Knysna Cavaliers knocked out in T20 quarter-final

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KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna Cavaliers' progression through the SWD Cricket T20 competition was halted last weekend when they suffered defeat at the hands of George Cricket Club.

The Cavaliers had secured a spot in the quarter-finals courtesy of three wins in the group stages that saw them qualify top of the group and unbeaten. Having overcome fellow Knysna club Pirates United as well as Plettenberg Bay clubs Kranshoek Dolphins and Plett Pioneers, the Cavaliers were in high spirits heading into the weekend.

They however faced the task of overcoming a strong George side that had earned the best net run rate of the entire competition in the group stages. This was largely thanks to a resounding 176-run win over NMU in the final game of the group stages.

The superior net run rate meant George would be handed the home field advantage and the Cavaliers had to travel to Rooirivierrif Sports Grounds in George for the quarter-final clash on Saturday 20 November. Captains JP Ellis (Cavaliers) and Johandré Barnard (George) carried out the toss before the game, and the visitors got the luck of the draw and elected to bowl first.

Photo gallery: Cavaliers knocked out of T20 competition

The decision paid off with Cavaliers claiming a wicket in the first over, but Barnard was resilient and made his way to 42 before he was dismissed. Eventual top scorer Mark Adrianatos (44 runs) came in at number four and courtesy of a good partnership with Franco Geldenhuys (28 runs) helped steer George to 144-6 in 20 overs.

AB van der Walt was the Cavaliers' best bowler with two wickets for 21 runs in his four overs.

The Cavaliers' run chase got off to a good start with 12 runs off the first over, but soon after, the runs dried up and the innings began to stagnate. Opening batsman Hayden Sweet top-scored for the Cavaliers with 33, but only three other batsmen reached double figures for the visitors.

Geldenhuys shone with the ball too, claiming four wickets for 19 runs in four overs as George restricted their opponents to 100-9 in 20 overs. The 44-run win sees George advance to the semi-finals.

Hayden Sweet was the Cavaliers' top scorer. Photos: Blake Linder