Hudson keeping their powder dry
The Hudson Park High School first cricket team will head into the Coca-Cola Schools national T20 finals with their adrenaline pumping after winning their third T20 title of the season, beating Dale College by six runs in the Algie Cup final on Wednesday afternoon.
Hudson had already triumphed in the Border final and Coastal Focus School final of the Coke T20 competition earlier in the season. They were beaten by St Andrew’s College in the Warriors final in a bowl out after poor weather meant the match could not be played.
Coastal Focus champs Hudson will head into the nationals in high spirits and look to end their impressive season on a high note.
“As far as I believe, Hudson has everything it takes to go to the national week and perform at the highest level. They have had a fantastic season,” said Border services manager Deon Muller.
“Most of their wins have been based on team performances, with several individuals putting up their hands throughout the season. So that will set them up well for the nationals.
“They will also be boosted by the return of their SA U19 player and captain, Nonelela Yikha, so it is looking good for them.”
Hudson will be battling it out in a tough pool A along with Lions representatives St Stithians, Cobras reps Paarl Gym and St Andrew’s Bloem from the Knights.
They will get things under way on Friday morning against Paarl before fronting up against the tournament defending champions St Andrew’s in what should be a cracking encounter on Friday afternoon.
Saturday morning will then be a mouthwatering matchup as they take on St Stithians, who beat them in the 2017 final, so it should be an enticing encounter with Hudson looking to get some revenge.
Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning’s matches will then be cross-pool affairs based on placings, before the top two teams battle it out in the final on Sunday afternoon.
Warriors champs St Andrew’s also head into the competition in good form, having gone unbeaten through the Coke T20 competition, and they will be keen to put in a good showing at the nationals.
They find themselves in group B along with Dolphins reps St Charles, Waterkloof of the Titans and Inland Focus side Queen’s High.
“St Andrew’s have a number of quality cricketers and I think they can go far in the competition,” said Muller.
“For me what would be great if the two Eastern Cape teams came up against each other in the final. So I would love to see that happen.”
St Andrew’s take on St Charles in their first match of the tournament on Friday morning, before coming up against Queen’s in the afternoon.
Saturday morning’s match is then against Waterkloof, before they see who they will come up against in the afternoon, depending where they finish.
The action will get under way each day of the finals at 9.15am with the morning match, while the afternoon clash starts at 2.15pm.
Most of their wins have been based on team performances