1 through to finals, 1 out for Knysna

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KNYSNA NEWS - Pirates United last weekend ensured that Knysna will have yet another side in this season's SWD Cricket finals, courtesy of their semi-final triumph over New Dawn Park.

The hopes to have a third in the finals, however, were crushed as Knysna Cavaliers' second team lost a nail-biting semi-final against Harlequins Forces.

Pirates faced off against New Dawn Park in a home semi-final clash at Loerie Park on Saturday 5 March, where they proved too strong for the men from George by securing an impressive win to progress to the final.

Meanwhile, Cavaliers' second team battled against Harlequins Forces C at the Oakhill Sport Campus on Saturday in what was also a home semi-final, but that instead went the way of the visitors from Oudtshoorn.

Knysna Cavaliers B vs Harlequins Forces C

Both sides played at the OSC for the first time this season, and it was Harlequins who won the toss and chose to bowl first.

This paid off as the hosts were quickly in trouble, losing a lot of middle order wickets. A top score of 24 for Dean Dollie as well as 23* from Byron Jantjies and a 20 from Werner Mels helped get Cavaliers to 132 all out. Rhupino Plaatjies and Dillan Moos took three wickets each for Harlequins, with Plaatjies only conceding 18 runs in his 10 overs.

PHOTO GALLERY: Pirates United vs Knysna on the cricket field

Harlequins' chase stumbled in the early stages of the innings too, losing their top and middle orders rather cheaply.

However, 18 runs from Plaatjies and a match-winning 39* from SWD Academy player Franklin Stuurman carried the Harlequins' innings. This helped them earn the narrowest of victories in what was a tense SWD Reserve League semi-final, managing to win by only one wicket.

Byron Jantjies was Cavaliers' bowler of the day, taking four wickets for 28 runs in 10 overs.

Harlequins will now face George B in the final of the SWD Reserve League next weekend.

Umpire Colin Wildeman signals a four to Cavaliers.

Pirates United A vs New Dawn Park A

With potential promotion to the SWD Premier League at stake, Pirates won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that ultimately paid dividends. The visiting side's batting line-up struggled to make headway against a strong Pirates bowling outfit.

Opener Whaydon Plaatjies top-scored with 28 while Roberto Davids' 26* helped get their team to 99 before being bowled out. Justin Meyer shone with the ball for Pirates, taking six wickets for only 19 runs in his 10 overs.

While the target was low, Pirates' top order would still be made to work for their win. Captain Errol Martin top-scored with 36* while Roneldo van Rooyen (17*) and Curnol Thorne (17) aided their captain's efforts to see the team home. Pirates claimed the victory with seven wickets remaining.

Three New Dawn Park bowlers claimed a wicket, but Dimitri Carelse was most economical by conceding only 21 runs in his eight overs.

The win means Pirates, whose first team are in the final of the SWD Promotion Division A league, join Knysna Cavaliers' first team (final of the SWD Premier League) as the second team from Knysna to progress to the final stage of the SWD Cricket 2021/22 club competition.

If they win their final against Pacaltsdorp United this weekend, Pirates United will gain promotion to the SWD Premier League ahead of the 2022/23 SWD cricket season.

Chad Walker guides the ball behind point on the off-side.