SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - Union Stars successfully defended their crown as the Sedgars SWD Twenty20 champions when they convincingly won the final against Harlequins Forces by seven wickets last Saturday.
Their semifinal victory of six wickets against Sussex was a tough challenge after an exciting innings by Lindl Trim (52; 35 balls, 3x4, 3x6), who was well supported by Nathan Murray (27) giving Sussex a good start but the experience shown by the Union Stars bowling attack reduced Sussex to 114/9 after their allotted 20 overs. Union Stars needed 18.4 overs to reach the target.
Harlequins Forces (97/7), who restricted Mossel Bay to a modest total of 93, advanced to the final after a three wicket victory. Rhupino Plaatjies played a match winning innings (18*) in a unbeaten partnership of 32 runs for the 8th wicket after Harlequins were with their backs against the wall at 65/7.
In the final, Harlequins after winning the toss, batted first and although Crescendo Maksella scored 60 - retired hurt - from 67 balls (4x4, 1x6) the total of 106/4 never posted any challenges for Union Stars who comprehensively reached the target with 25 balls to spare.
The summarised score cards are:
Mossel Bay vs Harlequins Forces
Mossel Bay 93 (18.5 overs) (Jaco Fourie 21; 16 balls, 2x4, Sydwell Williams 3/18, Rhupino Plaatjies 3/21) Harlequins 97/7 (16.2 overs) (Rhupino Plaatjies 18*; 9balls, 2x4, 1x6, Christopher Bosch 3/30, Christo van Schalkwyk 2/15).
Harlequins Forces won by 3 wickets.
Union Stars vs Sussex
Sussex 114/9 (20 overs) (Lindl Trim 52; 35 balls, 3x4, 3x6, Nathan Murray 27; 43 balls, 1x4, Nelson Setimani 3/16, Marcello Piedt 3/32, Otneil Baartman 2/11) Union Stars 115/4 (18.4 overs) (Sammy-Joe Avontuur 44; 38 balls, 6x4, 1x6, Ranwill Claassen 2/24).
Union Stars won by 6 wickets.
Harlequins Forces vs Union Stars
Harlequins Forces 106/4 (20 overs) (Crescendo Maksella 60* (r/h); 67 balls, 4x4, 1x6, Warren Sevierus 23*; 30 balls, 1x4, Justin Jordaan 2/9) Union Stars 108/3 (16.5 overs) (Sammy-Joe Avontuur 26* (r/h); 19 balls, 2x4, 1x6, Pieter Stuurman 24*; 21 balls, 1x6, Jean Heunis 20; 23 balls, 1x6, Rhupino Plaatjies 2/16).
Union Stars won by 7 wickets.
The cricket team of Union Stars that successfully defended their Twenty20 crown on Saturday are, at the back from left: Simon Swigelaar (Honorary Life President), Marcello Piedt, Goliath Ewerts (Team Manager), Sammy-Joe Avontuur, Otniel Baartman, Nelson Setimani, Merlin Masimela, Gurshwin Rabie, Elridge Booysen, Brendon Louw, Pat Sambo (Executive Member). Front: Erinn Ewerts, Justin Jordaan, Jean Heunis, Pieter Stuurman (Captain), Leroy Bredenkamp, Moses Carolus (Executive Member).
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