Photo Credit: Lions Cricket
Last week saw the DP World Wanderers Stadium play host to community club cricket at its finest – from the Macrocomm Saturday Knockout Competition and then the 2022/23 Blackwidow T20 Premier League A and B division finals.
In the Ladies division, it was the Wanderers Cricket Club who took on Delfos Cricket Club in what turned out to be a great platform for the ladies to display their skills, despite the game being reduced to 15 overs a side due to weather. Chasing the target set of 60, Wanderers were guided to victory with thanks to both the batting and bowling of Bianca Booyjens who was named as player of the match.
Macrocomm, the smart stadium solution for Lions Cricket, began their title sponsorship of the Saturday Knockout Competition this season after the success of the competition in its first season. For the second consecutive year, reigning champions Puntans Hill Sports Club (SA2) made the final out of 60 teams. It was, unfortunately, for Puntans Hill, not to be a 2nd trophy, losing out to the University of Johannesburg. Having batted first, Puntans Hill scored 121/6 with Jason Raath top scoring with 42 (5 fours and 1 six). The University of Johannesburg had a slight wobble early on losing their opening batsman – with thanks to Kyle (Milky) Wilson who ended with 3/26. UJ continued to play with flair and confidence, reaching the total in 18.1 overs, with Whitelaw top scoring with 47 and sealing a victory. The Player of the Match in the Macrocomm T20 Challenge Final was awarded to Nick Whitelaw.
In the Premier B division, it was the University of Johannesburg who took on Glenvista Cricket Club in what turned out to be a thrilling final. Chasing the target set of 155, the University of Johannesburg were guided to victory with an unbeaten 57 by Nicolas Whitelaw, who was ably assisted by JP Coetzee on 39*, inclusive of three massive sixes off spinner Nick Botha. Whitelaw was named as batsman of the match, and Chris Wymers named bowler of the match with figures of 2/11.
Next up was the turn of the Premier A League final – Delfos Cricket Club versus Old Edwardians Cricket Club, in a rescheduled match following a rained out Monday. In what was a low scoring final, Old Eds batted first and posted 129/3 in their allotted 20 overs, with Jordan Morris (29) the top score. Delfos CC found themselves on the back foot within the first 7 overs thanks to 3 a piece from Aya Myoli and Matthew Lieberman. However, Delfos CC clawed their way back, thanks to a steady knock by Bruce Jafta, ably assisted by fast bowler Kwena Maphaka who ended on 24* not out, sealing a well-deserved victory. Maphaka was named batsman of the match, with Aya Myoli taking home bowler of the match.
Cricket Services Manager, Reuben Mandlazi commented;
“The finals lived up to our expectations in every way – with the crowds present treated to an exciting brand of cricket that is synonymous with the Lions Cricket brand. A huge thank you to Blackwidow for their continued support of this valuable competition in our pipeline system that serves as our season opener. It was also wonderful to have Macrocomm come on board with our Saturday knockout competition and we look forward to growing this tournament with them. We look forward to more years of this engagement as we grow these tournaments, the players and administrators, exponentially.”
Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright concludes with strong words of thanks to invaluable partners Macrocomm and Blackwidow;
“Blackwidow have backed this tournament wholeheartedly right from the get go. Their support of Lions Cricket and our powerful pipeline is noted, appreciated, and continues to go from strength to strength because of their input. The same goes for Macrocomm who have come on board this year for our Saturday League cricket – we are grateful for their continued support in all that we do and look forward to many more years ahead of unearthing top class cricketers and even better human beings.”
Identified as a focus area and key to a powerful pipeline, Lions Cricket remains wholeheart-edly dedicated and committed to club cricket and is grateful to all partners, administrators, players, coaches, officials, friends and families who contributed to successful competitions and a season in which all participants grew, achieved and remained #ThePrideOfJozi on the field and off it.
