Roodepoort U18 begin Diadora Jozi Cup campaign in style
Big-hitting sets Roodepoort up to begin their march to DP World Wanderers.
Roodepoort Cricket Clubs’ U18s got their Diadora Jozi Cup title defense off with several bangs on May 21.
Taking on Old Edwardians at Voortrekker Park, Roodepoort would be familiar with their opponents having played them in last year’s final. Those lingering memories, coupled with most players being on a first-name basis thanks to frequent cross-format mingling, left plenty pride to play for. The Diadora Jozi Cup is a community-centric winter competition that aims to create a festival of cricket at rotating club venues across the Central Gauteng district, all culminating with the finals at DP World Wanderers.
Old Eds’ U18s won the toss and chose to set the target. Kian Hilton and Joshua Jacobs set a promising platform, getting their team to the 100-run mark in the 11th over. Their efforts were greatly aided by loose bowling that was heavily punished by a unique tournament penalty system. Among other curveballs in the Diadora Jozi Cup, the second and third wide of an over incurs three and five penalty runs, respectively, with that increasing to seven should a fourth wide be bowled.
Old Eds would reach 137 before Jacobs fell for 30 in the 14th over when he was stumped by Tiaan Goosen. Connor Kuijers skyed one to Nathan du Toit with the score on 153 and Dihan Janse van Rensburg was the final wicket to fall, Goosen again with the stumping. Thanks to 57 penalty runs, Roodepoort gifted Old Eds 77 extras but tight bowling in the last four overs saw them restrict the visitors to 172/3.
The total was competitive but Roodepoort fans were confident in their talented top-order batsman. Goosen and Wian Ruthven walked to the crease first with Goosen happy to take the singles to give his big-hitting partner the strike. Six boundaries, including four sixes, gave Ruthven 39 off 20 balls before a top edge on his 21st ball set him back to the shed with the score on 94.
His eye now in, Goosen stepped up a gear, smashing three fours and six sixes on his way to a man-of-the-match 68 not out off 39 balls. Alex Volschenk chipped in with 40 off 29 balls and aided by 27 extras, Roodepoort chased down the total with nine wickets and five overs to spare. Roodepoort’s U18s have had two matches rained out but this first win will have them set off on their road to DP World Wanderers.
