The Smartoffice Connexion SWD cricket team returned from Benoni on Sunday after their best performance since the induction of the Africa T20 Cup which is in its third season now.
The Oudtshoorn based team won their first two encounters and lost against the eventual pool winners of Group A, Nambia on Sunday.
On Friday SWD, put into bat after losing the toss, managed to compile a competitive 146/5 from their 20 overs thanks in the main to the contribution of Hendrik Kotze (38 off 28 balls, 6 fours) and Letlohlo Sesele (43 off 42 balls, 2 fours and a six). The pair laid the foundation with Sesele eventually being dismissed off the last ball of the innings. Easterns lost vital early wickets in their reply being 3 down for 43 midway through the 8th over but Grant Thomson produced a captain’s innings of 50 (42 balls, 4 fours and a six). It was only after Thomson was dismissed with 27 still needed off 13 balls that SWD could have felt they were nearly home. Glenton Stuurman took an excellent 2/17 and he was well supported by George Linde (1/18) and Dane Paterson (1/28).
Obus Pienaar starred with bat and ball as SWD recorded a comfortable five-wicket victory over Western Province on Saturday. The all-rounder first sent down a tight four overs that cost 24 and included a wicket, before striking two fours and a six in an unbeaten 32 off 32 balls to lead his side past the 122-run victory target with 13 balls to spare. After winning the toss and bowling, they restricted WP to just 121/5. Pienaar did well with the ball, but local boy Glenton Stuurman was even better with one for 15 with the new ball, while the pick of the bowlers was George Linde (2/19).
On Sunday Namibia progressed to the semi-finals for the first time after they crushed South Western Districts by six wickets to ensure they finished top of Pool A polished bowling display was key in setting up the win for the Africans, who managed to restrict their opponents to just 104/7, before cantering home with 11 balls remaining. Obus Pienaar top-scored for the Oudtshoorn-based team with a run-a-ball 39. The 105-target was always going to be difficult to defend and Stephan Baard (30) started things well for the Namibians, before Craig Williams top-scored with 36 in 29 balls to complete a fairy-tale weekend for the visitors. Glenton Stuurman (2/17) and Sammy Mofoking (2/31) were the pick of the bowlers for SWD.
