Reiger Park Cricket Club have won the 2021/22 Third League recently, 23 years on from their last win in this league.
The league falls under the auspices of the Eastern Cricket Union and consisted of 10 teams. The club, established in 1997 and known as Reiger Park Tigers, beat Boksburg B in their last match.
The Tigers won by four wickets. This is after Boksburg B batted first and were bowled out for 123 in 24.1 overs.
The Tigers managed 124/6 with 14,5 overs to spare.
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According to chairperson and batsman of the club, Paul Canham, the season has been fruitful even though they needed to rebuild due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Each match we’ve played, whether it was T20 format or 35 over format, served as a valuable learning opportunity especially to our youngsters.
“The competition within the league was very good, and it showed in the close ending of the log standings. The commitment of each individual contributed to the success that was achieved,” said Canham.
The best bowler for the club was Lincoln Van Ross with 16 wickets for the season and the best batsman was Paul Canham with 171 runs.
In regard to fielding performances, Canham said that this area proved a bit of a challenge but they have backed themselves and worked hard at fixing their fielding.
“Despite the lack of proper training facilities, we have managed to form a solid team spirit and as a club coming from a disadvantaged background, we managed to score a local sponsor in Sunrise Petrol Station, which is owned by one of our players, Muhammed Kashif Kaliqi,” said the batsman.
Kaliqi procured full white kits for all the players and donated full playing gear with cricket bats.
The player also paid for and secured the rental of the cricket training facilities for the club.
“He loaned us a generator in order to have lights at our ground where there are challenges with electrification.
Our groundsman, Winston Nelson, ensured our field is in top class condition for home games.
“The pandemic has certainly changed the way cricket has been played but we have embraced the changes and kept our vision clear in terms of building something remarkable and afford every youngster the opportunity to showcase their talent.
“Games like the one we played with Thokoza CC, Alberton CC and our last match with Boksburg B are a great highlight of the season as we got the most out of those games.”
For more information about the Rieger Park Cricket Club, contact chairperson Paul Canham on 060 980 0495.
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