Pirates, Pioneers stumble at the last hurdle

GARDEN ROUTE CRICKET NEWS - Last weekend Pirates United narrowly lost out in a nail-biting clash with Thembalethu, falling short by only four runs.

This while the Pioneers women's team proved to be no match for Pacaltsdorp United in the SWD Women's Promotion T20 League final.

There was no action last week for the men's teams of the Plettenberg Bay Pioneers or any of the Knysna Cavaliers teams. Both clubs' first teams enjoyed a bye in the SWD Premier League, while all of the "reserve" teams were also resting as the pool stage of the 2022/23 SWD Reserve League has already come to an end.

The next stage in the Reserve League is the semi-finals which will be competed this weekend. Cavaliers B progressed as the top team in Group A and will face Sussex C on Saturday 4 February.

Warren Petersen (Pirates) gets the ball away for a single.

Pirates United vs Thembalethu

Played at Loerie Park in Knysna on Sunday 29 January, the home team won the toss and chose to bowl first. This paid off as not one of Thembalethu's top six batsmen reached double figures.

However, a 22 from Ayabonga Khitshini and cameos from Athenkosi Mapono (13) and Enathi Khitshini (13) helped them reach 114 all-out. Errol Martin was the pick of Pirates' bowlers, taking four wickets for 30 runs in eight overs.

Pirates' run chase was the opposite of Thembalethu's with their top five all getting starts on the board. Curnol Thorne top-scored with 36, followed by Martin with 30, but a sensational middle order collapse late in the game cost them the win. After needing only eight runs to win off the last 12 balls and with six wickets in hand, Pirates slumped to a three-run defeat at 111-7 in their allotted 36 overs.

Anoxolo Khitshini was the pick of Thembalethu's bowlers with three wickets for 19 runs in six overs.

Darryl Sigula closely watches the ball after playing a height no ball.

Pioneers W vs Pacaltsdorp United W

The final was played at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn, the home of SWD Cricket, on Saturday 28 January. Pioneers were playing in their second consecutive final, having reached the same stage last season where they lost to Mossel Bay, and were undoubtedly hoping to go one better this year.

They were however tasked with batting first, something that proved to be a real challenge as they were restricted to only 53-8 in their 20 overs and Rusha van Wieling top-scored with 12 not-out.

Bianca Figeland was Pacaltsdorp's top bowler, taking three wickets for 17 runs with help from Zoe Meyer – two wickets for seven runs.

Figeland ultimately proved the deciding factor in the encounter as she was destructive with the bat too, blitzing her way to 30 not-out to help steer Pacaltsdorp to their maiden SWD Women's Promotion T20 League title, winning by eight wickets. Van Wieling was Pioneers' best bowler too, taking one wicket for 15 runs.

Darryl Sigula (Pirates) digs out a yorker.