06 Feb Cobras maintain 100% record at Cubs Week
STELLENBOSCH: Jordan Hermann’s second century in three games helped the Momentum Multiply Titans bounce back from defeat with victory over the Hollywoodbets Dolphins on the third day of the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Under-19 Franchise Cubs Week in Stellenbosch on Friday.
However, it was the Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras that continued to dominate the 14th edition of the tournament after they made it three wins from three at the University of Stellenbosch, which is staging the event in a bio-secure environment (BSE).
Captain Hermann, who plundered 139 on day one, struck exactly 100* off 125 balls (6 fours, 1 six) as the Titans thumped the Dolphins by eight wickets at Tassies Oval.
Bowling first after winning the toss, the Centurion-based outfit bowled out their opponents for 196 in their 50 overs, with Hermann also the pick of the bowlers with two for seven. There were also two wickets for Nathan Steyn (2/29) and Christiaan Daniels (2/23).
Luc Benkenstein endured a rare low score with 26, but Colby Dyer did manage to shoulder the responsibility for the KwaZulu-Natal outfit with a vital 73 off 98 balls (3 fours, 3 sixes).
The all-rounder also claimed the only two wickets to fall in the Titans’ chase, but left-hander Hermann was in superb form once again – his three-figure score helping his side to their target in 44.4 overs.
Despite the win, the men from the Highveld are still chasing the Cobras at the summit of the table after they were made to work hard to beat the winless Warriors.
Batting first after winning the toss at the Maties C Field, the Eastern Cape franchise notched up one of the biggest totals of the week – a mighty 284 for five – thanks to another masterclass by their ever-reliable captain George van Heerden.
Another one of the stars of the week, he hammered seven sixes and a four in his innings of 81* off 53 balls, adding to strong efforts by his team-mates Adam du Plessis (87 off 122 balls, 13 fours) and Jade Smith (85 off 103 balls, 7 fours, 4 sixes).
However, Daniel Smith’s 58 off 73 balls (7 fours) and 67 off 70 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes) by Kai Curran ensured the Cobras stayed up with the rate, before late cameos from Michael Levitt (35) and Kaden Solomon (28) lifted their side to the 285 target with 16 balls to spare.
Finally, the Imperial Lions eased to a mammoth 125-run victory over the VKB Knights on the main Coetzenburg Oval field.
Caleb Saleka (3/7), the bowler with the best figures on the day, and Liam Alder (3/16) were the stars for their side by helping flatten the Central Franchise for just 87 in 26.4 overs.
This was in reply to a score of 202 for eight in which Hienrigh Pieterse top-scored with 45 and Nkhanyiso Mkhize hit 38. That total proved too big for the Knights as the Lions made it two wins from three.
The tournament, with selected matches live streamed on SuperSport channel 245 via the DSTV Now app, is the foundation of the Talent Acceleration Programme (TAP) and all the players competing have a chance to be selected in the SA Under-19 squad that is due to be announced shortly after its conclusion.
Day four of the U19 Franchise Cubs Week continues on Saturday. To follow all the action live from Stellenbosch, visit www.pitchvision.com.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 06 February 2021
Imperial Lions vs Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras at Tassies Oval, Stellenbosch
Hollywoodbets Dolphins vs VKB Knights at Maties C Field, Stellenbosch
Momentum Multiply Titans vs Warriors at Coetzenburg Oval, Stellenbosch
Sunday, 07 February 2021
Final: 1st vs 2nd at Coetzenburg Oval, Stellenbosch
3rd vs 4th at Tassies Oval, Stellenbosch
5th vs 6th Maties D Field, Stellenbosch
TEAMS:
HOLLYWOODBETS DOLPHINS CUBS: Slade van Staden (KZN Inland), Nicholas Hatton (KZN Inland), Andile Simelane (KZN Inland), Luc Bekenstein (KZN Inland), Keagan Crawford (KZN Inland), Matthew Boast (KZN Inland), Sanele Mbatha (KZN Inland), Colbe Dyer (KZN Inland), Chad Laycock (KZN Coastal), Ronan Vardaya (KZN Coastal), Thulani Cheliza (KZN Coastal), Joshua Stride (KZN Coastal), Banele Cele (KZN Coastal), Andile Wanda (KZN Coastal).
IMPERIAL LIONS CUBS: Phemelo Sepathi (North West), Liam McCarthy (GCL), Heinrigh Pieterse (GCL), Taheer Isaacs (GCL), Gerard Coetzee (GCL), Michael Copeland (GCL), Caleb Seleka (North-West), Nkhanyiso Mkhize (GCL), Simo Potelwa (GCL), Zack Momberg (GCL), Liam Alder (GCL), Ronan Herrmann (GCL), Reuben du Toit (GCL), Samuel Ruwisi (GCL).
MOMENTUM MULTIPLY TITANS CUBS: Om Thakkar (Northerns), Jordan Hermann (Northerns), Zeeshan Ismail (Northerns), Kagiso Ngwenya (Northerns), Akhulile Makatu (Mpumalanga), Jan Hendrik (Hardus) Coetzer (Northerns), Khayalethu (Khaya) Nyamathe (Easterns), Christiaan Daniels (Northerns), Ryan Maxl (Easterns), Selo (Valentine) Kitime (Northerns), Dewald Brevis (Northerns), Jabulani Nkosi (Northerns), Khaif Patel (Limpopo), Nathan Steyn (Easterns).
SIX GUN GRILL CAPE COBRAS CUBS: Daniel Smith (Western Province), Ethan Cunningham (Western Province), Kai Curran (Western Province), Siyambonga Nyawose (Western Province), Dewald Grove (Boland), Kamvelethu Feni (South Western Districts), Michael Levitt (Western Province), Nicholas Keevy (Boland), Kaden Solomon (Western Province), Nathan Jacobs (Boland), Darian Naidoo (Western Province), Ayabonga Ngondo (South Western Districts), Salmaan Ajam (Western Province), Asakhe Tsaka (Western Province).
WARRIORS CUBS: Adam du Plessis, Jade Smith, Ziphozinhle Ruiters, George van Heerden, Sonwabiso Tshona, Garwin Dampies, Ethan Frosler, Adam Richards, Lihle Sizani, Matt Fourie, Joshua Stevenson, Eli Thorne, Hlonela Bune, Aphiwe Mnyanda.
VKB KNIGHTS CUBS: JD Bruwer (Free State), Yusuf Suliman (Northern Cape), Reeza Alexander (Free State), Boitumelo Melesi (Northern Cape), Gerrit Badenhorst (Free State), Lerato Nqoyi (Free State), Mvula Chabalala (Free State), Matthew Davids (Free State), Mbongi Mhlanga (Free State), Marco Fouche (Free State), Zander Rasmussen (Free State), Liam Doherty (Free State), Sello Sesing (Free State), GJ Maree (Free State).