George retains SWD T20 title
George Cricket Club retained their title as SWD Twenty20 champions on Saturday at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn with a comprehensive 111 runs victory against Harlequins in the final.
Earlier Harlequins advanced to the final after a nail-biting 1 run victory against Union Stars in the first semifinal. Harlequins, who recovered from 8/3 thanks to vital contributions with the bat by Ndumiso Mvelase (73; 42 balls, 3x6, 8x4) and Julian Jacobs (32*) reached 143/6 after their allotted 20 overs.
In their run chase Leroi Bredenkamp (43) and Pieter Stuurman (28) held the Union Stars innings together, but the result was determined with the last ball of their innings when they ended on 142 (allout) effectively defeating Union Stars by just one run. Franklin Stuurman bagged 3/27 and Rhupino Plaatjies 3/30.
George booked their place in the final after the NMU Madibaz, the other semi-finalist, was suspended from the SWD league structures for the rest of the 2019/20 season.
The NMU Madibaz club, who forfeited all three their three scheduled reserve league fixtures so far this season, was suspended (in terms of clause 15 (b) of the SWDC Administrative rulings from all competitions for the duration of the season.
In the final George, thanks to a dominating batting performance by Neil Hornbuckle (94; 56 balls, 1x6, 12x4) and Johandre Barnard (50; 33 balls, 2x6, 5x4), posted a competitive 203/2 and thereafter dismissed Harlequins for 92 runs to record a comprehensive 111 runs victory. Ayabonga Anthony (2/6), Jaco Janse van Rensburg (2/10), Sydwell Williams (2/12) and Wessel Hartslief (2/16) all bagged two wickets each.
George will now represent SWD in this weekend’s Western Cape qualifying round matches against Cape Town CC (Western Province) and Robertson CC (Boland). The matches will be played at Boland Park in Paarl the Callie de Wet Cricket Ground in Robertson.
The summarised score cards are: Union Stars vs Harlequins Forces
HARLEQUINS FORCES 143/6 (20 overs) (Ndumiso Mvelase 73, Julian Jacobs 32*, Renaldo Meyer 2/22) UNION STARS (142 all out) (Leroi Bredenkamp 43, Pieter Stuurman 28, Yamkela Oliphant 21, Franklin Stuurman 3/27, Rhupino Plaatjies 3/30)
Harlequins Forces won by 1 run. FINALS
George vs Harlequins Forces
GEORGE 203/2 (20 overs) (Neil Hornbuckle 94, Johandre Barnard 50, Jaco Janse van Rensburg 25, Franklin Stuurman 2/41)
HARLEQUINS FORCES (92 all out) (Lesley Maksella 23, Julian Jacobs 21, Ayabonga Anthony 2/6, Jaco Janse van Rensburg 2/10, Sydwell Williams 2/12, Wessel Hartslief 2/16)
George won by 111 runs.