Western Province crowned unofficial champions of CSA u19 Week
A spectacular bowling performance by the impressive Alexis Kontopirakis, backed up by outstanding batting from Jemma Botha, led the hosts, Western Province, to a thumping 10-wicket victory over KwaZulu-Natal in the unofficial final of the CSA Girls u19 Week in Cape Town on Thursday.
Kontopirakis produced the goods with the ball early on, tearing through the KZN batting lineup, as she claimed 3/17. Caitlin Wyngaard, who was exceptional throughout the week, provided vital support with a spell of 3/22.
Seshnie Naidu was the only KZN batter to offer serious resistance to the continuous pressure applied by the Western Province attack. She battled hard for a well-played 22 runs, which helped her side to 80 before they were bundled out.
The KZN bowlers, then, had no answer to an onslaught from the in-form Jemma Botha. She wasted no time, racing to a match-winning and unbeaten 52 runs from only 48 deliveries.
Kontopirakis played her part, feeding Botha the strike while contributing a mature 28 from 48 balls, to help Western Province reach the victory target without the loss of a wicket.
Tabitha La Grange, who was arguably the biggest find of this year’s tournament, led the Garden Route Badgers to a comfortable 29-run victory over Border.
She demonstrated why she belonged in the SA Fillies side, which was named after the week, striking 87 runs from only 59 deliveries to lead the Badgers to an imposing 137/4 in their 20 overs.
A balanced all-round effort from the Badgers’ bowlers then kept Border to just 108/9 in reply.
Megan Fourie‘s rapid-fire 87 runs from just 73 deliveries and Emma Tinley‘s haul of 4 for 17 ensured that Eastern Province, like the Badgers, ended their campaign on a winning note, after a 110-run victory over the Eastern Storm.
With Fourie setting the pace, the Eastern Cape side posted a whopping total of 190/6. Tinley’s decisive spell, combined with Olwethu Kwedini‘s 3 for 18, had the Eastern Storm batters shell-shocked, and they stumbled to a disappointing 80 all out.
Boland convincingly withstood Kei‘s challenge to claim a 55-run win, thanks to a determined exhibition of composure and patience from Mia-Lize van der Vyver. She stabilised the Boland innings after they had made a rocky start, finishing with 66 not out from 84 deliveries, to help her team to 115/6 from their 20 overs.
Thanks to a well-rounded team effort from the Boland bowlers, Kei’s run chase never materialised as they were held to only 60/9 in their 20 overs.
Summarised Scoresheet
KwaZulu-Natal 80/10 (Sehsnie Naidu 22; Alexis Kontopirakis 3/17, Caitlin Wyngaard 3/22); Western Province 83/0 (Jemma Botha 52*, Kontopirakis 28*). Western Province won by 10 wickets.
Garden Route Badgers 137/4 (Tabitha La Grange 87; Cayleigh Wanckel 2/21); Border 108/9 (Jenna Roberts 40; Sange Somatamba 3/22, Rusha van Wieling 2/19). Garden Route Badgers won by 29 runs.
Eastern Province 190/6 (Megan Fourie 87*, Iman Bonnasse 39, Extras 33; Payton Coppin 2/24); Eastern Storm 80/10 (Mpumelelo Mashiloane 34; Emma Tinley 4/17, Olwethu Kwedini 3/18). Eastern Province won by 110 runs.
Boland 115/6 (Mia-Lize van der Vyver 66*; Elethu Mataka 1/8); Kei 60/9 (Binsha Robert 10, Extras 24; Anelmarie van Niekerk 2/17, Gizelle Abrahams 2/15, Melanie Flippies 2/9, Van der Vyver 2/1). Boland won by 55 runs.
Other Results
Free State 100/8 (Miane Smit 38, Chane Lang 26; Lethabo Bidli 2/9); Gauteng 101/3 (Thristan Cronje 38, Karabo Meso 23; Tlaleng Masukela 2/14). Gauteng Lions won by seven wickets.
Titans 107/4 (Simone Lourens 58; Tlotlo Bogatsu 3/11); North West Dragons 46/10 (Koketso Lesenyego 13; Lethabo Mthimkulu 3/18, Amone Muller 2/19). Titans won by 61 runs.
Northern Cape 53/10 (Mathapelo Ntsayagae 12, Extras 21; Shakira Malatji 5/12, Nicole Labuschagne 2/13); Limpopo 35/10 (Rethabile Mathlanke 3/5, Omolema Itumeleng 3/5, Elizma Erasmus 2/9, Lucian Swartz 2/16). Northern Cape won by 18 runs.
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