CRICKET NEWS - The first weekend of club cricket, which resumed on Saturday 10 January after the holiday break, was marked by a surprise nine-run wicket victory in a low-scoring contest at the Bridgton Sportsgrounds in Oudtshoorn where George (76 all out) defeated the defending champions, Union Stars I (67 all out).
George, who had had a struggling season thus far, came out on top on a dry and slow spin-friendly track where the spin bowlers dominated, with PJ Carstens (4/22 for George) and Corné Kennedy (4/22 for Union Stars) each bagging four wickets.
At Loerie Park, the Knysna Cavaliers (127/6) bagged maximum points with a four-wicket victory against Union Stars II (126 all out) as the home side only needed 31.2 overs to surpass a modest target.
Sussex 131/7 chased down a tricky target at the Military Sports Club in Oudtshoorn against the Harlequins Forces (129 all out). In reaching the target after only 28.3 overs, Sussex will remain on top of the log thanks to a bonus point victory. Gavaldhino Pietersen (5/37) bagged a fiver for the Harlequins, as was the case for Ravin-Lee Kemmies (5/32 for Sussex). Lindl Trim (44*) played a vital captain’s innings to take Sussex over the line.
In the Pacaltsdorp derby, Pacaltsdorp United (206 all out) continued their challenge for the title with a convincing 130 runs against New Dawn Park on 76 all out. Both Pieter Stuurman (56) and Anaxolo Khitshini (52) of Pacaltsdorp excelled with half centuries.
New Dawn Park, who gained promotion at the beginning of the season, is still without a win and faces relegation at the end of the season.
George beat Union Stars I with 9 runs:
George 76 all out (Corné Kennedy 4/22, Lee-Henry Meyer 2/16, Shirwin Plaatjies 2/11).
Union Stars I 67 all out (PJ Carstens 4/22, Neil Jordan 3/25, Shelby Lindeque 2/9).
Knysna Cavaliers beat Union Stars II with 4 wickets:
Union Stars II 126 all out (Ineal Arries 35, Mario Tarentaal 27, Jayver Philander 20, AB van der Walt 4/11, Jonathan Bester 3/21, Joof Enslin 2/20).
Knysna Cavaliers 127/6 (Maurice White 27*, James Bruiners 3/28).
Sussex beat Harlequins Forces with 3 wickets:
Harlequins Forces 129 all out (Camron Avontuur 43, Marco Jansen 29, Ravin-Lee Kemmies 5/32, Franco Geldenhuys 2/30).
Sussex 131/7 (Lindl Trim 44*, Roual de Reuck 22, Gavaldhino Pietersen 5/37).
Pacaltsdorp United beat New Dawn Park with 130 runs:
Pacaltsdorp United 206 all out (Pieter Stuurman 56, Anaxolo Khitshini 52, Eliah Thorne 22, Dimitri Carelse 4/12, Danvor Muller 2/21, Ivandro Samson 2/27).
New Dawn Park 76 all out (Leegan Moos 29, Ryan Mertin 3/13, Elih Thorne 2/17, Ricordo Majolla 2/11).
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