The Eastern Province (EP) Rural cricket side got off to a winning note in the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Rural Competition on Saturday 13 October in King Williams Town. EP narrowly defeated Border by one wicket in a closely contested affair. The CSA South Section consist of the EP Rural, EP Midlands, Kei, Border Country, Border Aloes, Border Villages and Boland cricket teams. Despite losing a lot of key players that withdrew at the eleventh hour, EP still managed to field a decent side. The home side batted first and were bowled out for 155 runs in 42.2 overs. EP’s bowlers bowled…
Author: Chesley Daniels
Willows and Salem continued their unbeaten run in the Grahamstown Cricket Board’s (GCB) First league with impressive victories the past weekend. Willows vs Cuylerville Willows comprehensively defeated Cuylerville in a 75-run bonus point win on Sunday 14 October. Willows batted first and posted a massive 267/6 in their allotted 50 overs. The Willows batsmen came out firing from the word go and batted very aggressively throughout their innings. Willows captain and opening batsman, Mohammed Sonday, laid the foundation for his side with a fine 66 runs. That momentum was followed by a magnificent 93 not out by Marquin Tom Loutz, who…
Veterans Andrew Marshall and Steven Gornall recorded impressive centuries over the weekend of 29-30 September for their respective clubs in the Grahamstown Cricket Board’s first league fixtures. Marshall (103) and Gornal (108) were for Manleys and Cuylerville in their respective defeats, despite their efforts. Southwell vs Manleys Flats The defending champs, Southwell comprehensively defeated a defiant Manleys by 85 runs and secured a bonus point in their encounter. Southwell batted first and scooped a massive 285/8 in their allotted 50 overs. Claude Matthews top scorer with a fine 73 and received good support by captain James Stirk (58) and Brad…
Willows Cricket Club opened their Grahamstown Cricket Board (GCB) First league season with an impressive 14 run win over arch rivals Makana Sona in their Derby encounter at Salem on Sunday 23 September. Willows batted first and posted a decent 239/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Willows lost their first wicket with the score on 30 but regained momentum through Abner Accom (60) and later Thandisile Ngowana (67). Both batsmen provided some spark and were very patient in their approach. Vice Captain, Seviano Jasson, also added value with a classy knock of 20 runs in the top order. Ace Mini (3/49…
The St Marks (Alicedale) First team ended their EPRU Grand Challenge Shield B rugby season on a high with a dominant 41-0 win over Booysens Pride from Port Elizabeth in Alicedale on Saturday 18 August. St Marks also earned a crucial bonus point in the end for scoring 4 or more tries. The home side ran in six unanswered tries as they dominated all facets of the game. From the outset, it was apparent that St Marks would dominate and as a result, they enjoyed both territory and possession. A large crowd came out in their numbers on a perfect sunny…
Top of the log EP Grand Challenge Shield B leaders Motherwell, from Port Elizabeth, extended their lead on the log standings with a convincing win over Rosebuds from Alicedale on Saturday 11 August. The Shield B fixture was contested in Alicedale in near perfect Saturday afternoon conditions. Motherwell Firsts came into the match at full strength, with only one thing on their mind – to collect maximum points, which they did in style. The game was as expected, hard, physical and was played in a very good spirit. The game was a closely contested affair and Rosebuds put up a…
The PJ Olivier First team produced a dominant performance against Stutterheim High with a comprehensive victory at PJ Olivier on Saturday 4 August, in their last match of the season. A large crowd came out in their numbers to support and rally behind PJ for their last school’s rugby fixture. PJ did not disappoint, running in seven tries in a highly entertaining encounter. The hosts provided most of the entertainment as they played running and exciting rugby from the outset. despite heading into the match with a few key players lost to injury, PJ ran out full of confidence. The exciting,…
St Marks (Alicedale) First Rugby team earned a crucial bonus point 34-3 win over Glen Roses in their Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU) Grand Challenge Shield B encounter in Alicedale on Saturday 28 July. After leading 15-3 lead at the break, the home side scored nineteen unanswered points in the second half to earn their victory. With three matches remaining in the competition, it was imperative for St Marks to clinch maximum points to strengthen their position in the top three of the Grand Challenge Shield B log. They went into the fixture on Saturday with only one thing on their mind, and…
The second round Eastern Province Rugby Union Grand Challenge Shield B encounter between the Rosebuds and St Marks took place in front of a large crowd in Alicedale on Saturday 14 July. Both teams did not disappoint and entertained everyone with some brilliant and exciting running rugby. The game, as expected, was fast, hard, physical and very intense. Rosebuds played more of a fast and quick game and were running the ball from all corners. Rosebuds’ young and exciting back line were more effective with ball in hand and caused major headaches on attack. St Marks’ powerful and dominant forwards, who…
At the recent Annual Grahamstown Cricket Board’s (GCB) Awards Ceremony, Southwell First and Station Hill were crowned as First and Second league winners respectively. The Awards Evening took place at the Ski-Boat & River Club in Port Alfred on Friday 25 May. The Prestigious Awards Evening was well attended by estimated 100 plus guests, which included players, supporters, club officials, GCB officials, former players and former officials of the game. Adding emotion to the occasion, the Station Hill Cricket Club presented blazers to three veteran players who recently retired – Andy Jones, Wayne Gaseba and Nathan Hilpert. They will stay…