GARDEN ROUTE CRICKET NEWS - Knysna Cavaliers, who dominated the Six Gun Grill SWD Premier League competition over the past season, were crowned the champions on Monday after a three-wicket victory against Plett Pioneers.
It was a fiercely contested final at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn.
A brilliant all-round performance by Keenan Viera ensured victory for the men from Knysna.
Cavaliers played in their first final since 2005/06 and the previous time they won the trophy was in 1998/99, when they played under the banner of Knysna Cricket Club.
Pioneers posted 164 after Mark Vermeulen (48) gave them a solid start.
Marcello Piedt (34) made a valuable contribution with the bat down the order but a brilliant spin-bowling spell by Viera (5/36) denied Pioneers a competitive score.
In the run chase by Cavaliers, a sixth wicket partnership by Viera (64*) and Mesuli Vuba (22) steered the men from Knysna to victory as they reached the target (168/7) in the 37th over for a famous three-wicket victory.
Knysna Cavaliers vs Plett Pioneers
PLETT PIONEERS 164 all out (45 overs) (Mark Vermeulen 48, Marcello Piedt 34, Robert Cunningham 20, Keenan Vieira 5/36, Sean Whitehead 2/22, Francois Bonthuys 2/27)
KNYSNA CAVALIERS 168/7 (36.5 overs) (Keenan Vieira 64*, Todd Walker 44, Mesuli Vuba 22, Marcello Piedt 3/24, Keith Oraai 2/22)
Knysna Cavaliers won by 3 wickets.
The Cavaliers. Back: Sean Whitehead, Blayde Capell, Todd Walker, Irvin Campher, Mesuli Vuba, Francois Bonthuys and Hayden Sweet. Middle: AB van der Walt, Blake Linder, Quinton Visagie, Mark McCabe and Keenan Vieira. Front: JP Ellis (captain).
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