Cup beckons Gelvandale
New chance after narrow miss last season
HAVING come so close last season, Gelvandale will be even more determined for trophy honours when they begin their NMB Premier League cricket campaign tomorrow.
Gelvandale were bitterly disappointed after a protracted boardroom decision saw Jendamark United pip them to the title last season.
But they will want to put that behind them and start afresh when they host northern areas rivals Schauderville in one of three games tomorrow.
Gelvandale have built a solid squad and may have too much power for Schauderville.
United were meant to open their season last weekend, but Mecer Madibaz asked for their round-one matches to be postponed.
So the defending champions will now start against SA Home Loans Union, who suffered a crushing defeat against United Brothers last week.
Both United and Union will be hoping the pitch prepared at the Dan Qeqe Stadium for tomorrow’s game plays better than the one last week.
Madibaz 1 get into the swing of things having enjoyed a successful Ussa Week, where they were edged out in the final by Tuks.
The students surrendered their league crown to United last season, but will be determined to wrest it back.
They have a double-header at the campus this weekend, playing PECC tomorrow and Motherwell on Sunday.
Mechatronic Uitenhage and Seaman’s Renault Old Grey play each other at the Old Muir field on Sunday.
Both had good wins in the opening weekend and both will want to build on that success.
The final game on Sunday has Madibaz 2 entertaining United Brothers.
This weekend’s fixtures are (home teams first, 10am starts): Tomorrow: Gelvandale v Schauderville; Jendamark United v SA Home Loans Union; Mecer Madibaz 1 v PECC Sunday: Madibaz 1 v Motherwell; Mechatronic Uitenhage v Seaman’s Renault Old Grey; Madibaz 2 v United Brothers.
IN-FORM Sidbury opening batsman Grant Stone continued his sublime form as he helped his side to a seven-wicket win against Willows in the Grahamstown first league on Sunday.
Sent in to bat, Willows looked on target for a score in excess of 250 at one stage, but kept losing wickets and ended up posting 225/9 in their 50 overs.
After Sidbury took two early wickets, Willows captain Mohammed Sonday (60, nine fours) and Seviano Jasson (16) shared an invaluable 70-run partnership to get their side back on track.
They were well supported by Edrich George (37), Ruwayne Brooks (16) and Cole Wessels (14 not out).
Greg Evans (3/50) and Nick Brokenshaw (2/36) were the home side’s best bowlers.
Stone and Greg Evans gave Sidbury a flying start, playing positively and aggressively.
The left-handed Stone played some glorious shots in his magnificent innings of 114 not out (19 fours), while captain Cliff Savage (28), Greg Evans (24) and Hugh Oxenham (20no) also made good contributions.
Brooks (2/54) and Marquin Loutz (1/38) were the only wicket-takers as Sidbury reached 229/3 in 42.4 overs.