NW Rural Dragons take Inland title
They were crowned as RCSA Inland winners after winning four of their 5 games, only losing to Free State.
The North West Rural Dragons were crowned the Rural Cricket SA Inland winners after beating top teams at the tournament in Bethlehem from 7 to 11 February 2024.
They were crowned as RCSA Inland winners after winning four of their 5 games, only losing to Free State. The team consisted of club players who excelled at their club during the season.
Ferdi Snyman of Impala captained the team with various club cricketers (all non-NWU teams) being open for selection. Former NWU and NW Dragons fast bowler Bantu Dandala coached the side, with Christo Gous managing the team.
The tournament consisted of two 50-over matches and three T20 matches. The management also decided to take along three young men from the u.19 side who did well at a club level this season so far.
Mohammed Bulbulia (Fields College); Marneau Dreyer (Wesvalia), and Thuto Motjoi (Jouberton High) were also members of the NW under-19 side this season, and they stuck it out with the big boys.
“I am very proud of what the boys achieved in Bethlehem. I learnt a lot of lessons as a coach, which I will take forward with me in my coaching career. The players sometimes needed strong character, which they took in their stride. They made my first tournament and first trophy as a coach something special, and one I won’t forget,” stated head coach Bantu Dandala.
Results:
1. NW Rural Dragons 285/9
Mohammed Bulbulia 70 (86) Estiaan Schonfeldt 56 (55) Lohard Jansen van Rensburg 54 (62)
Northern Cape 125/10 Kamogelo (Max) Sereo 7.5 overs 1 maiden 20 runs 5 wickets Phemelo Sepati 5 overs 0 maidens 15 runs 1 wickets Estiaan Schonfeldt 4 overs 0 maidens 15 runs 1 wickets
NW Rural Dragons won by 160 runs
2. NW Rural Dragons 229/10
Marneau Dreyer 61 (62) Lohard Janse van Rensburg 50 (39) Johan Ranft 28 (39)
Mpumalanga 90/10
Thuto Motjoi 10 overs 2 maiden 24 runs 3 wickets Phemelo Sepati 3.1 overs 0 maidens 8 runs 2 wickets Stiaan Swanepoel 5 overs 2 maidens 19 runs 2 wickets
NW Rural Dragons won by 139 runs
3. North West Rural Dragons 161/3 in 20 Overs
Estiaan Schonfeldt 68 (35) Marneau Dreyer 40 (36) Lohard Jansen van Rensburg 18 (9)
KZN Coastal 97/8
Max Sereo 4 overs 0 maiden 22 runs 3 wickets Phemelo Sepati 3 overs 0 maidens 13 runs 2 wickets Thuto Motjoi 4 overs 0 maidens 26 runs 2 wickets
North West Rural Dragons win by 64 runs
4. Free State 120/7 in 20 overs
Marneau Dreyer 2 overs 0 maidens 16 runs 2 wickets Ferdi Snyman 4 overs 0 maidens 18 runs 1 wicket
Tshireletso Tikoe 4 overs 0 maidens 9 runs 1 wickets
NW Rural Dragons 59/10
Estiaan Schonfeldt 16 (15) Free State won by 61 runs 5. Gauteng 60/10 in 18 Overs Marneau Dreyer 2 overs 0 maidens 3 runs 2 wickets Phumelo Sepati 1.2 overs 0 maidens 3 runs 2 wickets Thuto Motjoi 4 overs 1 maidens 6 runs 2 wickets Max Sereo 4 overs 0 maidens 13 runs 2 wickets
NW Rural Dragons 61/1 in 14.2 overs
Mohammed Bulbulia 33*(39) Marneau Dreyer 15*(30)
NW Rural Dragons won by 9 wickets.
The following players made up the squad: Mohammed Bulbulia (Impala); Johann Ranft (Klerksdorp Travellers); Marneau Dreyer (Travelling Reefs); Max Sereo (Ikageng); Estiaan Schonfeldt (Impala); Lohard Jansen van Rensburg (Potch Dorp); Phemelo Sepati ( Ikageng); Stian Swanepoel (Potch Dorp); Tshireletso Tikoe (Ikageng); Jandre Lotheringen (Impala) Junior Mathe (Ikageng); Thuto Motjoi (Travelling Reefs)
