Teams score big in Castle Premier League 2nd round

GLORIOUS sunshine greeted players last Sunday for the second round of the Castle Premier League.

It was a welcome sight for the province’s club cricketers after many teams had been left stranded on the opening weekend due to heavy rain and wet outfields.

With a chance to get some cricket in, the likes of UKZN, Chatsworth Sporting and Crusaders all cashed in, scoring big wins on the day.

In the game of the weekend, Delta produced a stunning performance to beat the dangerous King Cetshwayo on their own patch.

The day belonged to Junaid Syed who scored a brilliant 135. His clean striking took the Overport-based team to a competitive total of 226.

Trevor Kietzmann led the north coast side’s response, but his halfcentury wasn’t enough as they fell 12 runs short in the end.

Steven Thompson fell four runs shy of a century as Crusaders posted a target of 242 against Berea Rovers. Marco Gouveia was excellent with the ball, taking three for 23 to help dismantle Rovers for 122.

Amanzimtoti will look to quickly forget their disappointing showing against Sporting. They were bowled out for 78 with Austin Pruthab grabbing four wickets. Theesan Naicker then compiled a composed 34 as Sporting reached their target with nine wickets to spare.

Southern Natal’s Josh Henry took all his sides wickets against a consistent UKZN team who put on 254/5 in their 50 overs.

Meshan Lanka (37) offered lone resistance to the university outfit’s bowling attack who skittled the South Coast team for 97.

Defending champions Clares made light work of Ilembe. Despite being bowled out for 193, they bowled economically to strangle Ilembe’s reply, restricting them to 118/9.

In the Women’s Premier League, Simplex Crimson beat Amanzimtoti by a mammoth 185 runs.

Nadine Moodley produced a superb display, scoring 165 not out in a remarkable innings.