With the match moved to Boksburg’s Prince George Park ground, due to Duduza’s adopted Sahara Park Willowmoore Cricket Stadium home used for athletics purposes, Boksburg’s odds of claiming the win were significantly increased but Duduza were not going to be moved.
Sent to bat first after coming second best in the pre-match coin toss, captain Len Meyer and John Haywood were tasked to open their team’s batting innings as they hoped to bounce back from a tough few weeks where wins had dried up.
But signs of Boksburg’s unlucky run likely to continue were evident early on as their two experienced campaigners got knocked off for a combined 15 (Haywood four; Meyer 11).
Haywood was joined by three of his teammates in the four-run category with Freddie Whitehorn, Maxwell Meyer and JP van Staden returning to the bench just after four runs as Meyer’s men’s struggles became more stark.
The PG Park outfit went on to finish with a minute 101 all out after 35 overs, leaving Duduza licking their lips.
The side led by Mpho Nzimande wasted little time in their chase and it took them only 18 overs to overhaul Boksburg’s total.
After Dylan Stanley’s dismissal (27 runs), Buntu Ndlela’s undefeated 40 and Musa Thwala’s unbeaten four steered their side to the win.
Tumelo Simelane’s bowling performance warrants credit, making a nuisance of himself to the Boksburg batting order as he took 3/21 in nine of his 10 allotted overs – including two maidens.
“Batting was very hard,” admitted the skipper.
“I opened and was dismissed with my score at 11 just to indicate how hard it was out there.
“We were beaten by a better side, we don’t have any excuses but we will keep fighting to the end,” said Meyer. – @SabeloBoksburg