North West Girls too strong for Gauteng, Free State wallop Titans
The North-West Girls U/16 side started the CSA Week like a house on fire, beating the Central Gauteng Lions in their tightly contested opener on St Stithians College’s Dlamini Oval.
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Jessica Joshua led the way with the willow for North West as they chased down the 80 runs required for victory with only three wickets left in the shed.
Facing 52 deliveries, Joshua, who opened the batting, smashed five fours as she made her way to a well-played and match-winning 36 runs. This came on the back of a memorable performance with the ball by teammates, Reabetswe Dithipe and Ayanda Mosothane.
Dithipe, the most economical of the bowlers, conceded only 13 runs in the six overs she delivered, building the pressure that in turn led to her three wickets. Mosothane provided support with her return of 2/13 in her four overs.
Gauteng’s Boitumelo Chuene was a shining light in a struggling batting lineup. She batted well for her mature 25, which came from 53 deliveries. However, her contribution would be the only noteworthy one in a tough first outing for the Lionesses.
Free State also made quite a significant statement, opening their account with an impressive 53-run victory over one of the bigger unions of the week, the Titans. Led by a masterful 49 from the bat of Rethabile Nthoda, and courtesy of some wayward bowling by the Titans, the side from Free State set a very competitive total of 164.
Although the ladies from the Jacaranda City conceded 57 extras, there were still some positive signs, especially from Mieke Reynolds. Reynolds kept her line and length tight to boast figures of 3/23 in the nine overs she bowled. However, her efforts, as well as those from Abigail Ellis (2/21) and Palesa Mokheseng (2/33), were soon neutralised by the more impressive bowling from the Free State ladies.
Thanks to Lebogang Rakoeane‘s 4/16 and two wickets from Thando Nelane, the Titans found themselves in heaps of trouble at 107/7 in the 26th over. It was a disappointing collapse after the hard work by Lethabo Rabalao (30) and Mieke Reynolds (25) at the top of the order.
The Limpopo Impalas pushed the Garden Route Badgers all the way in another low-scoring affair. Batting first, the side from the north managed to post only 83, with a contribution of 24 from Tshepiso Dineo Motswi.
Faithlynne Karelse did the bulk of the damage for the Badgers, finishing with 3/22 in the five overs she bowled. A further four wickets between Tishe Frans (2/14) and Jolene Aguls (2/14) had the Impalas against the ropes. They nevertheless fought back spiritedly with some good bowling of their own, notably from Murisi Rikhotso.
Rikhotso’s 4/21 shifted the momentum momentarily in favour of the side from Limpopo, as the Badgers found themselves on 9/5 at one stage, but a scintillating knock from Jeze Campher saved the day. Smashing six fours, Campher contributed a little gem of 36 not out to get her side across the line.
Zoe Knoetze‘s 41 from 69 deliveries helped the Eastern Cape Linyathi to a hard-fought seven-run victory over Northern Cape. Knoetze’s innings enabled Linyathi to post a defendable 122. Bokao Ntuane was the pick of the Northern Cape bowlers, sending three Linyathi batters back to the pavilion.
Northern Cape struggled to put together partnerships but found some help in the form of 40 extras courtesy of the Eastern Cape bowlers. Azomile Silhere (2/24) and Unakho Gwala (2/19), however, did enough with timely breakthroughs to lead their side to victory.
Summarised scorecards:
Central Gauteng Lions 79 (Boitumelo Chuene 25*, Extras 24; Reabetswe Dithipe 3/13, Ayanda Motsothane 2/13); North West 80/7 (Jessica Joshua 36, Extras 23; Samkelisiwe Mthembu 3/23, Nonhlanhla Mthembu 2/22). North West won by three wickets.
Free State 164 (Extras 57, Rethabile Nthoba 49; Mieke Reynolds 3/23, Abigail Ellis 2/21, Palesa Mokheseng 2/33); Titans 111 (Lethabo Rabalao 30, Mieke Reynolds 25, Extras 24; Lebonang Rakoeane 4/16, Thando Nelane 2/18). Free State won by 53 runs.
Limpopo Impalas 83 (Extras 37, Tshepiso Dineo Motswi 24; Faithlynne Karelse 3/22, Jolene Aguls 2/14); Garden Route Badgers 88/8 (Jeze Campher 36*, Extras 21; Murisi Rikhotso 4/21). Garden Route Badgers won by two wickets.
Eastern Cape Linyathi 122 (Extras 45, Zoe Kotze 41, Bokao 3/33, Aumile Binase 2/12); Northern Cape 115 (Extras 40; Unakho Gwala 2/19, Azomile Silerhe 2/24). Eastern Cape Linyathi won by seven runs.
