The Northwest The girls U/16 team started CSA week like a house on fire, beating the Central Gauteng Lions in their tightly contested opener at St Stithians College’s Dlamini Oval.
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Jessica Joshua led the way with the willow for North West as they chased down the 80 runs needed for victory with just three wickets left in the shed.
Off 52 deliveries, Joshua, who opened the batting, hit five fours as she cruised to a well-played and match-winning 36 runs. This was due to a memorable performance with the ball from teammates, Reabetswe Dithipe And Ayanda Mosothaan.
Dithipe, the most economical of the bowlers, conceded just 13 runs in the six overs she delivered, adding to the pressure which in turn led to her three wickets. Mosothane provided support with her return of 2/13 in her four overs.
Gautengs Boitumelo Chuene was a shining light in a struggling batting lineup. She batted well for her mature 25, which came from 53 deliveries. However, her contribution would be the only contribution of note in a tough first outing for the Lionesses.
Free State also made quite a significant statement, opening their account with an impressive 53 run win over one of the bigger unions of the week, the Titans. Led by a masterful 49 off the bat Rethabile Nthodaand thanks to some wayward bowling by the Titans, the Free State side reached a very competitive total of 164.
Although the ladies from Jacaranda City received 57 extras, there were still some positive signs, especially away Mieke Reynolds. Reynolds kept her line and length tight and boasted figures of 3/23 in the nine overs she bowled. However, her efforts, as well as those of Abigail Ellis (21/2) and Palesa Mokheseng (33/2), were quickly neutralized by the more impressive bowling of the Free State ladies.
Thanks Lebogang Rakoeane‘s 4/16 and two wickets of Thando Nelanethe Titans found themselves in deep trouble at 107/7 in the 26th over. It was a disappointing collapse after all the hard work Lethabo Rabalao (30) and Mieke Reynolds (25) at the top of the order.
The Limpopo impalas pushed the Garden Route Badgers especially in a new low-scoring affair. Batting first, the team from the north managed to post only 83 runs, with a contribution of 24 outs Tsepiso Dineo Motswi.
Faithlynne Karelse caused the bulk of the damage for the Badgers, finishing with 3/22 in the five overs she bowled. Another four wickets in between Tijs Frans (14/2) and Jolene Aguls (14/2) had the Impalas against the ropes. Nevertheless, they fought back energetically with good bowling of their own, especially from Murisi Rikhotso.
Rikhotso’s 4/21 temporarily shifted the momentum in favor of the Limpopo side, as the Badgers found themselves at 9/5 at one point, but a scintillating strike from Jeze Campher saved the day. Campher hit six fours and contributed a small gem of 36, failing to get her side over the line.
Zoe Knoetze‘s 41 of 69 deliveries helped Eastern Cape Linyathi to a hard-fought seven-run victory Northern Cape. Knoetze’s innings allowed Linyathi to post a defendable 122. Bokao Ntuane was the choice of the Northern Cape bowlers, sending three Linyathi batters back to the pavilion.
Northern Cape struggled to build partnerships but found some help in the form of 40 extras courtesy of Eastern Cape’s bowlers. Azomile Silhere (24/2) and Unakho Gwala (2/19), however, did enough with timely breakthroughs to lead their team to victory.
Summary scorecards:
Central Gauteng Lions 79 (Boitumelo Chuene 25*, Extras 24; Reabetswe Dithipe 3/13, Ayanda Motsothane 2/13); Northwest 80/7 (Jessica Joshua 36, ​​​​Extras 23; Samkelisiwe Mthembu 3/23, Nonhlanhla Mthembu 2/22). North West won by three wickets.
Free State 164 (Extras 57, Rethabile Nthoba 49; Mieke Reynolds 3/23, Abigail Ellis 2/21, Palesa Mokheseng 2/33); Titans 111 (Lethabo Rabalao 30, Mieke Reynolds 25, Extras 24; Lebonang Rakoeane 4/16, Thando Nelane 2/18). Vrijstaat won by 53 runs.
Limpopo Impalas 83 (Extras 37, Tshepiso Dineo Motswi 24; Faithlynne Karelse 3/22, Jolene Aguls 2/14); Garden Route Dassen 88/8 (Jeze Campher 36*, Extras 21; Murisi Rikhotso 4/21). Garden Route Badgers won by two wickets.
Eastern Cape Linyathi 122 (Extras 45, Zoe Kotze 41, Bokao 3/33, Aumile Binase 2/12); North Cape 115 (Extras 40; Unakho Gwala 2/19, Azomile Silerhe 2/24). Eastern Cape Linyathi won by seven points.
Franco is a sports fanatic from Tzaneen, a small town in Limpopo. Obsessed with both cricket and rugby, he still plays the sport at club level when he gets the chance. By combining the thrill of sports with his other passion, writing, he gets the solution every sports-crazed fan needs. In his spare time he spends quality time with family and friends, preferably around a braaivleis fire.
Franco Oberholzer
ssschoolsplus.co.za
