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KNYSNA | PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Knysna Cavaliers have qualified for the final of the SWD Premier League for the first time in over a decade, while Plettenberg Bay Pioneers have qualified for the play-off.
Cavaliers overcame Ramblers on Saturday 12 February to secure their spot in the final, with their second and third teams beating Pioneers' thirds during the weekend.
Pioneers overcame Harlequins Forces on Saturday for a spot in the play-off while their seconds lost to Pirates United's seconds on Sunday. Pirates' first team lost against Heidelberg United on Saturday.
Cavaliers B vs Pioneers C
Pioneers C had their first brush with the Cavaliers for the weekend on Saturday. They won the toss and bowled first. Quinton Visagie top-scored for Cavaliers with 22 runs before they were bowled out for 118. Kelvin Davids was the pick of Pioneers' bowlers, taking three wickets for 17 runs in eight overs.
Alastair Ludick spearheaded Pioneers' run chase, scoring 49 before they were all out for 78. This gave Cavaliers a 40-run win. Werner Mels was Cavaliers' best bowler, taking four wickets for nine runs in four overs. The win puts Cavaliers B five points ahead of Pioneers B in their SWD Reserve League pool.
Pirates A vs Heidelberg United A
With home side Heidelberg batting first, Corbin Swartbooi shone with the bat, scoring 120 with the side reaching 296 all out. Tyler Bezuidenhout was Pirates' best bowler, taking three wickets for 58 runs in his seven overs.
Jade Titus scored 45 for Pirates as they started the chase well before being bowled out for 205, giving Heidelberg a 91-run win. Three Heidelberg bowlers took two wickets each, but Garth Pieterse was most economical, conceding 18 runs in seven overs. Despite the loss, Pirates stay top of their pool in the SWD Promotion League A.
Pioneers A vs Harlequins Forces A
Needing a win to make the play-offs, Pioneers batted first. Mbuyisela Malanga top-scored with 47 as Pioneers reached 208-8 in their 50 overs. Sidwell Williams was Harlequins' best bowler, taking three wickets for 30 runs in his 10 overs.
Jermaine le Kay top-scored for the visiting side with 35 runs before Harlequins were all out for 159. This gave Pioneers a 49-run win. Garth Bock was Pioneers' best bowler, taking four wickets for 38 runs in 10 overs. The win means Pioneers will play George in the play-off to determine who plays Cavaliers in the final.
Cavaliers A vs Ramblers A
Cavaliers batted first at Loerie Park. AB van der Walt top-scored for his side with 41 runs as they reached 216-9 in 50 overs. Three Ramblers bowlers took two wickets, but Francois Swart was most economical, conceding 32 runs in 10 overs.
Arthur Lottering top-scored for Ramblers with 22 runs before they were bowled out for 91 to give Cavaliers a 125-run victory. Blake Linder was the pick of the Cavaliers bowlers, taking four wickets for nine runs in eight overs. Cavaliers have now automatically qualified for the final of the Premier League and will face either Pioneers or George.
Pirates B vs Pioneers B
The game was played at Loerie Park and Pirates chose to bowl first. Jacques Ahrense top-scored for Pioneers with 40 runs as they made 102 before being bowled out. Zynn Plaatjies was Pirates' best bowler, taking four wickets for 40 runs in 10 overs.
Edwin Lucas steered his side home, top-scoring with 57 not out to help Pirates to a seven-wicket win to end off their season. Keith Oraai was Pioneers' best bowler, taking three wickets for 20 runs in 10 overs.
Pirates finish the season in third place in their Reserve League pool.
Pioneers B fielder Jacques Ahrense stops the ball from going for a boundary.
Cavaliers C vs Pioneers C
Pioneers hosted their Cavaliers counterparts and were asked to bat first. Mervin de Waal top-scored for Pioneers with 41 runs as his side was bowled out for 84 runs. Elro Spies was the pick of the Cavaliers bowlers, taking six wickets for 26 runs in 7,3 overs.
Wessel Croukamp spearheaded Cavaliers' run chase, scoring 42 runs to help his side to an eight-wicket victory. Two Pioneers bowlers took a wicket each, but Alto Ghall was most economical, conceding 15 runs in three overs.
Pirates United B batsman Edwin Lukas raises his bat after reaching 50 runs. Photos: Blake Linder
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