Pacaltsdorp through to T20 final

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CRICKET NEWS - Pacaltsdorp United, the reigning Premier League champions and last season's T20 runners-up, secured their spot in the SWD T20 Competition final by defeating the Knysna Cavaliers in the semi-final.

This win dashed any hopes of successive T20 titles for the Knysna Cavaliers. In the lead-up to the semi-final, both Pacaltsdorp United and the Knysna Cavaliers faced similar circumstances in this year's T20 competition.

They each had two group stage matches washed out by rain but managed to secure victories in their remaining group stage game. Subsequently, both teams emerged victorious in the quarter-finals.

Pacaltsdorp United triumphed at home against Mossel Bay, while the Cavaliers outplayed Pioneers at Loerie Park, setting the stage for an exciting semi-final showdown. The teams were two of SWD's best last season, trading titles in 2022/23.

Cavaliers triumphed over Pacaltsdorp in the T20 final before the men from George got their revenge in the Premier League final, drawing matters level ahead of last weekend's semi-final.

Originally scheduled to be played at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn on Saturday 21 October, both semi-finals were postponed to their reserve day on Sunday due to rain on Saturday.

Heath Richards was key for Pacaltsdorp.

Union Stars 1 and Union Stars 2 faced off in the first semi, and in a nail-biting encounter the former emerged victorious by only seven runs. With expectations high for the afternoon's semi-final, Cavaliers skipper Hayden Sweet won the toss and elected to bowl first on a pitch that looked promising for batters. This did prove to be the case as Pacaltsdorp openers Randy Wesso and Blayde Capell got their side off to a great start.

PHOTO GALLERY: Pacaltsdorp United against Knysna Cavaliers

Their opening stand of 82 came to an end in the 11th over when Cavaliers bowler Blake Linder claimed Wesso's wicket with the final ball of his spell. Capell continued to carry his side's innings before he fell for 60 with Pacaltsdorp on 125-3, courtesy of Cavaliers' Lutho Ngqongwa.

Heath Richards (25) and Warren Bell (34) then caused carnage in the middle overs, blitzing Pacaltsdorp to a total of 187-6 in their 20 overs. Ngqongwa and Jarred Jardine claimed two apiece while Linder and Keenan Vieira took one wicket each.

With a target of 188 and a required rate of 9,4 an over, Cavaliers needed to get off to a good start, and that they did. Sweet and opening partner JP Ellis took Cavaliers to 49 in the first five overs, but Sweet fell for 27 at the hands of Liyabonga Malife. Pacaltsdorp took control of the match from there, with no Cavaliers batter other than Vieira (30) able to get going.

Pacaltsdorp's Liyabonga Malife claimed Cavaliers' first wicket.

Bell dominated the innings with ball in hand for Pacaltsdorp, taking five wickets for only 11 runs in his four overs. JT Richards (two) as well as Malife and Leroi Bredenkamp (one each) were the other wicket takers for Pacaltsdorp. They will take on Union Stars 1 in the final this weekend, while Cavaliers will set their sights on preparing for the Premier League season.

Mesuli Vuba delivers a ball for Knysna Cavaliers. Photos: Amanda du Plessis and Blake Linder