CX Prem sides lose out

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Premier League teams of Knysna Cavaliers and Plettenberg Bay Pioneers had a tough time of things last weekend, despite good bowling and batting performances respectively.

Cavaliers had put in a good shift with ball in hand against Union Stars, bowling them out for just over 100, but their batting could not see them over the line. Pioneers had a good run with bat in hand against Mossel Bay, with three players scoring a half-century before the bowlers couldn't ensure a win.

In other leagues, Kranshoek Cobras lost against Blanco, Pioneers B beat Pirates United B and Pioneers C overcame Cavaliers C.

Pioneers vs Mossel Bay

Pioneers batted first. Carlos Koeberg top-scored with 53*, followed by Mark Vermeulen (51) and Jean du Plessis (50) who returned from injury last week. Ruaan Moore was the pick of Mossel Bay's bowlers with four wickets for 37 runs in 10 overs.

Jacques Budricks led the Mossel Bay run chase, scoring 64* with cameo innings from Tyron John (35), Gerrit Badenhorst (25) and Jan-Hendrick Max (24) helping their cause. Mbuyiseli Malanga was Pioneers' best bowler, taking three wickets for 29 runs in 8,5 overs. Mossel Bay won by two wickets, with only seven balls to spare.

Cavaliers vs Union Stars

Cavaliers bowled first, restricting Union Stars to 107 all out. Jean Heunis top-scored with 30, followed by Anver Venter (24). Quinton Visagie was the pick of the Cavaliers' bowlers with three wickets for 32 runs in 10 overs.

Despite Johan Smal scoring 26, Cavaliers' run chase faltered as they were bowled out for only 78, handing Union Stars a 29-run win. Ayabonga Ngondo, Grant Esau and Tyrese Karelse all claimed three wickets.

Cobras vs Blanco

Kranshoek Cobras bowled first, and courtesy of 60 runs from Hentzwill Pedro and 44 from Jeanique Williams, Blanco reached 171 all-out. Kevin Brouers was Cobras' best bowler with four wickets for 47 runs in eight overs.

Brouers top-scored with the bat too (29) and was aided by John Koopman (28), but they were bowled out for 139. Kenneth Syster and Pedro took three wickets apiece as Blanco won by 32 runs.

Cavaliers C top-scorer Chad Walker plays a defensive shot.

Cavaliers C vs Pioneers C

Cavaliers batted first and Pioneers restricted them to only 72 all-out. Chad Walker top-scored with 14, followed by Wessel Croukamp (13). Bjorn Malgas was Pioneers' best bowler, taking four wickets for nine runs in four overs.

Gwyn Lewis championed the Pioneers' run chase, scoring 34*. with Malgas scoring 18 to help their side to a four-wicket win. Blake Linder was Cavaliers' best bowler, taking three wickets for 31 runs in 5,4 overs.

Kyle Groome sets off for a run for Cavaliers C.

Pioneers B vs Pirates B

Pioneers batted first and runs from Claude Terblanche (43), Robert Cunningham (35), and Jade Titus and Jacques Ahrense (both 26) helped them to 175 all-out. Roneldo van Rooyen was Pirates' best bowler with three wickets for 22 runs in eight overs.

Warren Pietersen (38) and Trevano Thorne (27) scored well for Pirates but they were bowled out for 141, giving Pioneers a 34-run win. Ahrense was Pioneers' pick of the bowlers with four wickets for 15 runs in six overs.

Pioneers C wicketkeeper Gwyn Lewis (left) watches closely as Cavaliers C's Carel Bruwer plays a forward defensive shot. Photos: Blake Linder