GEORGE NEWS - George B won the Six Gun Grill SWD Reserve League division 1 title after a comprehensive 87-run victory against Hartenbos in the final that was played at the REC Ground.
George will add this title to the women's division 1 title that they won earlier this season.
Hartenbos won the toss and decided to bowl first on a very hot and humid day.
Scoring was difficult due to tight Hartenbos bowling, the slowish surface and heavy outfield after rain before the match, but the George batsmen applied themselves well and grinded out every run possible to end on 190/9 in the allotted 50 overs. Kyle Malagas (36; 44 balls, 1x6, 3x4) was the top runs scorer.
Hartenbos came out and, as expected, batted in attacking fashion, especially to try and get ahead of the DLS par score, with rain predicted later in the afternoon.
They got off to a brisk start, but once the first couple of wickets fell, George lay on the pressure and, thanks to accurate bowling by PJ Carstens (3/11 in 10 overs) and Johalin Oosthuizen (3/30 in 6.5 overs), restricted them to 103 all out in the 31st over.
The division 1 title is quite an achievement for George B as it was their first year in this league after being promoted from the Reserve League Division 2 last season.
With this victory George B will be promoted to the promotion league next season.
Summarised scorecard:
George B 190/9 (50 overs) Kyle Malagas 36 (44), Etienne van der Merwe 27 (73), Vian Young 3/34 (10 overs), Dirkie Engelbrecht 2/33 (10 overs).
Hartenbos A 103 all out (30.5 overs) Ewan-Garnett Bennet 21 (18), PJ Carstens 3/11 (10 overs), Johalin 'Boeta' Oosthuizen 3/30 (7 overs).
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