GH Smit plays into the leg side early in his innings yesterday. (Picture by Daniel Guerin, 0575674)
IT TOOK GH Smit just one innings to show what an influential signing he will undoubtedly be for Rovers this summer.
The reigning GCA player of the year opened his account for his new club with an almost nonchalant 63 at the top of the order to lay the foundations for a comfortable 36-run victory over Optimists as the top flight of the Evening League began last night at Port Soif.
The visitors were made to pay for putting down a chance off the South African early on as Smit struck four fours and three sixes in his stay at the crease. Another Rovers newcomer, Robbie Moore, also impressed with the bat and played his part in a third-wicket partnership worth 70.
He finished unbeaten on 36 as Rovers posted 130 for five in their 16 overs.
Tom Magson was the pick of the Optimists bowlers with two for 25, while Paul Cooper also claimed a couple of wickets, including the prize one of Smit, well caught in the deep by young Jake Le Marchant.
Optimists never really looked like getting close to their target, although Tim de Putron middled three big sixes in his 35 from 21 balls.
He had just taken 10 from successive Rob Turville deliveries when he went for another big shot and the Rovers seam bowler uprooted his middle stump.
Turville ended with two for 26 and Tim Duke claimed two for 20 as the game petered out.
‘In these short games it can be pot luck, but the quality of our new signing [Smit] shone through,’ said Rovers skipper Stuart Bisson.
‘It was the partnership between GH and Robbie that set us up for the win.’
Meanwhile, a second-wicket stand of 83 between Spencer Noyon and Ross Kneller helped St Saviour’s beat Corinthians at the KGV.
Set 97 for victory, Noyon made 38 and Kneller an unbeaten 42, both at quicker than a run a ball, as their side got home with more than two overs to spare.
Earlier Mike Savage had taken three wickets for Saints.
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