Trophy Fighters take Autumn 100 cricket title
It was an intense game, watched by many spectators.
Trophy Fighters beat Port Shepstone CC in a low-scoring but loud final as the top two teams battled it out for the Southern KZN Autumn 100 honours.
Port Shepstone CC batted first and were skittled for 71 all out in 95 balls.
Only two batsmen made double figures, Mikyle Bartle at the top of the order with 18 off 17 balls, and Liam Scholtz coming in at number five, making 28 off 29 balls.
The usually reliable and explosive top order, admittedly without Ashley Lombard on this occasion, had a rare off day.
Yasin Gangat was the destroyer in chief, taking 4-10, backed up by Asif Badat with 3-12 and Abdullah Dhudhat with 2-12.
In response, Trophy Fighters, buoyed by a lively crowd, reached the target on ball 70, ending up on 75-7 with a number of wickets falling late in the game, courtesy of some excellent bowling by Gershion Lawrence and Josh Pillay.
Trophy Fighters had been 60 for three and seemingly in total control, but even though four wickets fell before they got the score, there still wasn’t any real panic.
Earlier there was some controversy when Abdullah was given out caught off the bowling of speedster Liam Scholtz.
He was not happy with the decision, suggesting it had come off his forearm, and after un-padding, came back on to the field to remonstrate with the umpire.
Siraj Patel top-scored with 25 off 18, ably assisted by Asif Badat with 16 off 15. Ahmed Nakhuda made 11 off nine to be the only other batsmen in double figures.
Lawrence ended with figures of 3-19 and Pillay 2-17. Liam Scholtz took 1-10 and Saeed Patel 1-9.
Next up is the Winter League which starts last Sunday.
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