All roads lead to Healdtown for Ngumbela final

IT ALL comes down to the Champ of Champs in Healdtown tomorrow when the final match of the annual Ngumbela Cricket Tournament will be battled out at Ngumbela Park.

Never Give Up CC takes on Fear Not CC in a massively anticipated final between two of the tournaments top teams.

“This will be a tight final, both these teams are very good and we are in for an exciting match,” said tournament organiser Foster Tshona.

“I have a lot of confidence in Fear Not. They had a difficult start to the tournament but they turned it around and have been on an unbeaten run and come into the final in great form.

“But Never Give Up are currently the form team in the competition. They have won all of their matches and will start the game as hot favourites.”

Never Give Up qualified for the semifinals after finishing as the top team in the Alice section, winning all eight of their pool matches, while Five Great Powers CC finished in second place, securing them a semi against the table toppers.

Never Give Up then comfortably triumphed by six wickets in the semi to make the final.

Fear Not qualified for their semifinal as they finished second in the Healdtown section, a place behind the table topping Lamyeni Hard Catch.

Lamyeni were the clear favourites in the semi, having won all eight pool stage games, including beating Fear Not twice. However Fear Not turned the tables and put in a great performance when it mattered most to claim a one wicket win to make the final.

There will also be a new champion this year after last year’s champs Tyotyorha Hard Catch did not qualify for the semis in the Healdtown section.

“What makes the final even more exciting is the rivalry between the teams from Healdtown and Alice,” explained Tshona.

As part of this commemoration, three pavilion stands will be officially launched named after well-known cricket greats to emerge from Healdtown and the surrounding areas, namely, Lindi Churchill Mdlalo, Phila Sigila and Foster Ntshona.

Top local players such as Mkhululi Ntshona, Vuyisa Makhaphela, Jerry Ngqolo, Mncedisi Malika, Aviwe Mgijima and many others have graced the tournament since its inception and it has long been a breeding ground of emerging local talent.

After the final an Ngumbela XI team will be selected from the players who impressed over the competition.

“The best players from all the teams will be selected and that Ngumbela team will then play against the Pineapple Cricket Board team in Port Alfred in September,” said Tshona.

Supporters are expected in their numbers.

The the pavilion unveiling will be at 9am and the game will begin at 10am.