Champions dominate final day to seal perfect Cubs Week campaign
STELLENBOSCH. – It may have already been old news that the Northern Champions had secured this year’s title as champions of Cricket South Africa’s Cubs Week by the start of the final day’s play.
However, the Champions did not take their foot off the accelerator in their last clash against the Southern Superstars at the Coetzenburg Oval. The champions finished this year’s tournament unbeaten after defeating the Superstars by six wickets.
The Superstars were bowled out for just 72 runs, with only Luca Plekker (28) offering any notable resistance. The Champions’ Kamogelo Matlala (3/13), Rivoningo Chauke (2/9), Jalen Mannikam (2/10), and Xander Venter (2/18) applied relentless pressure with the ball.
Vihan Pretorius (18*) and Riley Muller (14*) guided the Champions past the target in only the 17th over.
Venter finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker, claiming 12 scalps at an average of 17.2 runs per dismissal.
Rowen Rajah (Coastal Conquerors), Sulaymaan Gangat (Eastern Warriors), and Kyle Butler (Central Gladiators) each took ten wickets during the tournament. Rajah was his team’s strike bowler, while Gangat and Butler are both spinners.
The Eastern Warriors ensured they avoided the wooden spoon with a 73-run victory over the Coastal Conquerors. Randy Syce (41), Samuel Scheckter (41), Corbin Tidbury (33), and Cayden Wilson (29) all made valuable contributions to their team’s total of 237 runs.
The Conquerors’ Seth Simpson (70) led his team’s charge on the final day. Joshua van Biljon (28) also chipped in, securing his position as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.
Van Biljon finished with 219 runs from his team’s five matches at an average of 54.8. His 28 runs narrowly pushed him past teammate Ben Hockly, who ended the tournament on 214 runs, including three half-centuries.
Hockly, who opened the batting for the first time this week, unfortunately fell for a duck after just three deliveries.
The Central Gladiators claimed their first win of the tournament by beating the Western Legends by five wickets.
The victors’ Troy Gordon (61) and Tahseen Hanslo (38*) played significant roles in the triumph.
Summarised Scorecards:
Southern Superstars 72 (Luca Plekker 28; Kamogelo Matlala 3/13, Rivoningo Chauke 2/9, Jalen Mannikam 2/10, Xander Venter 2/18); Northern Champions 76/4 (Vihan Pretorius 18*, Riley Muller 14*; Timothy Short 2/20). Northern Champions won by six wickets.
Eastern Warriors 237 (Randy Syce 41, Samuel Scheckter 41, Corbin Tidbury 33, Cayden Wilson 29, William Beamish 26, Sulaymaan Gangat 21; Roxton Payne 3/32, Rowen Rajah 2/29, Bonga Mapanga 2/35); Coastal Conquerors 164 (Seth Simpson 70, Joshua van Biljon 28; Luphelo Mdyesha 3/10, Samuel Scheckter 2/26, William Beamish 2/30, Cayden Wilson 2/30). Eastern Warriors won by 73 runs.
Western Legends 196/9 (Caiden Seleka 47, FG Botha 46, Eduard Dreyer 25, Naudé Botha 22, Olebogeng Scott 21; Kyle Butler 3/34, Munib Ayob 2/36); Central Gladiators 197/5 (Troy Gordon 61, Tahseen Hanslo 38*, Kamogelo Phiri 31, Extras 27; Cullen Kakora 1/20). Central Gladiators won by five wickets.
