Sparta pushed defending champions VCC all the way but lose by 27 runs

Juandré Scheepers aan bat. ©Arjen Smelt

TKcricket.com: At the Bermweg, Gavin Kaplan’s phenomenal season for Voorburg continued with a vengeance, his 107 and four for 36 the difference between the sides as Sparta 1888 pushed the defending champions all the way and lost by just 27 runs.

Kaplan was ably assisted in the early stages by opener Cedric de Lange, who hit a maiden Topklasse half-century, and at 131 for one Voorburg also seemed to be on the way to an imposing total.

But Sparta’s pace attack fought back, and with Cameron Fraser claiming five for 45 and Martijn Snoep four for 38 the last six wickets fell for the addition of just 23 runs, and Voorburg were all out for 217.

Another top-order collapse, engineered mainly by Kaplan and young Alejo Nota, left the home side on 66 for five, but they were rescued by a fine knock from Juandre Scheepers, whose 84 came from 85 deliveries and included nine fours and two sixes.

His effort needed more support from the other end, however, and Sparta were eventually dismissed for 190.