Gonubie Sixes explode into action

For the next few weeks, Border cricket lovers will gather on Thursday evenings for the 2023 six-a-side Gonubie Sixes tournament at the Gonubie, Old Selbornians, the Feathers (Bohemians) and Hamilton grounds.

Players for the eight teams were auctioned off earlier and by eight companies.

Matches, played over five eight-ball overs, all start at 5.15pm.

At Gonubie last week, the Novate Supers beat the Optimum Security Responders off the last ball of the game. The Responders scored 120 (Jason Niemand 60), while Josh Dodd with 56 and Tre Gilbert, who scored 48, controlled the run chase for the Supers.

The Stephenson Strikers made 74 against the Chemex Thundercats, with Marvin Lazarus contributing 45.

The Thundercats reached the target off only 23 balls, with Jonty Crainey, 46 not out, and Dan Stephen, 32 not out, knocking off the runs in a grand opening partnership.

The Charteris & Barnes Challengers sneaked home against the Work Africa Hotshots at Old Boys. The Hotshots batted first and thanks to 42 from Robin Knott, scored 99.

The Challengers were guided home with a chanceless innings of 63 from Josh van Heerden.

At Bohemians, the Sovereign Food Mavericks beat the Buco Force.

The Mavericks made an impressive 110 in their innings with Jacques van der Merwe smashing 74 off only 21 balls. In reply, the Force were restricted to 92 in their allotted overs with Brody Taylor scoring 42 not out.

On Thursday spectators can join in the fun by taking a onehanded catch for a lucky draw prize, while the players’ bin challenge will add to the excitement.

Each week, at one of the venues, a wheelie bin will be set up outside the boundary and if a batsman hits the ball directly into the bin, his name will go into a draw for a R5,000 prize.

Thursday’s matches are: Challengers v Thundercats at Gonubie; Force v Mavericks at Hamilton; Responders v Mavericks at Old Selbornians and Strikers v Supers at The Feathers.