Northern Champions successfully defend their Cubs Week title
STELLENBOSCH. – The Northern Champions are the undisputed champions of Cricket South Africa’s Cubs Week (u19) after they finished the tournament as the only undefeated side.
They bagged a convincing 143-run victory over the Southern Superstars on the final day on the Coetzenburg Oval here. The clash served as an unofficial final as the two teams were the only undefeated sides left before the last day, with both having secured 18 log points during the tournament.
The Champions took control early on as their opening batsman Marcus Bakker (93) was in a destructive mood. He needed only 73 deliveries before his stumps were uprooted by Fayyaad Davids (2/26) just seven runs short of a century.
It provided the perfect platform for the Champions to record the highest total of the tournament, an impressive 307/6, in their allotted 50 overs. Bakker shared a partnership of 111 runs with Muhammad Aslam (41) for the second wicket.
Divan de Villiers (58*) and Juan Steyn (36*) also played vital roles as they added an unbeaten 59 runs for the seventh wicket.
The Superstars’ chances received a further knock when they lost their first four wickets with only 42 runs on the board. Champions’ pace merchant Tristan Luus (3/26) led the attack and removed Sibulele Sibanzana and Siyabonga Venge with successive deliveries, with neither troubling the scorers.
Luus finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker, twice picking up five-wicket hauls in the Champions’ four matches, which led to him removing 15 batsmen at the cheap average of 10 runs per victim.
William Tshoke (3/26) and Bakker (2/13) also bowled well during their side’s final outing.
The Eastern Warriors secured third place, thanks to a 28-run victory over the Western Legends on Tassies Oval. Their captain, Jean Upman (98), once again led the charge.
He enjoyed an excellent week with the bat, scoring a total of 278 runs during the tournament at an average of 56 runs per innings.
Upman faced a mere 77 deliveries and just missed out on a century. He received good support from Sibusiso Mxube (69).
Another batsman who enjoyed a strong week in Stellenbosch was the Legends’ Ludwich Schuld. He was, yet again, his side’s top scorer with 52 runs and finished the tournament with 291 runs in total, which was the second highest tally of any batsman.
Ryan Denston was the pick of the Warriors’ bowling attack as he sent four batsmen back to the change room at a cost of 40 runs.
The Central Gladiators will feel relieved that they managed to avoid the wooden spoon after a four-wicket victory over the Coastal Conquerors on Maties’ C-field.
The Conquerors were restricted to only 169 runs, thanks to a solid overall bowling effort by the Gladiators. Henricus Meyer (2/15), Jaydon Brooker (2/29) and Boaga Gaoraelwe (2/29) all captured two wickets each.
Meyer (36) also opened the batting for the Gladiators with Tahseen Hanslo (35). They got the team from Gauteng off to a solid start before Tjaart Mentz (30*), Gomolemo Phiri (30), and Brooker (25*) all chipped in to get their side across the line.
Summarised Scorecards
Northern Champions 307/6 (Marcus Bakker 93, Divan de Villiers 58*, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka 44, Mohammad Aslam 41, Juan Steyn 36*; Fayyaad Davids 2/26); Southern Superstars 164 (Raeeq Daniels 28, Fayyaad Davids 25, Johan Wege 25, Mbulelo Dube 24, Beni Hansen 20; Tristan Luus 3/26, William Tshoke 3/40, Marcus Bakker 2/13). Northern Champions won by 143 runs.
Eastern Warriors 274/8 (Jean Upman 98, Sibusiso Mxube 69, Jacques van der Merwe 34, Extras 29; Darion Rabie 2/21); Western Legends 246 (Ludwich Schuld 52, Christopher Ford 47, Muhammed Bulbulia 33, Darion Rabie 26, Juan Viljoen 24; Ryan Denston 4/40, Luphelo Mdyesha 2/21, Lithemba Noyomi 2/34). Eastern Warriors won by 28 runs.
Coastal Conquerors 169 (Mfanafuthi Shange 42, Hayden Bishop 34, Blake Simpson 26, Roxton Payne 20; Henricus Meyer 2/15, Jaydon Brooker 2/29, Boaga Gaoraelwe 2/29); Central Gladiators 171/6 (Henricus Meyer 36, Tasheen Hanslo 35, Tjaart Mentz 30*, Gomolemo Phiri 30, Jaydon Brooker 25*; Roxton Payne 2/19, Ross Coetzee 2/25). Central Gladiators won by four wickets.
