George Cricket Club on Saturday became the SWD Cricket Twenty20 Club champions when they defeated Pioneers Cricket Club (from Plettenberg Bay) in the final that was played at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn.
George (111/5) reached the final after a 5 wicket victory against Pacaltsdorp (110/5) in the first semi-final. George reached the winning target after 17.1 overs. The SWD wicket keeper/batsman, Brendon Louw who scored an unbeaten century – 117* from only 74 balls (3×6, 13×4) – was the batting hero when Pioneers (169/4) surprised Union Stars (166/6) as they chased down a competitive score to clinch a place in the final.
In the final Obus Pienaar (92* from 41 balls; 6×4; 6×6), played a destructive innings to allow George to posted 194/3 and thereafter restrict Pioneers to 169/4 for a 33 runs victory.
SEMI-FINAL
George vs Pacaltsdorp United
PACALTSDORP UNITED 110/5 (20) (Reaven Plaatjies 34 (33 balls; 3×4), Ruall De Reuck 25 (33 balls; 3×4), Bailey Aarons 2/31) GEORGE 111/5 (Jaco Janse van Rensburg 23 (30 balls; (1×4), Franco Geldenhuys 22* (32 balls;1×4), Mthobeli Bangindawo 3/34, Clinton Meintjies 2/11)
George won by 5 wickets
Pioneers vs Union Stars
UNION STARS 166/6 (20) (Yamkela Oliphant 68 (47; 7×4; 3×6), Douglas 36* (17 balls; 1×4; 4×6), Pieter Stuurman 26 (13 balls; 4×4) PIONEERS 169/4 (19.4) (Brendon Louw 117* (74 balls; 13×4; 3×6), Dillan Nuys 3/36)
Pioneers won by 6 wickets
FINAL
George vs Pioneers
GEORGE 194/3 (20) (Obus Pienaar 92* (41 balls; 6×4; 6×6), Jaco Janse van Rensburg 27, Franco Geldenhuys 21*) PIONEERS 161/9 (20) (John Koopman 47 (29 balls; 5×4; 2×6), Brendon Louw 32, Marcello Piedt 22) Jaco Janse van Rensburg 5/31)
George won by 33 runs
Caption: The team of George CC who won the SWD T20 title on Saturday are:
Back Row: Shaun Wagner, Obus Pienaar, Reinders Olivier, Franco Geldenhuys, Shane Smith, Arie van Dolderen (Chairman), Johandre Barnard, Pieter-Juan Carstens and Johan Nel.
Front Row: Grant Simpson, Marco de Kock, Bailey Aarons, Gary Wagner (captain), Jaco Fourie and Paul Bosch. Absent: Jaco Janse van Rensburg