Bowlers top first day of 2025 CSA u16 Girls Week
The CSA u16 Girls National Week kicked off on Tuesday in the Windy City of Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape. The clash between Western Province (WP) and the North West Dragons highlighted a first day that tilted in favour of the bowlers.
Chasing a modest target of 130 runs to win at Woodridge College, WP eventually won the clash by a solitary wicket.
The experienced Miya Lalor, who is already in the mix for the union’s senior ladies’ side, led the chase with a mature 40 runs, while 34 extras gave the Province run pursuit a boost, too.
Earlier, Sofia Raquel Beires, with 3/15, and Morgan Simpson, with 2/27, helped to restrict North West to 129 all out. Gogantle Padi was exceptional for the Dragons, capturing 4/16, which was one of numerous four-fors across the eight matches played on the first day.
Xanalise van Dyk, of the Tuskers, notched the only half-century of the day at Westering, contributing 62 not to her side’s total of 180 all out against Limpopo. Rayne Kitching added a useful 39, while Pontsho Mopayi led the Impalas’ attack, claiming 4/28.
Limpopo mustered 145 all out in reply, which included 20 from their bowling hero, Mopayi. Carli Hughes, with 4/22, Lesego Motsepa, with 3/18, and Siphokazi Xaba, with 3/23 kept their batters in check, leading to a 35-run win for the Tuskers.
Anelisa Mhlongo, of the Dolphins, and Brianna Arthur, of Northern Cape, dominated with the ball.
Arthur was the mainstay of the Northern Capetonians’ comfortable seven-wicket victory over the Mpumalanga Rhinos at Daniel Pienaar, knocking over 5/30 in just 6.1 overs, which comprehensively countered a quickfire 46 from just 34 deliveries by Mpumalanga’s Zelné Hattingh.
The spotlight, however, belonged to Mhlongo, who rocked The Titans with the spell of the day on Woodridge College’s Monahan Field. She laid waste to their innings, bagging 5/16 in six overs. With support from Noxolo Biyela, who snapped up 2/19, they rolled the side from Pretoria for a disappointing 60 runs.
Kendra Kreinecke, then, handled the chase with a patient and unbeaten 25, seeing her to victory by nine wickets in the 14th over.
Despite the extra columns producing some headaches for most of the side’s bowling coaches, the first day, nonetheless, delivered two five-wicket hauls and a further four returns of four wickets. Those figures suggest the batters are in for a challenging time.
Summarised scorecards
North West 129 (Extras 39, Reabetswe Dithipe 29, Luané van Wyk 26*; Sofia Raquel Beires 3/15, Morgan Simpson 2/27); Western Province 130/9 (Miya Lalor 40, Extras 34; Gogantle Padi 4/16, Biopelo Phakedi 3/36, Anita Ackerman 2/22). Western Province won by one wicket.
Tuskers 180 (Xanalise van Dyk 62*, Rayne Kitching 39, Extras 36; Pontsho Mopayi 4/28, Nokuthula Nkosi 2/18, Motlalepule Sebele 2/18); Limpopo Impalas 145 (Extras 40, Palesa Mathebula 22, Beyonce Mathebula 21, Pontsho Mopayi 20; Carli Hughes 4/22, Lesego Motsepa 3/18, Siphokazi Xaba 3/23). Tuskers won by 35 runs.
Lions 183 (Extras 61, Elysia Fourie 39, Mpho Bidli 25; Casey Pretorius 3/30, Leila-Jade van Niekerk 2/20, Thandeka Mngomezulu 2/27); Easterns 157 (Thandeka Mngomezulu 37, Extras 35, Keira Ferreira 21; Bonolo Phalane 4/27, Puledi Sebone 3/28). Lions won by 26 runs.
Boland 158/9 (Extras 57, Amyoli Senti 28, Lize De Waal 20; Annabel Roos 3/16, Josimina Minnie 2/27, Mbali Maxele 2/35, Azomila Silera 2/35); Eastern Cape Iinyathi 34 (Alitha Fotay 8*; Chemeka Williams 3/7, Zozibini Mbira 2/7, Abigail Schuur 2/10). Boland won by 124 runs.
Mpumalanga 145 (Zelné Hattingh 46, Extras 44, Julienne Uys 30; Brianna Arthur 5/30, Tlotang Monnapula 3/41); Northern Cape 149/3 (Extras 51, Simoné Steyn 33, Brianna Arthur 27; Khabonina Mhlanga 1/23). Northern Cape won by seven wickets.
Eastern Province 126 (Aerin Labuschagne 39, Extras 28, Tana Sinclair 20*; Amohelang Ngueanha 3/19, Thando Nelane 2/21, Reneesha Wales 2/23); Free State 127/6 (Extras 48, Mia Daacke 28, Kekeletso Mohapi 21; Tana Sinclair 2/18, Caitlyn Louis 2/34). Free State won by four wickets.
Titans 60 (Jessica Fourie 17, Megan Welgemoed 15; Anelisa Mhlongo 5/16, Noxolo Biyela 2/19); Dolphins 61/1 (Kendra Kreinacke 25*; Carmen Hugo 1/9). Dolphins won by nine wickets.
SWD Garden Route Badgers 62 (Extras 29, Jeze Campher 15; Kwanele Kratshi 3/6, Yolanda Mduma 3/11); Kei 63/5 (Extras 28, Siphosethu Gogozayo 13; Kim Plaaitjies 2/11, Jeze Campher 2/16). Kei won by five wickets.
