The league phase of the Southern KZN T20 cricket Division 1 and Division 2 league came to an exciting close last Sunday, with playoff places up for grabs in both leagues and a winner-takes-all match between Crusaders and Super Giants (the local version) with promotion to Division 1 at stake.
The games at PSCC featured Mustangs against Hit Men CC, with Mustangs needing a big win to leapfrog their opponents into sixth and grab the final spot available in the playoff rounds.
Alas, for them, it was not to be as the Hit Men secured the victory by 34 runs with a bonus point to secure their place in the quarter-finals, with youngster Waheed Khan playing a sterling knock of 35 in difficult conditions.
Knockouts vs Port Edward and Knockouts vs Ballies rounded off proceedings with low-scoring affairs, with Knockouts winning both fixtures with bonus points to jump to finish second on the Division 1 table.
In Kokstad, PSCC defeated Kokstad Bombay by six wickets to condemn Bombay to elimination.
The excitement at Suid Natal was palpable with Division 2 table toppers Henns Vikings taking on Legends B, then a crunch game between Crusaders and Super Giants and a Division 1 clash between local powerhouses Spartans and Legends CC.
Legends B provided the upset in overcoming the hitherto unbeaten Vikings by seven runs in a tight game.
Legends B posted 155 in their innings, and in reply, Henns Vikings could only muster 148 in response with some spectacular power hitting by Christiaan Louwies for 79, nearly getting them over the line with an unfortunate run out in trying to retain strike all but handing the victory to Legends B.
Super Giants won the game against Crusaders by 52 runs, but not without a scare.
The Giants posted an imposing 174 off their 20 with Liam Scholtz, just 17, scoring a fine 63 with the big man, Ayanda Jili, coming in late with some big hitting to power the Giants to their total.
In return, Crusaders made a roaring start with AJ Pienaar and Yega Katharian hammering the ball to all parts, only for AJ to fall to a fine catch by André Ellapen, who took a skier with aplomb.
They never recovered from that setback and fell to 122 all out with left-arm spinner Vuvu Gumede, also just 17, magnificent in taking 5-14 and Barry de Beer picking up 4-11 in a fine exhibition of bowling.
The final game saw Spartans post 190 off their 20 despite the worst possible start, Gershion Lawrence being dismissed for the dreaded first baller.
Morné Bishop played a wonderful knock and narrowly missed out on a well-deserved ton by reaching 95 not out, ably supported by the big-hitting Abdur Rehman, who made 81.
In response, Legends were always behind the game in losing wickets at crucial intervals and, despite a brilliant 102 by Sahal Mansoor, could only reach 172 in an 18 run defeat.
This week Sunday will see the Division 1 and 2 quarter-finals take place at Suid Natal and PSCC.
FINAL LOG
Division 1
1 Legends 33
2 Knockouts 28
3 Spartans 26
4 Port Edward Dolphins 23
5 PSCC 22
6 Sheppie Lions 13
7 Sezela 13
8 Bombay 9
9 Ballies 0
Division 2
1 Henns Viking 36
2 Super Giants 32
3 Wolf Pack 29
4 Hit Men 27
5 Legends B 27
6 Crusaders 26
7 Mustangs 17
8 Gamalakhe Warriors 12
9 Izingolweni 2
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Fever’s Facebook page
