Menlopark crowned Finsbury League A Section champion

After topping the pool at the end of the round-robin stage of the competition, Parkies dethroned the four‑time defending champion, Hoërskool Waterkloof, in emphatic style to claim the prestigious title.

Menlo scored a commanding 88-run win by successfully defending a modest 160 runs on their home ground. The contest was shortened to 38 overs a side, but it still produced scintillating action.

Batting first, the hosts’ innings ebbed and flowed as they scrambled their way to 160 for 9 from their allotted overs. André Kruyshaar set the standard, making 37 from 36 balls at the top of the order, which turned out to be the highest score of a low-scoring contest.

All‑rounder Johan Bosch, batting at seven, contributed a valuable 33 towards the end of the home side’s innings. His knock, which lasted 38 balls, played a crucial role in guiding Parkies to a defendable total.

Vorster de Villiers and Rivan Booysen posed the main threats for Klofies. They claimed two wickets each, with De Villiers conceding only 19 runs and Booysen going for 20.

When Waterkloof took to the crease, Parkies’ captain, Monré Koekemoer, struck a couple of decisive blows, removing two batsmen, in the very first over. He kept the visitors on the back foot, capturing 2/13 from seven overs as the home side’s bowlers attacked with discipline.

Jordan van Eck was able to outshine his skipper, with his excellent spell being rewarded with a return of 3/15. Murray Hofmeyr snared 2/16, and Jovan Hartman knocked over 2/0, to complete an exceptional performance in the field from Menlopark.

Hartman put an exclamation mark on the victory, snapping up his two wickets in three balls to end Waterkloof’s innings on a paltry 72.