Union Stars, on Saturday, successfully defended their crown as the Sedgars SWD Twenty/20 champions when they convincingly won the final against Harlequins Forces by 7 wickets.
Their semi-final victory of 6 wickets against Sussex was tougher challenge after an exciting innings by Lindl Trim (52; 35 balls, 3×4, 3×6) who was well supported by Nathan Murray (27) gave Sussex a good start but the experience shown by the Union Stars bowling attack reduced Sussex to 114/9 after their allotted 20 overs. Union Stars needed 18.4 overs to reach the target.
Harlequins Forces (97/7) who restricted Mossel Bay to a modest total of 93 advanced to the final after a three-wicket victory. Rhupino Plaatjies played a match winning innings (18*) in an unbeaten partnership of 32 runs for the 8th wicket after Harlequins were with their backs against the wall at 65/7.
In the final, Harlequins after winning the toss, batted first and although Crescendo Maksella scored 60 – retired hurt – from 67 balls (4×4, 1×6) the total of 106/4 never posted any challenges for Union Stars who comprehensively reached the target with 25 balls to spare.
The summarised score cards are:
SEMI-FINAL 1
Mossel Bay vs Harlequins Forces
Mossel Bay 93 (18.5 overs) (Jaco Fourie 21; 16 balls, 2×4, Sydwell Williams 3/18, Rhupino Plaatjies 3/21) Harlequins 97/7 (16.2 overs) (Rhupino Plaatjies 18*; 9balls, 2×4, 1×6, Christopher Bosch 3/30, Christo van Schalkwyk 2/15)
Harlequins Forces won by 3 wickets
SEMI-FINAL 2
Union Stars vs Sussex
Sussex 114/9 (20 overs) (Lindl Trim 52; 35 balls, 3×4, 3×6, Nathan Murray 27; 43 balls, 1×4, Nelson Setimani 3/16, Marcello Piedt 3/32, Otneil Baartman 2/11) Union Stars 115/4 (18.4 overs) (Sammy-Joe Avontuur 44; 38 balls, 6×4, 1×6, Ranwill Claassen 2/24) Union Stars won by 6 wickets
FINAL
Harlequins Forces vs Union Stars
Harlequins Forces 106/4 (20 overs) (Crescendo Maksella 60* (r/h); 67 balls, 4×4, 1×6, Warren Sevierus 23*; 30 balls, 1×4, Justin Jordaan 2/9) Union Stars 108/3 (16.5 overs) (Sammy-Joe Avontuur 26* (r/h); 19 balls, 2×4, 1×6, Pieter Stuurman 24*; 21 balls, 1×6, Jean Heunis 20; 23 balls, 1×6, Rhupino Plaatjies 2/16)
Union Stars won by 7 wickets
