Pioneers safely avoid relegation

KNYSNA NEWS - Plettenberg Bay Pioneers managed to avoid relegation from the SWD Premier League courtesy of a resounding victory in the CX derby against play-off hopefuls Knysna Cavaliers last weekend.

The two clubs were the 2021/22 SWD Premier League finalists where the Cavaliers claimed the title, but their 2022/23 seasons have differed.

The Cavaliers had a good start to the season, but fell off somewhat midway through and finally managed to bounce back in the later stages in order to keep their hopes of defending their title alive.

This helped them secure a spot in the play-off match, with one more game left to try and make it a home play-off.

Pioneers meanwhile have had a rocky season, struggling to string together a set of consistently good results, with only two wins from their 12 games prior to the clash with the Cavaliers.

This left them seventh on the log and perilously close to relegation, as the team who finishes bottom is relegated to the SWD Promotion A League. Their objective for the weekend was simple – win. This would put them out of reach of Sussex, and therefore out of risk of relegation.

Cavaliers' Quinton Visagie flicks the ball away onto the leg-side. Photo: Blake Linder

The match

After captain Carlos Koeberg won the toss and elected to bat first at Loerie Park in Knysna, Pioneers' batsmen put on a good show for their supporters, managing to reach 215-8 in their 50 overs. Former Zimbabwean international Mark Vermeulen starred with the bat once again, producing a well-played 74.

He received support from Garth Bock who also brought up a half-century, scoring 53. Cavaliers captain JP Ellis claimed three wickets for 39 runs in nine overs, while Blake Linder took two wickets and Lutho Ngqongwa, Mesuli Vuba and Quinton Visagie all contributed with a wicket each.

Despite being a relatively strong suit for most of the season, Cavaliers' batting line-up faltered on Saturday. With the loss of one batsman due to a fielding-related injury, Cavaliers only had 10 batsmen and early wickets did not help their cause.

Ultimately Linder top-scored with 26, followed by Visagie on 22* while Vuba and AB van der Walt both scored 18 runs, as the Cavaliers were restricted 128-9, handing Pioneers their desired victory by 87 runs. Darryl Damons, Jacques Ahrendse and Eden Tarentaal all took two wickets for Pioneers while Jade Titus and Keith Oraai claimed one apiece.

The Plett Pioneers team that was triumphant against Cavaliers. Photo: Supplied