Devastating final for eSikhawini
Chris Nel blasted 56 for Empangeni, including some huge sixes, one which hit a spectator’s vehicle
The winners of the B division final - Richards Bay Rugby Club: Francois Joubert, Darryn Sedice, captain Heath Gush, Chuck Lukan, Petrus Bornman, Johannes de Bruin, Johann Fick, Roald Minnie; (front) Jacques Herbst, Nicholas Kellerman and Chris Koogje
Justin Gourlie top scored with 74 for the Empangeni Rugby Club
Hendrik van Wyk gets under a high one...
Most punters would have gone with the bookie’s odds on the Empangeni Rugby Club (ERC) winning the Saturday Afternoon League’s first division final against the Richards Bay Rugby Club (RBRC) at Addison Park.
And it would have been a safe gamble as the ERC won comfortably by 31 runs.
But, no one would have betted on eSikhawini losing the second division final to the RBRC’s second team at Veldenvlei. This is a team who didn’t lose one game in the competition and the only reason they didn’t finish with a full house of points was having to share points in the four games that were washed out.
As it is, they finished on 16 points, four ahead of RBRC II.
Opting to play on the astro wicket as the turf one hasn’t seen much action this season, eSikhawini were bowled out for a paltry 60 runs, the first time their batting line-up has let them down this season.
Johannes de Bruin 4/12 in six overs, and Roald Minnie 4/12 in three, were the chief destroyers.
Captain Heath Gush supported with 2/17 in five overs.
Only B Nkwanyana 18, and Sondela Mazimande 17, could walk back to the pavilion with some sort of pride.
The Bay batsmen had no trouble knocking off the required runs, doing so in the 13th over, although they did lose four wickets in the process. De Bruin returned a good all-round performance with 27, supported by Nicholas Kellerman 10.
Mazimande 2/18 in six overs, and Siyabonga Ntuli 2/20 in three, took the wickets. For more photos, visit www.zululandobserver.co.za.
Upcoming
With the Saturday Afternoon League done and dusted, local cricket moves on to the first round of the 20/20 competition this Saturday 27 February.
In pool A, eShowe enjoy home ground advantage against uMhlathuze, while the Empangeni Rugby Club take on Unizul at Addison Park. Felixton and Richards Bay Rugby Club I meet in Felixton, while Kwambo are at home against Village in pool B.
eSikhawini meet Brackenham at Veldenvlei’s turf wicket in pool C.
RBCT do battle against RBRC II on the astro wicket at Veldenvlei and Thandanani travel to take on Mtuba in pool C/D.
