Five teams from Roodepoort Last Man Stands prepping for nationals

t every level the ultimate reward is the chance to test oneself against the nation’s best.

Several local representatives of the Roodepoort Last Man Stands (LMS) are preparing to take on The Last Man Stands South African Championships. The multi-tiered tournaments will be held at Marks Park at Zoo Lake from September 23 to 25, and leading the Roodepoort charge in the cup competition of the main draw is A&G Dikdorings and 6orNix.

The competition will be split into three divisions, with each brimming with talent of a unique kind. The Masters division exists for the over 35s; Cow Corner is for the more socially orientated teams; and the Cup section is the premier class for the ultra-serious combatants. A total of five teams from the Roodepoort competition will be entered – three in the Cow Corner section and two in the aforementioned grand-slam event.

The margins are fine and the room for error finer as only the top teams in each of the seven three-team groups progress to the Cup knockout section. Teams from across the country will be partaking in this unique festival of cricket, and while the second and third placed teams go into the Plate and Bowl knockout brackets, a shot at the biggest prize is where everyone wants to be.

Lumped in the same pool as a team ranked third in the country as well as quality contender from Pretoria, 6orNix are still confident of a solid showing. “I think we have a good chance even though we have been drawn in what some have called the group of death. We have a good balance between bat and ball, so if things go our way we can make an impact,” said 6orNix captain, Shane Brits.

A&G Dikdorings are no strangers to the national competition, having faced the challenge on four previous occasions. Hoping for one last tournament to remember, they will need to get past Lite Busters! and a team ranked 13th in the country, Under Armours. “We are always excited for the biggest platforms but the level of cricket on show is astonishingly good,” said Dikdorings Manager, David Olivier.

The tournament will be live-streamed on YouTube throughout the weekend, giving everyone a chance to enjoy this entertaining and dramatic version of the gentleman’s game.