GREAT SWD VICTORY
The SWD Cricket team is back in serious business after a superb, convincing victory against log leaders, Free State, in the CSA Provincial Three Day Challenge the past weekend. After a comprehensive victory of 189 runs over the men from Bloemfontein the SWD jumped to the second position of the log and are still in a good position to grab the elusive silverware.
SWD, in the second place on 119.74 points (after 11 matches) must win their last two encounters – vs Namibia in Oudtshoorn (starting on March 21st) and Griqualand West in Kimberley (starting on April 4th). Free State are still log leaders with 122.36 points (after 11 matches). The Gauteng Strikers (117.26 points after 10 matches) in the third position are the favorites, followed by Boland (116.46 points after 11 matches) and North West (114.86 points after 10 matches).
SWD, who won the toss and elected to bat, posted 319/9 (declared) thanks to his second consecutive century by Oudtshoorn-born Waldo Lategan (112; 191 balls, 4×6, 13×4)) who shared a third wicket stand of 125 runs with in-form Glen Addicot (63; 2×6, 9×4). Free State were dismissed for only 146 denying them any batting bonus points. Marcello Piedt (4/34) whose dream debut season on this level continues was the pick of the SWD bowlers. He was well supported by Luthando Mnyanda (2/13), Gurshwin Rabie (2/19) and Ross McMillan (2/32).
SWD, who had a first innings lead of 173 runs, did not enforce the follow-on and built the momentum thanks to a brilliant batting display from Addicot (72; 53 balls, 6×6, 4×4) and Pieter Stuurman (57*; 54 balls; 5×6, 3×4) who added 91 runs for the 5th wicket allowing SWD to declare their 2nd innings on 214/7 – setting Free State a target of 388 runs.
The 20-year old Piedt was again on great form and bagged five wickets – 5/57 – as Free State were dismissed for 198. Quinton Friend (57) was the only Free State batsman who offered resistance. Piedt reached a brilliant milestone by picking-up 50 first class wickets in the season.
•Free State won the Twenty20 match by 9 wickets after a brilliant batting display by Jeandre van Wyk (88*) and Micheal Erlank (58) reaching 159/1 after 14 overs. Pieter Stuurman (37) and Adrian McLaren (37) were SWD’s top batsmen as they posted 154/8 in their complement of 20 overs.
SWD CLUB CRICKET SHOWCASE
The club cricket program in the South Western Districts will reach a climax this weekend when the Premier and Promotion league winners in the province will be crowned.
NMMU (George) and Mayflower will lock horns to determine the Promotion League champion. The George students, with players like Lyndon Volkwyn, Hanno Kotze, Kobus Scholtz, Bronwill Goeda, Bradley Carolus and Gareth Dukes, will be a formidable team to beat and are the favorites but Mayflower cannot be underestimated. Both teams already qualified for promotion to the premier league. The promotion league final will be played at the REC Cricket Ground and will start at 10:00 on Saturday.
Before the showcase of the club competition can take place on Sunday when the Premier League final will be hosted at the REC Ground (starting at 10:00) the top four teams must still battle for a place in the final as the semi-finals will take place on Saturday. The favorites and defending champions, Union Stars, will take on Mossel Bay at the Van Riebeeck Stadium. The three times champions will have the services of players with the caliber of Waldo Lategan, Brendon Louw, Pieter Stuurman and Douglas Baartman whilst Mossel Bay will depend on Christo van Schalkwyk and Wimpie Louw.
Harlequins Forces, who will play in their first semi-final, will host George at the Military Sport Club. Ross McMillan, Adrian McLaren, Glen Addicot and Wessel Hartslief will be key players for George whilst the form of Glenton Stuurman, Luthando Mnyanda and Phabhama Fojela will be important in the aspirations of Harlequins to book a place in finals.
OAKDALE SWD U/19 SUPER LEAGUE WINNERS
Oakdale Agricultural High School from Riversdale is the new SWD Cricket Board u/19 Super League champions. Oakdale, captained by Jan Oberholzer, won the trophy for the third time after they defeated the home team favorites and defending champions, Langenhoven Gymnasium by 52 runs, on Friday. They also won the title in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 season.
Oakdale, who were put in to bat scored 152 thanks to valuable contributions from Ruan Barnard (27) and Arno Moolman (22). Jetro Weyers (3/18) and Brendon Olivier (3/40) were Gymnasium’s best bowlers.
Arno Moolman (5/25) was in superb form for Oakdale as they restricted Gymnasium to only 100 (all out). He was well supported by Stephan Streicher (2/12) and Jeandré Botha (2/18).
Rain denied Glenwood House from George who were in a strong position for their second consecutive U/15 title in the final that was played in George. Glenwood restricted Langenhoven Gymnasium to 125 and were in the driving seat at 64/2 (17 overs) after the match was abandoned due to rain. A minimum of 20 overs per team is required to constitute a result. The U/15 final is re-scheduled for 27 March.
SAREL BOTHA SELECTED FOR WESTERN CAPE INVITATIONAL CRICKET TEAM
A promising young cricket player, Sarel Botha from Hartenbos Primary School, was selected for a Western Cape Invitational XI team that will tour India later this month. Botha represented the SWD U/11 team at the end of 2012 and his performances was recognized, hence his inclusion in the team.
The tournament is organized by former international cricketer Imtiaz Ahmed of the IACA in Bangalore. The IACA tournament forms part of a world-wide cricket development initiative that is aimed at providing a platform and opportunity for young players to display their skills on an international stage and to prepare them for potential higher honours.
In 2011, Simkelo Mvimbi and JP Duvenhage, both from SWD, also played in this tournament.
SWD CRICKET LOOKS FOR EX-PLAYERS/ADMINISTRATORS
DATA BASE OF FORMER SOUTH WESTERN DISTRICTS CRICKET PLAYERS & ADMINISTRATORS
The annual SWDCB (South Western Districts Cricket Board) Awards function will be held on Friday, April, 12th 2013 at the Civic Centre in Oudtshoorn. Besides the standard list of awards the event will also be used to celebrate the Full Affiliate Membership that was awarded to the SWDCB at the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Annual General Meeting that was held in Johannesburg on February, 2nd 2013.
In order to update the data base clubs and individuals are requested to kindly assist in compiling a data base/list of all former SWD players and administrators with the aim to invite such members to the function.
Enquiries must be directed to Gary Moos at 044-272 6604 or e-mail garym@swdcricket.co.za by March 22nd 2013.
SWD WOMENS CRICKET RESULTS
The SWD Women’s team lost both their matches in the CSA Provincial Women’s challenge that was played the past weekend. Thanks to a well played 67* by Annemie Koen they managed to score 167/4 but unfortunately lost narrowly by 1 wicket against Border in East London.
They were well beaten by the strong Eastern Province team who posted 135/7 and dismissed SWD for only 34 to record a 101 runs victory.
The summarized scores are:
Border vs SWD
SWD 167/4 (Annemie Koen 67*, Moniqua Booysen 31, Yolandi Saaiman 16, M.Kichoff 2/41)
BORDER 168/9 (A.Taai 43, Z.Mdebuka 24, G.Fritz 23*, Micheala Andrews 3/22, Monique Booysen 2/38)
Border won by 1 wicket
Eastern Province vs SWD
EASTERN PROVINCE 135/7 (Lanette Pienaar 76*, Claire Terblanche 19, Micheala Andrews 3/25, Berenice Goliath 2/12)
SWD 34 (M.Kapp 4/6, D.van Niekerk 3/6, L.Booysen 2/6)
Eastern Province won by 101 runs
