A smashing success for 2016 NPL

North West Cricket capped the end of their 2015/16 season in fine style with the 2016 Sedgars North West Premier League (NPL) T20 tournament, which delivered three days of cracking cricket action at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom from 15-17 April.

The Oranje Toyota Cruisers, Senwes Spinners, Consensus Crusaders and Red Devils fought tooth and nail for the prize but, after eight matches, it was clear to see who would get their hands on it.

The Oranje Toyota Cruisers were crowned champions after a dominating display against the Consensus Crusaders in the final, led by the captain, Wihan Lubbe’s willow. “Big Fudge” clobbered 83 from 44 balls in a man of the match effort as the Cruisers cruised to their target of 148 runs, winning by 9 wickets. Lubbe also bagged the player of the tournament award for his ever growing trophy cabinet.

Richardt Frenz ably supported his captain with an undefeated knock of 55 of 40 balls. His majestic strokeplay through the covers was elegance personified. Credit must also be given to Johannes “JD” Diseko who had a fantastic tournament with the ball, picking up 4/20 in the final. In the end, it was quite fitting that Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom’s, Ruan von Abo, hit the winning runs, as it justified the tournament’s policy of identifying young talent.

His teammate at Volkies, Cobus Crowther, also had a stunning tournament for the Crusaders and was duly awarded a place in the All-Star team. His four wickets in four balls against the Senwes Spinners won the game for his team.

Boundaries flew to all corners of the ground as some of the top names in the province got stuck in. The batsmen did not always have it their own way as the bowlers also showed their mettle with the white ball. Last, but not least, fielding also played a crucial part in this tournament where the margin of error came down to a few millimetres on occasion. Ruan Haasbroek’s run out from a direct hit for the Senwes Spinners against the Red Devils is testament to this.

North West Cricket CEO, Heinrich Strydom was pleased with the quality of cricket played and the competitive nature of North West Cricket. “I want to thank all the players for their attitude during the tournament. It was fantastic to see,” he said at the awards presentation after the final.
Results:
15 April
1)Senwes Spinners vs Red Devils – Spinners win by 52 runs
2)Consensus Crusaders vs Oranje Toyota Cruisers – Cruisers win by 6 wickets
3)Red Devils vs Oranje Toyota Cruisers – Cruisers win by 9 wickets.
16 April
1)Red Devils vs Consensus Crusaders – Crusaders win by 9 wickets
2)Oranje Toyota Cruisers vs Senwes Spinners – Spinners win by 4 wickets
3)Consensus Crusaders vs Senwes Spinners – Crusaders win by 17 runs.
17 April
Plate final: Red Devils vs Senwes Spinners – Red Devils win by 12 runs
Final: Consensus Crusaders vs Oranje Toyota Cruisers – Cruisers win by 9 wickets.
2016 Grainvest All-Stars:
Rassie van der Dussen, Wihan Lubbe, Richardt Frenz, Janneman Malan, Kagiso Rapulana, André Malan, Bjorn Fortuin, Marno Pretorius, Cobus Crowther, Johannes Diseko, JP le Roux, CJ Ferreira and Andreas Joubert. Team manager: Koos Rousseau. Coach: Andries Huisamen.

See more photos here: Sedgars NPL Photos