Southwell crowned GCB 1sts champions

The past weekend saw the end of another Grahamstown Cricket Board (GCB) league season. Southwell 1st and Station Hill 2nds were crowned the new Grahamstown Cricket Board (GCB) 1st and 2nd league Champs respectively. Southwell beat Cuylerville by 8 wickets & with a bonus point to clinch their second title of the season, along with the Bathurst 1st league they won last week. Station Hill also clinched a 3 wicket bonus point win over Shrews to be crowned as 2nd league Champs. Southwell were unbeaten in both the GCB 1st and Bathurst leagues this season and played outstanding cricket.

In the final GCB 1st league fixture at Southwell, the home side impressed with a fantastic all round performance to add another trophy to their season’s cabinet. Cuylerville batted first and were bowled out for 151 (39.2 overs), due to discipline and accurate bowling by the home side’s bowlers. Wickets tumbled in quick concession as Southwell took full control of affairs. It was only the tale ender, Richard Beydeveld, who came in terms with the pitch and the deadly bowlers of Southwell, top scoring with a fantastic hurricane 83 runs (9×6, 3×4) batting at number 10. Jason Renton and Jamie Bessinger both contributed 12 runs. Veterans Andrew Bowker 3/32 (10) and Jeff Tarr 3/22 (10), were the pick of the bowlers and the destroyers-in-chief for Southwell. Murray Hobson 2/37 (10) and Johan Du Preez 1/32 (10), also bowled beautiful spells.

Southwell came out firing in their run chase with only one thing on their minds; to win the game and the league. They eventually did so in fine style. Despite losing two quick wickets, captain James Stirk (56*), Kevin Bennett (52*) and Daine Kruger (23), did enough damaged to ensure their side knocked the target off in just 32.2 overs. Southwell won by 8 wickets and scored a bonus point.

 Station Hill vs Shrews

On the Hilpert Field in Port Alfred on Saturday, Station Hill put up a sterling performance to beat Shrews to clinch the GCB 2nd league title and be crowned as deserving champs. Shrews batted first and scored 106 all out. Langa (32) and Ali (24) made the runs for their side. Veteran Nathan Hilpert 4/39 (9) was the pick of the home side’s bowlers and received excellent support from Riaan Jacobs 2/13 (3), Alvin Marney 2/19 (8) and Franklin Jacobs 1/20 (10).

Salem traveled to Grahamstown, to Rhodes’ Prospect field on Sunday to ultimately win by 47 runs and receive a bonus point. Salem batted first and were bowled out for 139 runs. Buster Brotherton (41), Ivan Marais (29), Chris Van der Meulen (18) and Rob Van der Merwe (20), all contributed with the bat. Sean Mcqullan 3/23 (7), Graig Parrymore 2/16 (7) and Tyler Miller 2/23 (5) took wickets for Rhodes.

Rhodes lost wickets at regular intervals due to economical and accurate bowling by Salem’s bowlers. Rhodes were bowled out for 92 runs. David Blenkinsop 27, Matthew Menaar 22 and William Samson 21, were amongst the run scorers for Rhodes. Brotherton 5/16 (4), Marais 2/12 (5), Devon Sykes 1/18 (7), Matthew Liebenberg 1/8 (4) and Brad Wilmot 1/11 (5), took wickets for Salem.

The other results of the weekend were as follows:

Cuylerville 189

– Simon Du Plessis 77*, Cliff Dell 61

* Lester Isaacs 3/32, Gareth 2/18, Graig Fourie 1/31

Manleys 158

– Chad 28, Fourie 18, Joe 22, Marney 18

* Morne Van Wyk 4/37, Cyril Tyson 2/20, Chris Japp 1/29, Allister Mccerrow 2/46.

Cuylerville won by 31 runs.

Salem 180

– Rob Van Der Merwe 51, Matt Liesenberg 32, Lorrimer Pittaway 26

* T Shotana 3/22, A Tabasha 3/42, L Menge 2/8

Rainbows 127

– Shotana 40, T Mlonyeni 28

* Brad Wilmot 4/12, Ross Pittaway 1/10, Matt Liesenberg 2/20, Mike Mattison 2/23

Salem won by 53 runs and bonus point