SWD’S DESTINY IN OWN HANDS
After a very disappointing performance the past weekend the destiny of the SWD cricket team, with their ambitions to win their first trophy, is now in their own hands after they suffered a bad defeat against Easterns in Oudtshoorn. SWD lost the three day match by 9 wickets following some dismal batting performances.
Griquas (at 139.08 after 11 matches), after convincingly defeating Western Province over the past weekend, is back on the top position of the Three Day leaderboard followed by SWD (134.42 after 11 matches). North West moved into the third position at 124.08 points after 11 matches whilst Gauteng is in forth position at 119.14 points after 10 matches. SWD will play their penultimate fixture against Gauteng in three weeks’ time.
SWD, who were put in to bat, only managed to score 168 in their first innings with Waldo Lategan (43) the top scorer. Easterns, thanks to a brilliant innings by Turmelo Bodibe (148), made 290 in their first innings for a lead of 122. Gurshwin Rabie (4/78 and Rhupino Plaatjies (3/46) were the pick of the SWD bowlers. After an opening partnership of 89 between Ross McMillan (65) and Waldo Lategan (40) SWD was set for a recovery but their middle order faded again and was bowled out of 164 leaving Easterns a target 44 runs to take the honours with nine wickets.
PIETER STUURMAN THE HERO
A brilliant batting display by one SWD’s most famous players, Pieter Stuurman, set the tone for one of the most dramatic victories when the men from Oudtshoorn beat Easterns by 3 runs in the CSA limited over match on Sunday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat SWD, was down and out with their score at 4/4 but Stuurman (98*; 138 balls, 2×6, 2×4) who was unfortunate to not make his first century in this format of the game, led the recovery. He was involved in two valuable partnerships – 52 for the 5th wicket with Erinn Ewerts (30; 63 balls, 3×4) and 100 for the 7th wickets with Christo van Schalkwyk (48; 47 balls, 3×4). This enabled SWD to score 210/8 in their allotted 50 overs.
Easterns, thanks to an aggressive innings by Johan Fourie (78) well supported by Bradley Moses (55) were cruising at 161/5 (34 overs) when SWD staged another brilliant fight back. Ross McMillan (3/32), van Schalkwyk (2/43) and Kobus Scholtz (2/45) took some crucial wickets as McMillan clean bowled Moses in the penultimate over for a three run victory.
The summarized score sheet is:
SWD vs Easterns
SWD 210/8 (Pieter Stuurman 98*, Christopher van Schalkwyk 48, Erinn Ewerts 30, Clayton August 3/32, Bradley Moses 2/23)
EASTERNS 207 (Johan Fourie 78, Bradley Moses 55, Ross McMillan 3/32, Christopher van Schalkwyk 2/43, Kobus Scholtz 2/45 )
SWD won by 3 runs
SWD PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS
Union Stars (170/9) defeated Sussex (111) by 59 runs to claim the top spot on the SWD Cricket Board’s Premier League competition after the last round of matches was played over the weekend. Union Stars finish at 49 points with Sussex (47) in the second place. George (236/3) recorded a very impressive seven wicket victory over Mossel Bay who made (232/6). Byron Haycock (99*) scored a match winning innings for George whilst Michael Rehr (90) was in good form for Mossel Bay. George (38 points) finish third with Mossel Bay (34 points) also securing a place in the semi-finals.
Ramblers (246/9) made sure they will not be relegated next season and also demolished Pacaltsdorp United (192 all out) aspirations for a place in the semi-finals after they won the George derby by 54 runs. Harlequins Forces (96/5) beat Knysna Cavaliers (96 all out) by 5 wickets to secure their place in the premier league for next season.
The Promotion League final on March, 18th will be contested between Pirates United (beat Bongolethu by 183 runs) and Melkhoutfontein (beat Ladismith by 40 runs) who both recorded victories in the semi-finals.
The summarized score sheets are:
PREMIER LEAGUE
Mossel Bay vs George
MOSSEL BAY 232/6 (Michal Rehr 90, Ettiene Roets 56, Tossie Marx 28, Ivan van der Merwe 19*, Heinrich Botha 1/22, Henk Tait 1/31, Wim Basson 1/57, Marlo Pienaar 1/66)
GEORGE 236/3 (Byron Haycock 99*, Gideon Barnard 68, Liberto Carelse 20, Marlo Pienaar 19*, Ivan van der Merwe 1/25, Ricky Lessing 1/32, Gustave Steenkamp 1/32)
George won by 7 wickets
Sussex vs Union Stars
UNION STARS 170/9 (Reagan Booysen 40, Sammy Joe Avontuur 36, Merlin Masimela 28, Jonathan Blom 3/29, Godwin Plaatjies 2/39)
SUSSEX 111 (Ranwill Claassen 29, Lyrique du Plessis 26, Justin Jordaan 3/15, Merlin Masimela 2/15, Erinn Ewerts 2/24, Marco Kammies 2/31)
Union Stars won by 59 runs
Harlequins vs Knysna Cavaliers
KNYSNA CAVALIERS 95 (Jaco Fourie 28, Tiaan Terblanche 21, Byron Jantjies 18, Ronald Dirks 4/21, Phaphama Fojela 2/10)
HARLEQUINS 96/5 (Enverino Swartz 37, Mario Jansen 30*, Francois Bonthuys 2/15, Greg Strydom 2/24)
Harlequins won by 5 wickets
Pacaltsdorp vs Ramblers
RAMBLERS 246/9 (Byron Botha 77, Enver Bezuidenhout 33, Nolan Booysen 25, Angelo Christiaans 21, Monray Willeman 5/63, Roberto Davids 2/71)
PACALTSDORP 192 (Nathan Rhodes 60, Roberto Davids 33, Mario Jansen 23, Marshall de Klerk 4/39, Angelo Christiaans 2/10, Angus Christiaans 2/34)
Ramblers won by 54 runs
PROMOTION LEAGUE – SEMI FINALS
Ladismith vs Melkhoutfontein
MELKHOUTFONTEIN 123 (Nicolas Pietersen 28, Gaschwin Scholtz 22, Michael April 3/10, Pieter April 3/19, Raymond April 3/33)
LADISMITH 83 (Pieter April 16, Jacobus Micheals 3/15, John Bush 3/17)
Melkhoutfontein won by 40 runs
Pirates United vs Bongolethu
PIRATES UNITED 285/7 (Irvin Campher 110, Marshall Philander 51, Justin Plaatjies 32, Ricky Bell 26, Garth Bock 24*, Dumisa Nqgumbuza 3/41)
BONGOLETHU 102 (Hendrik Oktober 44, Gurswin Prins 16, Justin Plaatjies 2/14, Justino Koopman 2/25, Garth Bock 2/30)
Pirates United won by 183 runs
PREMIER LEAGUE SEMI FINAL’S
The SWD Cricket Board semi-finals will be contested on Saturday to determine the two teams that will battle it out for the 2011/12 Premier League title on Saturday March, 15th 2012. The same four teams that played in the semi’s last season will again feature – but in another sequence.
The defending champions, Union Stars, will host Mossel Bay at the Bridgton Sport Grounds in Oudtshoorn. Union Stars have a team full of provincial representation with the likes of Pieter Stuurman, Sammy-Joe Avontuur, Waldo Lategan, Douglas Baartman, Erinn Ewerts and Justin Jordaan. They will however not underestimate the men from Mossel Bay who have match winners like Christiaan Jonker and Christo van Schalkwyk whilst Rickey Lessing, Michael Rehr and Thomas Boucher will be key players for Mossel Bay.
Sussex, who had a very good season, will have home ground advantage when they take on George at D’Almeida. George were the finalists last year and will again rely heavily on Ross McMillan. Sussex have a well balanced team that includes players like Reavan Plaatjies, Mpho Selowa and Emil Esau.
Play in both matches starts at 10:00 and should rain intervene on Saturday, provision is made for Sunday as a reserve day.
CLUB DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Western Cape MEC for Sport and Recreation, Dr Ivan Meyer, recently officiated at a function whereby clothing apparel and equipment was handed over to five clubs that form part of the club development program of the South Western Cricket Board. This initiative is funded by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport.
SWD WOMEN’S TEAM
SWD WOMEN UP AGAINST BORDER AND EP
The success of the SWD Women’s team campaign for the 2011/12 season will be determined this weekend when they take on Border (in East London on Saturday) and Eastern Province (in Port Elizabeth on Sunday) in the Cricket South Africa Women’s Challenge this weekend.
Victories in both previous matches against Border and Eastern Province respectively will give the SWD ladies a confidence boost and underlined the potential of this team. Should they be victorious they will finish third in the West/East pool – ahead of both Border and EP as well as Kei and which will be a significant improvement on the previous season. It will therefore be very important that all players perform well in all the disciplines – an important ingredient for success.
The SWD team will be selected from the following squad: Yolandi Saayman, Mochelle May, Annemie Koen (capt), Ezrin van Aswegen, Sonet Fourie, Monique Booysen, Marnizelle Rabie, Janet Winster, Berenice Goliath, Kaylene Pypers, Michaela Andrews, Elzaan Pietesen, Thalita Johnson and Gail Abrahams
