Local clubs kick off one-day season

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GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Knysna Cavaliers and Pirates United cricket clubs got their 2022/23 one-day seasons off to a great start last weekend. Cavaliers' firsts beat Harlequins Forces on Saturday, while Cavaliers' thirds beat Plett Pioneers' seconds and Pirates' first team overcame Thembalethu – both on Sunday.

The 2022/23 SWD Cricket season is already well underway with the group stage of the SWD T20 Competition having come and gone in the past month-and-a-half.

But, the one-day competitions – Premier League (50 overs); Promotion League A&B (50 overs); Reserve League (40 overs) – only got going last weekend for the Knysna and Plett cricket clubs.

PHOTO GALLERY: One-day cricket with local clubs

In the Premier League Cavaliers faced Harlequins and Pioneers met Union Stars; in Promotion League A, Pirates took on Thembalethu; in the Reserve League Cavaliers' third team played against Pioneers' second team.

Pioneers A vs Union Stars A

In Oudtshoorn, home team captain Jean Heunis won the toss, choosing to bowl first. Travis Ackerman top-scored with 57 runs as his team was bowled out for 139. Tyrese Karelse and Elridge Booysen were Union Stars' star bowlers with three wickets apiece.

Karelse played an important role in the run-chase too, scoring 36 runs that helped Union Stars earn a five-wicket triumph. Ackerman and Eden Tarentaal took two wickets each in Pioneers' attempt to defend the total.

Cavaliers A vs Harlequins Forces A

Cavaliers captain JP Ellis won the toss and elected to bat first. Johan Smal was in top form with the bat, scoring 115 and with Thabo Dywili's 51 runs helped Cavaliers reach 294-7 in their 50 overs. Franklin Stuurman and Sydwell Williams both took three wickets for Harlequins.

Captain Jermaine le Kay (49 runs) and Reagan Engelbrecht (38 not out) were the only Harlequins batsmen to get going. They were bowled out for 121, giving Cavaliers a 173-run victory. Quinton Visagie was Cavaliers' top bowler with three wickets for 13 runs in three overs.

Cavaliers C vs Pioneers B

Pioneers skipper Lumko Maart won the toss, choosing to bat first. Haydon Sparks was the only batter who got going for Pioneers, scoring 25 before his team was bowled out for 57. Wessel Croukamp and Wanda Mtshilibe took three wickets each for Cavaliers.

Croukamp fired with the bat too, scoring a quick 38 not out to help secure a nine-wicket win for Cavaliers. Ayden Schoonraad claimed the sole wicket of the innings, taking his wicket for 21 runs in 3,1 overs.

Johan Smal plays a straight drive during his innings.

Pirates A vs Thembalethu A

Played in Thembalethu, Pirates captain Marshall Philander won the toss and chose to bowl first. A top bowling performance from Pirates followed and Thembalethu were bowled out for 89, Joseph Sonti top-scored with 25 runs. Jade Titus was Pirates' best bowler, taking three wickets for no runs in 1,4 overs.

Titus shone with the bat in hand too, scoring 27 alongside Errol Martin (23 runs) to help steer Pirates to a three-wicket win. Enathi and Anoxolo Khitshini both took two wickets each for Thembalethu.

Lutho Ngqongwa in bowling action for the Cavaliers. Photo: Amanda du Plessis