Northern Champions remain unbeaten as Cubs Week heats up in Stellenbosch
STELLENBOSCH. – The Northern Champions will enter the penultimate day of Cricket South Africa‘s Cubs Week (for u19 teams) as the only unbeaten side.
On Monday, it was once again the team’s tail-enders, Mohammed Rasool (75) and Xander Venter (51), who played a decisive role in a victory over the Central Gladiators. The pair shared a partnership of 93 runs for the seventh wicket to help their team finish on 207/8.
On Sunday, the duo steered their team to a win over the Coastal Conquerors with a partnership of 105 runs for the eighth wicket.
The Gladiators are still searching for a first victory after the first three days of the event. Despite the defeat, the team’s Christian Sabela (3/20) and Kyle Butler (2/29) can be satisfied with their bowling performances.
Chasing 208 to win, The Gladiators were restricted to just 127 all out, with Wade McQuinn (55*) providing lonely resistance. The Champions’ Kamogelo Matlala (2/22), Xander Venter (2/24), and Nico Loggenberg (2/24) did most of the damage.
The Coastal Conquerors got back onto the winning track, handing the Western Legends a six-wicket loss. The heroes for the KwaZulu-Natal team were Joshua van Biljon (95*) and Bonga Mapanga (72*), who shared an unbeaten partnership of 149 runs for the fifth wicket.
The Legends scored 224/9 in their 50 overs, with Eduard Dreyer (54), Caiden Seleka (35), and Christian Kind (31) doing most of the talking with the bat.
South Africa u19 fast bowler Dayalan Boyce (3/30) and leg spinner Shiraz Perumal (3/45) each dismissed three Legends’ batsmen.
The Eastern Warriors caused a bit of an upset when they ended the Southern Superstars‘ unbeaten run, winning by 19 runs.
The Warriors batted first at Tassies Oval and posted 207/8 thanks to solid contributions from Cayden Wilson (71*), Dawid Vermaak (43), and Samuel Scheckter (31).
The team from the Eastern Cape then tightened the screws with their spinner Sulaymaan Gangat (5/35) claiming a five-for.
The Superstars were bowled out for just 188. Gangat received good support from Luphelo Mdyesha (3/26).
Summarised scorecards
Northern Champions 207/8 (Mohammed Rasool 75, Xander Venter 51, Christian Sabela 3/20, Kyle Butler 2/29); Central Gladiators 127/10 (Wade McQuinn 55, Kamogelo Matlala 2/22, Xander Venter 2/24, Nico Loggenberg 2/24). Northern Champions won by 80 runs.
Western Legends 224/9 (Eduardo Dreyer 54, Caiden Seleka 35, Christian Kind 31, Dayalan Boyce 3/30, Shiraz Perumal 3/45); Coastal Conquerors 227/4 (Joshua van Biljon 95*, Bonga Mapanga 72, Thandolwethu Zama 22, Faizaan Kajee 2/30). Coastal Conquerors won by six wickets.
Eastern Warriors 207/8 (Cayden Wilson 71*, Dawid Vermaak 43, Samuel Scheckter 31, Timothy Short 3/20, Sherwin Plaatjies 2/33, Taywin Adams 2/41); Southern Superstars 188/10 (Gideon du Toit 34, Taywin Adams 23, Timothy Short 22, Michail Tarentaal 22, Daniel Cooke 21, Sulaymaan Gangat 5/35Luphelo Mdyesha 3/26). Eastern Warriors won by 19 runs.
