Historical triumph on cricket field

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Mossel Bay Cricket Club made history on Saturday as their first team won their first trophy since the unification process of SWD Cricket in 1991 when they clinched the SWD T20 title by comprehensively defeating George in the final by 56 runs.

This followed after a hard-working 21 runs victory against Harlequins Forces in the first semi-final.

In their semi-final against George, the eventual champions posted 175/6 thanks to a half century by Christo van Schalkwyk (50; 37; 3x6, 3x4). Hanno Kotze (3/24) and Etienne Botha (3/30) both bagged three wickets as Harlequins was dismissed for 153 after 18.4 overs.

Jaco Janse van Rensburg (73; 53 balls, 1x6, 11x4 with the bat) and Wessel Hartslief (3/16 with the ball) were the heroes in the second semi-final as George (136 all out), who dismissed the NMU George Madibaz for 93 advanced to the final with a 43 runs victory.

In the final Kotze (91; 53 balls, 4x6, 6x4) paved the way with a brilliant innings to enable Mossel Bay reaching 181/6. George never got going and was restricted to 125/6 inspite of a good fight by Franco Geldenhuys (65; 49 balls, 2x5, 6x4) to secure Mossel Bay a 56 runs victory.

Summarised score cards:

SEMI FINAL's

Harlequins Forces vs Mossel Bay
MOSSEL BAY 174/6 (20): (Christo van Schalkwyk 50, Hanno Kotze 30, Etienne Botha 25, Lesley Maksella 2/21, Jermaine Le Kay 2/44).

HARLEQUINS FORCES 153 (18.4 overs): (Jaco Marx 41, Jermaine Le Kay 36, Letlotlo Sesele 21, Hanno Kotze 3/24, Etienne Botha 3/30, Ruaan Moore 2/26).

Mossel Bay won by 21 runs.

George vs NMU Madibaz George
GEORGE 136: (Jaco Janse van Rensburg 73, Franco Geldenhuys 22, Bailey Aarons 3/22, Coenie Nel 2/17, Todd Walker 2/28).

NMU GEORGE MADIBAZ 93 (19.4 overs): (Jean du Plessis 33, Johandre Barnard 22, Wessels Hartslief 3/16, Divan Coetzer 3/20, Grant Simpson 2/13).