The Sidbury Cricket Club are the new champions of the Grahamstown Cricket Board (GCB) First League, clinching the title at the death after 15 years in the league. They celebrated their win, after they demolished Cuylerville in their own backyard at Shaw Park by a bonus point 7-wicket win.
The GCB First league went down to the wire in deciding who would take the league. Southwell were the log leaders, going into the past weekend expecting to beat Salem on Saturday 16 February, to secure the league title. Sidbury, on the other hand, would need to beat Cuylerville by a bonus point, and have Southwell lose to Salem over the weekend in order to win. This unlikely turn of events, however, would go perfectly in Sidbury’s favour.
Sidbury travelled to Shaw Park to take on Cuylerville, earning a solid victory. They did that in clinical style, dominating in all facets of the game. Cuylerville batted first and were bowled out for a mere 110 runs. Sidbury’s bowlers were on target and bowled accurately from the outset. The home side’s batsmen struggled throughout and could not handle the continuous pressure from the bowlers.
Sidbury’s batsmen came out to bat with one thing on their minds. That was to bat positively and with aggression to chase down the target within 37 overs, in order to gain a bonus point. They achieved that (112/3) in 20.5 overs. Cliff Savage (43*) and Mike Lourens (55) were the biggest heroes for Sidbury.
Salem vs Southwell
Salem took sweet revenge against the favourites, Southwell, and took a massive 163-run bonus point win. This was after Southwell defeated Salem in their encounter earlier in the season. Kevin Bennett (66), Chris Van der Meulen (56), Buster Brotherton (39) and Simon Amm (32), were all on song with the bat for Salem. Josh Van Rensburg (3/67 (10)), Murray Hobson (2/34 (10)), Adrian Reed (2/62 (10)) and Jeff Tarr (1/36 (10)), were the stand out bowlers for Southwell.
Southwell’s batsmen surprisingly struggled with the bat and could only answer with 118 (22.5). Salem’s bowlers were brilliant, bowling economically, and outclassed the batsmen. Kyle Van Niekerk once again starred for Southwell with the bat with an unbeaten 48 runs not out. Leard King was the standout bowler for Salem, taking 4/29 (8).
2nd League
Rainbows vs Station Hill
Rainbows 81 (17)
– Shooter 25, L Mangi 18
* Franklin Jacobs 4/29 (4), Alvin Marney 2/13 (5), Cody Jones 3/12 (5)
Station Hill 82/2 (13)
– Franklin Jacobs 44*
* T Shotana 2/39 (7)
Station Hill won by 8 wickets & bonus point
Southwell vs Cuylerville
Southwell 253
– H Visser 50, R Moss 30, J Maclahlan 30
* S Du Plessis 3/31, C Japp 2/23
Cuylerville 103
– G Pike 51
* Machlahlan 4/33, J Knott 2/21, F Rubidge 2/21
Southwell won by 150 runs & bonus point
Sidbury vs Manleys Flats
Sidbury 157
– J Nel 57, M Stoke 29, R Weeks 27
* Z Lombard 5/78, K Fisher 3/19
Manleys 159/1
– K Fisher 43*, J Balmer 43, B Gleaves 34
Manleys won by 9 wickets & bonus point
Tiger Titans vs Early Birds
Early Birds 97
* L Lwalweni 6/16, M Siko 3/55
Titans 98/2 (14.3)
– L Lwalweni 35, Z Manyati 21
Titans won by 8 wickets & bonus point
