Cavaliers poised for SWD playoffs

KNYSNA CRICKET NEWS - Just under a month after lying bottom of the log and four points off the side above them, Knysna Cavaliers Cricket Club has moved into a playoff spot thanks to a fourth consecutive win last weekend.

Cavaliers' latest triumph in the SWD Premier League came at the expense of George Cricket Club – who occupy the other playoff spot in the competition – last Saturday 8 February.

The Knysna side was in all sorts of trouble four weeks ago, lying bottom of the log standings after a demoralising eight-wicket loss at the hands of log leaders Union Stars in Oudtshoorn on Sunday 12 January.

The game against George was played at Rooirivier Sports Grounds, and the home side won the toss and elected to bowl first with conditions looking to favour the decision. Cavaliers openers JP Ellis and Thabo Dywili strode out to the middle, and looked solid initially, until top control of the new ball from George opening bowler Jaco Fourie claimed Ellis' wicket followed by another shortly thereafter to leave Cavaliers on 11-2. Their path of demise continued as Thabo Dywili was dismissed in a manner rarely seen, given out for "handling the ball".

The fourth wicket fell soon, too, and Cavaliers were reeling at 18-4. A 36-run strong partnership between Quinton Visagie and Francois Bonthuys seemed to get the visitors back on track before Visagie fell for 19. Bonthuys would carry on standing strong and put on yet another brilliant partnership with Trevano Thorne for the sixth wicket, as the pair put on 63 together before Thorne fell for 29. Bonthuys would carry on scoring, eventually reaching 60 before he was dismissed. Bonthuys' innings helped steer Cavaliers to 163 all out, setting the hosts 164 to win.

George's run chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost the wicket of Levin Muller after only three balls, courtesy of Cavaliers captain Ellis.

A disciplined bowling performance from Cavaliers ensured George was never really able to kick into gear, as they suffered from a constant loss of wickets. Standing at 50-5, Franco Geldenhuys and Fourie looked promising for George, but Geldenhuys was soon dismissed with Fourie falling 16 runs later. A partnership of 28 between Kevin Gibson and Gary Wagner seemed George's last hope, but Gibson fell with his side on 114, still needing 50 to win.

Wagner would try his best, but the tail failed to wag, and George were bowled out for 127, handing Cavaliers a 36-run victory, their fourth straight bonus-point win. Captain Ellis earned his best figures of the season, taking four wickets for only 18 runs in his 6.5 overs. The win, combined with five points that Cavaliers received from a match they were set to play against suspended Nelson Mandela University, sees them climb into third place – the second playoff spot on 37 points.

George still lies in second place on the log, on 41 points. Cavaliers face Harlequins in a must-win clash this Saturday, as a loss to Harlequins would mean they fall out of the playoff spot, and Harlequins would overtake them to face George in the playoff.

Cavaliers captain JP Ellis sets off after playing a backfoot cover drive.