THE year-end holidays were officially welcomed to the Kingdom of the Zulu on Tuesday evening at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead as the Hollywoodbets Showdown at the Coast T20 Charity Challenge between the Sunfoil Dolphins and Cell C Sharks – won by the cricketers by 26 runs – was fun filled, family orientated and festive.
Complete with Mexican waves and flashing stumps, one-handed catches on the field and drop catches off it, dubious celeb umpires decision and mascot dance offs, dancing girls and pumping music, the day was unquestionably a festive one for all of the 3400 in attendance.
Batting first, the Sunfoil Dolphins set their rugby counterparts an imposing target of 228 for victory after Calvin Savage (50 retired), Frylinck (48) and Cameron Delport (43) bludgeoned the Cell C Sharks bowlers to all parts of the
ground despite Jaco van Tonder’s (3/27) best efforts.
In response the Sharks lads started steadily thanks to squad newcomer Rhyno Smith (52) before center Andre Esterhuizen sent no fewer than three deliveries sailing high and handsomely over the West Stand in his effort of 33.
In the end it wasn’t enough from the rugby players though as the cricketers prevailed, earning themselves a 2-1 advantage after three editions of the clash.
While the day saw the coming together of two of Durban’s sporting greats, it was also one of generous support from Hollywoodbets of the day’s two beneficiaries, Umlazi Cricket Club and the Malvern Children’s Home.
Hollywoodbets’ upfront amount of R20000 to the two beneficiaries was soon amplified further as every six hit on the evening adding another R500 to the shared tally with no fewer than 27 balls clearing the ropes on the night.
The day’s action started with the two franchises’ stars of yesteryear locked in a six-a-side clash between Lance Klusener’s Sunfoil Dolphins Legends and John Smit’s Cell C Sharks Legends which the cricketers claimed by just eight runs.
Batting first, Shaun Pollock and Errol Stewart gave the Dolphins Legends the start they were looking for, guiding their side to 58 for three.
In reply, the Cell Sharks Legends stuttered early on as Doug Watson and Stewart claimed two wickets apiece. A brave partnership between Ryan Strudwick and Eduard Coetzee brought the rugby
aces closer but in the end it wasn’t enough as they finished on 50 for four, handing the Sunfoil Dolphins Legends an eight run win.
cap:
The Sunfoil Dolphins captain Morné van Wyk (right)
poses with Cell C Sharks stand-in captain Cobus Reinach (left) after the
Dolphins won the Hollywoodbets Showdown at the Coast T20 Charity Challenge on
Tuesday evening at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead. Photo: Howard Cleland/Gameplan Media
