It may be the middle of autumn but cricket is still being played and with some passion, too.
A good example of this was an U13 game between Port Shepstone CC juniors (Robbie Coutts Cricket Academy) and a Margate team coached by André Ellapen held at Margate Primary recently.
Both teams fielded 12 players.
Sheppie captain Ruben van Reenen won the toss and chose to bat.
The team made 154 for 1 in 25 overs, with Ruben 52 (retired) and opener Karlo Jacobs 30 making most of the runs.
Extras made up 54 of the runs, with wides and no balls counting one run and boys only bowling six balls for the over.
Leg-spinner Shaden Ellapen, still only in Grade 4, picked up the wicket when Karlo mistimed a pull shot to mid-wicket.
Riley Buys took the catch, much to his delight and the team’s excitement.
They celebrated like they’d won the World Cup – and why not, Karlo is one of the best batsmen in this region for the age group.
Benji Gasa provided the laugh of the day, with some outstanding soccer-style fielding of the ball on the boundary.
But then he could not find it – having raced past – with the ball in the shadow. He looked around frantically while a teammate ran to help. All this time, the ball was only a few steps away.
It had everyone in stitches – and emphasised what the game is all about, having fun.
In response, Margate made 78 all out, with Benji top-scoring with 10.
Wickets were taken by Orlando Lombard (3), Benjamin Kunz (2), Bertu van Reenen (2), Francois Smit, Elijah Langton and Karlo.
Benjamin had not been feeling well but came onto the field to play anyway. A few moments later he was thrown the ball and took a wicket with his very first delivery, clean bowled.
He bowled another over, took another wicket. Clearly, under the weather, he needed to go home and rest and reluctantly dragged himself off the field.
Elijah was another not in 100% fitness, nursing a massively swollen toe, which had seen the nail ripped off and then become infected.
Still, he bowled and fielded like he was in a rugby match, not afraid to throw himself around.
The match was rounded off with a tasty treat sponsored by Tiago’s in Margate.
TEAMS
Sheppie – Ruben van Reenen, Bertu van Reenen, Karlo Jacobs, Jayden Derksen, Aiden Pietersen, Sphephelo Mlambo, Khulu Mlondo, Elijah Langton, Francois Smit, Orlando Lombard, Benjamin Kunz and Damion Bezuidenhout.
Margate – Shaden Ellapen, Riley Buys, Thuso Mavundla, Benji Gasa, Thando Sovithi, Melokuhle Tshapa, Lethabo Khumalo, Alwandle Shange, Eyami Ejara, Kwandile Ejara, Vuyo Yekani and Daniel Rush (on loan, to balance the numbers).
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Fever’s Facebook page
