GEORGE CRICKET NEWS - George Cricket Club retained their title as SWD Twenty20 champions with a comprehensive 111-runs victory over Harlequins in the final at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn on Saturday.
George booked their place in the final after NMU Madibaz, the other semi-finalist, was suspended from the SWD league structures for the rest of the 2019/20 season.
The NMU Madibaz club, who forfeited all three their scheduled Reserve League fixtures so far this season, was suspended from all competitions for the duration of the season, in terms of clause 15 (b) of the SWDC administrative rulings.
In the final, George, thanks to a dominating batting performance by Neil Hornbuckle (94; 56 balls, 1x6, 12x4) and Johandré Barnard (50; 33 balls, 2x6, 5x4), posted a competitive 203/2 and thereafter dismissed Harlequins for 92 to record a comprehensive 111-runs victory.
Ayabonga Anthony (2/6), Jaco Janse van Rensburg (2/10), Sydwell Williams (2/12) and Wessel Hartslief (2/16) all bagged two wickets each.
George will now represent SWD in this weekend's Western Cape qualifying round matches against Cape Town CC (Western Province) and Robertson CC (Boland). The matches will be played at the Callie de Wet Cricket Ground in Robertson.
Earlier, Harlequins advanced to the final after a nail-biting 1-run victory against Union Stars in the first semi-final. Harlequins, who recovered from 8/3 thanks to vital contributions with the bat by Ndumiso Mvelase (73; 42 balls, 3x6, 8x4) and Julian Jacobs (32*), reached 143/6 after their allotted 20 overs. In their run chase Leroi Bredenkamp (43) and Pieter Stuurman (28) held the Union Stars innings together, but the result was determined with the last ball of their innings when they ended on 142 (all out). Franklin Stuurman bagged 3/27 and Rhupino Plaatjies 3/30.
The summarised score card is:
George beat Harlequins Forces by 111 runs:
GEORGE 203/2 (20 overs) (Neil Hornbuckle 94, Johandré Barnard 50, Jaco Janse van Rensburg 25, Franklin Stuurman 2/41). HARLEQUINS FORCES (92 all out) (Lesley Maksella 23, Julian Jacobs 21, Ayabonga Anthony 2/6, Jaco Janse van Rensburg 2/10, Sydwell Williams 2/12, Wessel Hartslief 2/16).
George Cricket Club successfully defended their crown as SWD Twenty/20 champions with a comprehensive 111-runs victory against Harlequins on Saturday.
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