LEAGUE FIXTURES
With four rounds of matches still to be played some tough encounters can be expected in the SWD Cricket Board premier league fixtures scheduled for this weekend. Log leaders,Sussexwill travel to Rooirivier-rift where they will take on George. Union Stars will host Knysna Cavaliers at the Bridgton Sport Grounds where they can expect a difficult challenge. Mossel Bay will host Ramblers whilst Pacaltsdorp United and Harlequins will contest matters in Pacaltsdorp.
In the Reserve League final’s that will be played at the REC Ground in Oudtshoorn the defending champions, Ramblers ‘B’ will play against Union Stars ‘B’.
The fixtures for Saturday are:
Premier League
Union Stars vs Knysna
George vsSussex
MosselBayvs Ramblers
Pacaltsdorp United vs Harlequins
Promotion League
Melkhoutfontein vs Pirates United
Bongolethu vs Ladismith
Reserve League
(Final: REC Ground) Ramblers B vs Union Stars B
Women’s League
MosselBayvs Oudtshoorn
LEAGUE FIXTURES REPORT
Rain, as was the case two weeks ago, had the final say as no premier league matches were completed the past weekend. All eight teams received two match points each for the no result matches.
In the Reserve League semi-finals that were played on the reserve day, Sunday, Ramblers B and Union Stars B advanced to the finals.
Ramblers, with Eugene Swartz taking 5/37, dismissed Pacaltsdorp for 73. Devon Mulder (28) made the top score for Pacaltsdorp. Ramblers, thanks to a captains knock from Shaun Pretorius (29*) reached the target 74/6 in the 23rd over for a four wicket victory after Clayton Meintjies (4/27) bowled well for the losing team.
In the second semi-final Union Stars B scored 309 (all out) against Sussex B with Jolan Anthony (111), Jean Heunis (85) and Divandre Carolus (42) all making good contributions with the bat. Friedl October (3/18) wasSussexmost successful bowler. Marcello Piedt (6/32) and Elridge Booysen (2/11) was thereafter instrumental in dismissingSussexfor 111 to secure a place in the final with a victory of 198 runs.
In the only Promotion league match that was played over the weekend Ladismith (166/4) secured a place in the semi-finals with a six wicket victory over Selbourne (165 all out)
SWD TO HOST NATIONAL WEEK
The SWD Cricket Board will, as in 2007, hosted the Cricket South Africa Girls U/19 National Tournament in Oudtshoorn. The tournament will be held from 13-17 December this year. Other dates for CSA National tournament are:
•U/13 week: 7-11 December (Durban)
•U/15 week: 8-12 December (Paarl)
•U/17 week: 12-16 December (Cape Town)
•Coca Cola Khaya Majola U/19 week: 16-21 December (Potchefstroom)
SWD TAKES ON NAMIBIA IN WINDHOEK
The SWD team, chasing log leaders Griqualand West on the CSA Provincial Three Day Competitions, will travel to Namibiat his weekend where they will face Namibia at the Wanderers Club. After suffering their first defeat in the competition two weeks ago, Ross McMillan and his troops will be highly motivated to get back on the winning streak again.
Griquas at 116.66 points after eight games is leading the log followed with Gauteng at 100.44 points. SWD, with a game in hand, is in the third place on 97.28 points (after seven matches).
The selection committee boosted the batting line up with the inclusion of Sammy-Joe Avontuur in the middle order. His inclusion in the place of Lyndon Volkwyn is the only change in the team.
SWD, who ironically has won all its previous encounters against Namibia, will also keep a keen eye on the weather in Windhoek since no ball was bowled the past weekend in the fixture betweenNamibia and KwaZula Natal. Cricket Namibia CEO, Graham McMillan confirmed that the outfield has dried out but rain is again predicted for the Namibian capital for the weekend.
The SWD squad for the weekend is: Ross McMillan (capt), Waldo Lategan, Burton de Wett, Christiaan Jonker, Sammy-Joe Avontuur, Brendon Louw, Pieter Stuurman, Kobus Scholtz, Douglas Baartman, Rhupino Plaatjies, Gurshwin Rabie, Christo van Schalkwyk and Justin Jordaan.
