KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna Cavaliers have secured their place in the SWD Premier League playoffs, courtesy of a triumph over George Cricket Club at Loerie Park on Saturday 18 February.
Their victory, along with one for Union Stars and a loss for Pacaltsdorp United, adds some exciting uncertainty to the rear end of the round-robin stage of the league. All three teams are now still stand a chance to progress straight to the final, albeit some have better chances than others.
Cavaliers vs George
George captain Jaco Fourie won the toss and chose to bowl first at Loerie Park in Knysna. Early inroads by the George bowlers yielded positive results for them, but a 26 from Cavaliers skipper JP Ellis and a resilient 27* from Francois Bonthuys in the lower order helped Cavaliers reach 129 all-out.
AB van der Walt (19) and Mesuli Vuba (13) aided the cause too. Sintu Majiza and Grant Simpson stood out with the ball for George, each taking three wickets. Henry Griffiths chipped in with two wickets while Fourie and Simon Venter took one wicket apiece.
Just as their George counterparts did, Cavaliers' bowlers claimed early wickets to stunt George's run chase. Griffiths played a defiant knock at number four though, scoring 34 off 102 deliveries to keep George's hopes alive.
He received little help from his batting partners however, with Jaco van Greunen (13) and Marius Fourie (10) the only other batsmen to reach double figures before George were bowled out for 93.
Irvin Campher was Cavaliers' top bowler, taking four wickets for 16 runs in 8,5 overs. Blake Linder provided support with two wickets while Lutho Ngqongwa, Bonthuys and Van der Walt all took a wicket each. The Cavaliers won the game by 36 runs.
Cavaliers top-scorer Francois Bonthuys plays a square cut. Photos: Blake Linder
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