KwaThema Cricket Club, the winners

Despite being faced with non-conducive practice facilities and other disadvantage factors, the club strives towards being an elite club as this has been evident through its performances in the last three encounters, particularly with the premier team.

The team was faced with an interesting game over the past weekend as it played against Actonville. With five matches remaining on the fixtures’ list, both teams were determined to fight for the number four spot, so this was a greatly anticipated match.

“The most critical aspect in preparation for this match was our mental and strategical plan for this encounter,” says the KwaThema premier captain Ephraim Nyawo.

The KwaThema team lost the toss and had to bowl first in a good all-round pitch which, arguably, favoured the side batting first according to the history stats of the pitch.

They started like a house on fire as they managed to destroy the top five Actonville batters, courtesy of a splendid performance by the youngest talented player, Albert ‘Vernon’ Mohlala. On his debut, he took a five-wicket haul with figures of 5/15, well-supported by his captain Ephraim ‘Toffas’ Nyawo (2/25) and Musa ‘Hargh’ Mancele (1/16). With all these superb highlights KwaThema restricted Actonville to an embarrassing total of 83 all out.

KwaThema went in to bat with strict instructions from the captain to bat positively, but with lots of caution. The task seemed too easy for the KwaThema batters as they managed to get a total of 85/3 with ease. A good base was laid by the most prolific senior batsman, Maxwell ‘Maxy’ Mtsweni with his 30 not out and a young star, Njabulo ‘Great-Wall’ Zondi with 21 not out.

“This was a great show of quality cricket and I am happy with all the efforts the boys have put in, particularly our chasing abilities have been superb recently,” says Ephraim.

KwaThema’s second team senior player, Bandile ‘Zoy’ Sithole, says the second team did not secure a victory this weekend, however, a lot of positives emerged from the match.

KwaThema’s first team will be faced with a tough encounter this weekend as it plays the number one team on the log, Kempton Park, at Barnard A, while the second team will be looking to redeem themselves against Benoni.

KwaThema’s Cricket Club chairman Peter Vonya, says he believes that it is the only team that can cause the biggest upset and team members will put their heads down and work hard towards this coming weekend. He says they also pride themselves on the fact that they take time to build their young emerging talent with their own original players as they do not view themselves as an emerging club but as an elite club.

He appeals to schools, teachers, parents and all sponsors to invest their time and any other means to develop the KwaThema Cricket Club. All senior teams practice on Fridays at 3pm and Saturdays at 9am.