As the year draws to a close, it’s worthwhile looking back and reviewing some of the highlights in the sporting arena in the past 12 months.
Spectacle of the year
While Benoni hosted some stellar events, this crown belongs to the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup at Willowmoore Park.
The venue hosted 14 matches between January 14 and 20, and, boy, the event was nothing short of perfect. The main pavilion and grass bunkers were always full because locals came in their numbers to show their support.
We witnessed proper cricket played at a high intensity, with India’s star players Shafali Verma, Shweta Sehrawat and Richa Ghosh showing their mettle. SA’s Madison Landsman created history when she became the first player to take a hat-trick in the tournament.
Biggest achievement
The local clubs went down to KZN for the Comrades Marathon and had their fair share of successes. Benoni Northerns performed better than any local club, achieving 10 silver, 17 Bill Rowan, 43 Robert Mtshali, 40 bronze and 38 Vic Clapham medals when 148 of its runners finished the race.
But the true achiever was Northerns’ top runner, Shane McGregor. After his gutsy performance last year, the 31-year-old smashed his Comrades PB by 43 minutes as he crossed the line 93rd overall and 63rd in his category, finishing in style in 06:13:27.
Best individual performance
No athlete deserves this honour other than Landsman.
She will always be remembered as the first cricketer to take a hat-trick in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. She did it under pressure, carrying the hopes of SA on her back and with the whole world watching.
SA played Scotland in their second match when she entered the attack in the 10th over. She produced her magic in the 15th over when she tore through the Scotland middle order.
She first dismissed Maryam Faisal, then Niamh Muir and then grabbed her hat-trick with a slower delivery around off-stump that sent the bails flying, sending Orla Montgomery back to the shed.
That was special.
Rising star/s of the year
Chelsea van Dyk, Mahlatse Mamonyane, Keown Botha, Parker Cik or Nqobile Banda? The list is endless. All impressed in their sporting disciplines. Whoever we choose, Benoni is ripe with young talent, and I implore scouts to come here and see for themselves.
The future is bright.
Thumbs-down of the year
Nothing was as cruel as seeing our sporting facilities continue to rot. It’s heartbreaking to see complexes, stadiums and recreational facilities being vandalised and not maintained while those tasked with the job hide in their fancy offices in Germiston, waiting for their fat paychecks.
Shame on those running this municipality.
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