The Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers women’s team continued their impressive performances in the Cricket South Africa Top 6 competition with a surprise 19-run victory against the DP World Lions at the Six Gun Grill Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn on Saturday.
The Badgers, in their maiden season in the Top 6, have consolidated their position – 4th on the table – and will again compete in the top tier next season.
The Badgers, who were put in to bat, posted a competitive 166/9 in their allotted 50 overs on a sweltering day in the Klein Karoo. A vital partnership of 51 runs from 105 balls for the 7th wicket between the captain, Haroline Rhodes (31; 2×4) and Julandi Saayman (27; 1×4) pictured above, was crucial. Asakha Nyovane (23; 3×4) and Bianca Figeland (21; 3×4) add valuable support wat the bat.. Yolandi Fourie (2/15 in 10 overs) and Kgomotso Rhapoo (3/36 in 10 overs) were the pick of the bowlers for the Lions. Sarah Nettleton bagged 2/30 (in 8 overs).
The chase of the Lions was on track thanks to a blistering half-century by the 2016 Olympic javelin bronze medal winner, Sunette Viljoen-Louw, who posted 56 (from 54 balls; 2×6, 7×4). Julandi Saayman (4/18 in 6 overs) however produced a match winning spell despite a sheet anchor innings by Karabo Meso (61; 4×4). Jané Winster (2/39 in 9.5), who’s figures were initially torn apart by Viljoen-Louw produced a strong finish when she wrapped-up the tail.
In the Twenty20 match that was played on Sunday the Lions wrecked their defeat with a 10 wicket bonus point victory. The Badgers never recovered after being 2/3 and were restricted to a modes 64/4 (20 overs). Miceala Andrews (26 from 35 balls; 1×6, 1×6) was the top performer with the bat whist Fourie again excelled with figures of 2/4 (in 4 overs). Viljoen-Louw (31*) and Jenna Evans (33*) only needed 12.5 overs to reach the target with all 10 wickets in hand.
