Top cricket weekend for CX
REGIONAL - Last weekend's round of fixtures in the SWD Premier League yielded positive results for Knysna and Plett's clubs. Knysna Cavaliers trumped log leaders Pacaltsdorp United while Plett Pioneers swept aside Harlequins Forces.
The latest round of Premier League fixtures was played on Saturday 24 February, with Cavaliers and Pioneers both enjoying home fixtures as we enter into the business end of the season. The two CX clubs have had mixed fortunes this season, as Cavaliers remain in the run for a play-off spot and Pioneers are in a three-way fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League alongside Harlequins Forces and Mossel Bay.
Going into the weekend Cavaliers were third on the log, needing a win to ensure second-placed Union Stars 1 don't drift too far out of their reach. Facing an uphill battle against log leaders
Pacaltsdorp United, the home team was tasked with batting first at Loerie Park.
An early wicket rocked the Cavaliers' innings, but not before captain JP Ellis top-scored with 67 runs to bolster his side's chances. Keenan Vieira also contributed with 55 runs as Cavaliers were eventually bowled out for
197. Heath Richards and Matthew Thorne claimed three wickets each for Pacaltsdorp, Ricardo Majolla took two, and Angus Christians and Liyabona Malife took one apiece.
In their run chase Pacaltsdorp struggled to find their feet and really get going. Thorne (34) shone with the bat too, while skipper Randy Wesso scored 23 runs of his own, but their side was bowled out for 120, giving Cavaliers a 77-run triumph. AB van der Walt took three wickets for the Cavaliers, JP Ellis and Blake Linder took two each, and Francois Bonthuys and Keenan Vieira each took a wicket.
In New Horizons in Plett the home side batted first too, as Pioneers won the toss and chose to set the benchmark. A great century from Kyle Jacobs (104) along with runs from Jean du Plessis (38) guided Pioneers to 292 all-out. Wayne Witbooi and Jacques Campher took three wickets each for Harlequins Forces.
The men from Oudtshoorn struggled in their run chase, but Campher (41) and Marshelino Plaatjies (35) were able to gather some runs as Harlequins were bowled out for 175, giving Pioneers a 117-run victory. Wayne Oraai's efforts were crucial for Pioneers, taking four wickets. Marcello Piedt contributed with a valuable three wickets, followed by Mbuyiseli Malanga (two wickets) and Jacobs (one wicket).
Cavaliers remain in third place, while Pioneers have risen to sixth on the log.