Milnerton duo Van der Poel, Pillay hold their nerve to seal win

TONY VAN DER POEL and David Pillay of Milnerton went head-to-head with world-class performer Gerry Baker and Kepler Wessels in the quarterfinals of the Warwick men’s national Pairs Championships at Western Province Cricket Club ( headquarters), and sealed the deal on the extra end after the two sides finished regulation play tied at 13-13.

Van der Poel had been given the chance to wrap things up with his final wood on the 15th end, but his shot ended well past the jack that had been pushed back by opposing skip Baker.

A dramatic finish played out in front of a fair-sized bank made more tense by Baker’s decision to pull the mat up with Wessels in command of the mat.

The ploy was for Wessels to play the running shot to ditch the jack and close out a win that never seemed on the cards earlier on, after a slow start had them trailing 7-0 and 10-4.

Van der Poel and his trusty lead had played well up until that point and would have felt they were well on their way to booking a place in the last four.

Baker and Wessels, who struck up a partnership in 2001 when they combined to win the SuperSport Skins tournament at Knysna and a hefty R30 000 cheque, and who had reached the national fours final last, hit back strongly with Wessels more than holding his own up front against Pillay and Baker.

Wessels, come the moment of truth, could not find the trail on two attempts on the final end. Pillay had one crack at it before Van der Poel called him to play a draw, which he did by touching the jack to claim the advantage.

It was then left to the two skips to settle matters, and Baker struck first blood when he found the desired shot as he placed the kitty in the ditch but with his toucher a bit too far away for his liking.

He was able to put another delivery close to hold game, but Van der Poel responded to the challenge at the third and final time of asking with a perfectly weighted shot to find the shot bowl and clinch a deserved victory.

“It was a tough game and I’m chuffed we came through at the end,” said Van der Poel. “To beat the No 1 bowler in the country (Baker) and Kepler is a feeling like no other. Credit to my lead David who played a great game and throughout the tournament.

“It’s fine achievement for Milnerton to have two teams through to the last four. You just never know, it could be a final between us and our clubmates Waynand Pool and Raymond Milne.”

Today sees the semi-finals of the Open/Senior singles, pairs and fours taking place at WPCC and the locals are in good shape to claim two titles, at the least. Alan Meadows ( Edgemead) will square off against EP legend Geoff Gower in the last four of the seniors while Philip Finkelstein (Constantia) lines up Allan Gordon (JBA/Randburg). Gower, a four-time winner of the All Cape and a twotime holder of the national pairs, harbours hopes of earning his national colours at senior level.

“That’s what I’m aiming for now that I’ve turned 60,” he said. “I’m in the squad and a good showing in the nationals may help in swaying the selectors’ minds.

“I’ve been around for a long time and it would be great to play for my country at this level of the game.”

The Open singles and pairs competition ( by the time of going to press) could realise a situation where title contenders Joel Roëbert (WPCC/Mowbray) and Kevin Williams ( NBA/ Maritzburg) are having to play six games over the final two days if they progress through to the finals tomorrow.