Gladiators ahead in Declaration Tournament… ‘It’s all about the points’

Wicket Wasps played it safe to secure a draw, scoring 158/3 with unbeaten batsmen, Juan Booyens (67) and Ashley van den Heever (32) being the top run scorers.

After an epic batting partnership, Juan Booyens inspects his bat as he leaves the field, unbeaten, with Ashley van den Heever.

TWO games were played at Cecil Emmett Park last weekend.

Charl van der Berg retrieves the ball near the boundary for Mr X.

On Saturday, Bhekuzulu batted first against the Afrimat Gladiators in a Kingsmead Mynahs 30 over match and scored 119 for 8 in the allotted overs. Openers, Thabo Masondo (54) and Nkosinathi Zwane (34), top scored for Bhekuzulu while Thomas Bezuidenhout (6-0-32-3) and Connor High (5-2-11-2) were the Gladiators’ top bowlers.

Mr X captain, Marco Vosloo (right) and bowler, Jean Botha (left), look on in dismay as Hendrie Kruger’s dropped catch almost culminates in a run for the two Wicket Wasps batsmen, Ashley van den Heever and Juan Booyens.

In a well-disciplined run chase, the Gladiators reached the target in the 22nd over, losing three wickets. Andrew Vorster (63 not out) and Connor High (16) were top scorers. Bhekuzulu’s best bowlers were Bongikosi Mkhonza (5-0-19-1) and Sbongakonke Thabede (5-0-25-1). The Afrimat Gladiators won by seven wickets.

The Sunday match was a declaration encounter between Mr X and Wicket Wasps. Mr X batted first and managed to score 260/8 in 48 overs with Jean Botha (132) and Gavin Bosman (58) being the top run-scorers for them.

After an epic batting partnership, Juan Booyens inspects his bat as he leaves the field, unbeaten, with Ashley van den Heever.

Wicket Wasps best bowling figures came from Tiaan Naudè (10-1-45-2) and Triztian Nel (5-0-23-2). With 32 overs remaining in the day, Wicket Wasps played it safe to secure a draw, scoring 158/3 with unbeaten batsmen, Juan Booyens (67) and Ashley van den Heever (32) being the top run scorers. Marco Vosloo from Mr X claimed the three wickets and ended with figures of 8-1-22-3.

Juan Booyens put Mr X bowlers through their paces as top scorer for Wicket Wasps.

This coming weekend’s fixtures will be played at Cecil Emmett. On Saturday, a Kingsmead Mynahs 30 over match will be played between eMondlo and Dumbe at 1:30pm and on Sunday, the first match of the Kennedy Cup 50 overs will start, with Wicket Wasps facing Afrimat Gladiators at 10am.