The Villagers are back – with love

Gallery

KNYSNA CRICKET NEWS - Cricket returned to Rheenendal for the first time in three months, with the Knysna Villagers welcoming three sides to take part in two exhibition matches on Valentine's Day.

The matches were played on Sunday 14 February, on the cricket fields developed by Keith Cretchley adjacent to Totties Farm Kitchen, a few kilometres outside Rheenendal.

Including the Knysna Villagers, a total of four teams enjoyed the return to cricket, with George Villagers, Villagers Ramblers and Villagers Youngsters making up the total.

Villagers Youngsters took on the Knysna Villagers on Abbottsfield A, the signature field, while George Villagers and Villagers Ramblers went head to head on the PG Bison A field across the road.

Prior to the commencement of the games, the teams took part in a moment of silence in honour of Robyn Abbott who passed away recently. It was Abbott after whom Abbottsfield was named, having played a large role in cricket in and around Knysna for many years and never missing a Villagers game in Rheenendal.

Photo gallery: Valentine's Day cricket in Rheenendal

The matches were held in good fun and in a social spirit, so while there was official scoring, not much mind was paid to the scores other than determining the winners.

Wessel Croukamp plays a lofted straight drive.

Each innings was limited to 30 overs, and if a batsman reached 30 runs they were asked to retire and make way for others in the lineup to have a bat too.

While heavy rain had been forecast throughout the day, the heavens shined upon the Villagers as they were able to play non-stop with only a few light showers passing over.

At the end of the day it would be the Villagers Youngsters that emerged victorious on Abbottsfield A, beating their opponents by 95 runs with the Villagers Ramblers overcoming the George Villagers by 97 runs on PG Bison A.

The matches, while exhibitionist in nature, also served as preparation for a Villagers League commencing at the end of the month.

Neville McLean plays a ball towards the covers. Photos: Blake Linder