Pioneers women off to great start
Zanté Zeelie pulls the ball away onto the leg-side.
PLETTENBERG BAY - In the first round of fixtures of the 2022/23 SWD Women's T20 Competition, Plettenberg Bay Pioneers got their campaign off to a perfect start with wins from their two matches, against Knysna Cavaliers and Kranshoek Cobras, on Saturday 8 October.
While the men's T20 competition began a week earlier, the women's competition started across SWD last weekend with a few more clubs taking part. Kranshoek Cobras is just one of the clubs that have entered a women's team into the competition for the first time this season.
Cavaliers and Pioneers meanwhile have a few more years' experience under the belt, with Pioneers the runners-up in the 2021/22 competition. Three 17-over matches were played last weekend in New Horizons, kicking off the Knysna/Plett clubs' season.
Cavaliers vs Pioneers
Cavaliers captain Nadia Petersen won the toss and chose to bowl first. Pioneers captain Zanté Zeelie then fired with the bat for her side, scoring 48 runs to help guide her side to 132-5. Rowena Jansen was the pick of the Cavaliers bowlers with three wickets for 31 runs in her four overs. Neidine Solomons claimed the other two.
In Cavaliers' run chase, Petersen scored 14 runs but was out-scored by Kemrodine Swartz (16*) before they were bowled out for 62, handing Pioneers a 70-run win. Jeneva van Wyk was Pioneers' best bowler, taking three wickets for nine runs in four overs.
Pioneers vs Cobras
In the second game of the day, and their first official game ever, Cobras captain Tasman Koopman won the toss and chose to bowl. Van Wyk was in good shape with bat in hand, top-scoring for Pioneers with 34 runs as they reached 144-2. Tamia Oliphant and Lauren Ghal took a wicket each for Cobras.
It was a tough chase for Cobras as they were restricted to 61-8, with Oliphant top-scoring with 10 runs. Van Wyk's fine form for the day continued for Pioneers as she managed to claim six wickets for only 14 runs in her four overs, helping Pioneers earn an 83-run win.
Cobras vs Cavaliers
The third and final game of the day saw Cobras again winning the toss, but choosing to bat first this time. This decision worked in Cavaliers' favour though, as Cobras were bowled out for a total of 28 – Robyn Nkasayi top-scored with five runs. Petersen and Jansen took three wickets each for Cavaliers.
Cavaliers made light work of the chase, reaching the target in under six overs with Petersen (12) top-scoring to steer her side to a nine-wicket victory. Ghal took the sole wicket for Cobras, conceding six runs in her one over. All three sides will be in action again in early/mid-November.