more importantly He has been an Excellent Role Model and Club Member to the members of AUCC. The Club Wishes him well!!!

– Saleh MArtin for AUCC, Newlands, Cape Town