Northerns succumb to rivals Kempton in final
In what has become a regular occurrence in recent times, the battle for the Eastern Cricket Union’s Premier League title once again came down to a final clash between Benoni Northerns Cricket Club (BNCC) and Kempton Park Cricket Club at Sahara Park Willowmoore’s main oval on Sunday, March 26.
BNCC, who finished in second place on the final league log, had to do things the long way round by playing a second versus third play-off match against Alberton Cricket Club on Saturday, March 25 at the same venue.
In that particular match it was left-handed opening batsman and Easterns amateur Ernest Kemm who shone.
His 119 runs not out, coupled with a controlled leg spin display from teenage talent WP Myburgh, who bagged three wickets, ensured a five-wicket victory and a spot in the final the next day against their old foes.
On Sunday, BNCC’s skipper Mark Robey won the morning coin toss and elected to bat first.
The team was aware that they would need to manage the first ten overs well under cloudy skies if they were to put together a good target to defend with the ball later in the day.
That plan was quickly dismantled after the Northerns top five fell with a mere 28 runs on the board in those first 10 overs.
Aron Visser and Robey then met up at the wicket and patiently put together a 54-run partnership before Visser was run out for 21 following poor communication.
Robey soon suffered the same fate and was sent back to the change room with 33 runs to his name.
Lance Humphrey’s 26 runs from 35 deliveries was all there was to write home about, as BNCC were bowled out for 135 runs in 46.5 overs.
Kempton Park’s Armand Erasmus (3/27 in 10 overs) was the star performer for his team.
With the ball, Northerns’ opening fast bowler Humphrey had a spring in his step and had Kempton reeling at 26/4, bagging all four wickets in a quick first spell.
He ended with figures of 4/30 in 8.5 overs.
Kempton’s Marius Lubbe and Henning du Plooy knuckled down well after Humphrey’s rampant spell and patiently went about their business with the bat.
Du Plooy (top-scoring with 48 runs from 112 balls) and Lubbe (35 runs not out from 102 deliveries) formed a match-winning 78-run partnership.
Kempton’s experienced skipper Johan Fourie and Lubbe steered the team over the line in the 47th over to ensure a five-wicket win and a 10th Eastern Premier League title in 12 years for the Kempton Park club.
BNCC skipper Robey commented on the result: “We backed ourselves to put the runs on the board and to defend it.
“We didn’t do well up front at all by losing five wickets in the first ten overs and it was always going to be a big fight from there.
“We fought until the end, but probably needed an extra 40 runs.
“We should have been more disciplined with the bat and the story could have been different.
“The Kempton bowlers performed well, but we didn’t bat to our full potential.”
BNCC’s head coach Nicolaos Moragemos praised his team for a successful season.
“We got to two finals, winning one of them, and also beat the eventual champions three times in the season as well.
“We discovered some special and talented youngsters who have strengthened the club as a whole.
“Many new friendships were made and I am honoured and proud to be part of the Northerns family.
“Thank you to all our supporters, the BNCC committee and all the players for making my first season as coach a memorable one.
“We have a bright future ahead and I cannot wait to get started in the new season.”
CLICK HERE for a GALLERY of images from both matches.
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