The Rhodes Internal Premier League 20/20 cricket tournament has reached the end of the round robin phase and is now heading towards an intense knockout stage.
There have been few surprises in the round robin phase with top dogs, the Belmont Bashers, continuing their three-year unbeaten streak in the tournament.
The Rhodes Internal Premier League 20/20 cricket tournament has reached the end of the round robin phase and is now heading towards an intense knockout stage.
There have been few surprises in the round robin phase with top dogs, the Belmont Bashers, continuing their three-year unbeaten streak in the tournament.
The hotly contested Pool A, the proverbial "Pool of Death", went right down to the wire in the last match between the Platypuses and the Panthers. Despite a Platypus win, they did not qualify due to a poor net run rate – in spite of James Price’s unbeaten 128.
This meant that three teams were tied on four points each, but the Turtles' and Panthers' superior run rates saw them through to the playoffs ahead of the Platypuses.
The Bashers have completed three easy victories to top Pool B with six points, while the Super Tigers progress to the semis in second place with four points from their two wins.
However there is clear daylight between the Bashers and the rest of the group, as the men in blue never looked in any trouble at all. Their opponents in Pool B seemed somewhat mediocre.
The Plate competition is contested by the bottom two sides in each pool, who will play one another in the semifinals on Monday, followed by a Plate Final on Wednesday evening. The highlight, however, will be the SAB Finals Day on 15 October, which will see the Cup semifinals and final taking place in one very festive and action-packed day.
Apart from the cricket on display, there will also be a beer tent, music, skydivers and several prizes on offer for spectators.
The first semifinal will be contested between the Turtles, who topped Pool A, and the Super Tigers. The Turtles are undoubtedly the favourites, coming out on top of a highly competitive pool, while the Super Tigers look slightly undercooked in comparison.
In the other semifinal the unbeaten Bashers will take on the Panthers. The Panthers have looked good this season, with their only loss coming at the hands of ruthless South African U19 star, James Price. The Panthers are in with more than a fair chance; however it will take a master-class performance to topple the RIPL giants, The Bashers.
Fixtures:
Plate semi 1, Monday 10 October, 4pm: Smuts v Knights
Plate semi 2, Monday 10 October, 7pm: Cunning Stunts v Platypuses/Panthers
Plate final, Wednesday 12 October, 7pm: Winner 1 v Winner 2
Cup semi 1, Saturday 15 October, 1pm: Turtles v Super Tigers
Cup semi 2, Saturday 15 October, 4pm: Bashers v Panthers/Platypuses
Cup final, Saturday 15 October, 7pm: Winner 1 v Winner 2
