Madibaz in surprise first loss
PECC win could open up league
PORT Elizabeth Cricket Club (PECC) gave the chasing pack a glimmer of hope by handing Mecer Madibaz 1 a shock defeat in their NMB Premier League fixture at St George’s Park on Saturday. The students had been clinical in their previous seven matches and shown few signs of what was to come in suffering their first defeat of the season at the weekend.
But PECC have enjoyed patches of success this season and if anyone was going to beat the favourites for the title it was going to be them.
Underlining their giant-killing capabilities, the St George’s Park team also accounted for defending champions Jendamark United the following day to complete a remarkable double.
For them, the title may be out of reach because they have suffered some soft losses along the way.
But that does not mean they will be throwing in the towel.
Madibaz 1 remain in pole position for honours in a double-round league schedule during which all the teams play 22 games each.
But the varsity side have numerous catch-up games to play because of the December-January break, so there is still ample time for them to be tripped up again if they become complacent.
That is exactly what log-leaders United Brothers and second-placed Mechatronic Uitenhage will be hoping for in the remaining matches.
Defending champions United have probably missed the boat in trying to retain the title they won last season, although they too will be giving the remainder of their game a full go.
There were some superb performances in the league at the weekend.
The best of those saw PECC’s Andrew Umeed (100no) and United’s Remano Esau (105) making hundreds and Josh Dodd (PECC) taking five for 28 with the ball.