High drama unfolded in the final of the South Coast Winter Cricket League last Saturday, with Clinton Moodley Cricket Academy (CMCA) beating South Coast Snipers by a mere four runs.
The final, played at Port Shepstone Country Club, went down to the very last ball, which almost went for six and, if it had, would have won the match for the Snipers.
But in the end, it was Clinton Moodley Cricket Academy’s team that were crowned champions after seven games of exciting and entertaining cricket.
CMCA batted first and made 116 for 5. Rorke Harris made 32, and skipper Shivesh Moodley 17. Best of the bowlers was speedster Simanye Manona with 3-13.
In response, Snipers were going along steadily, with Bertu van Reenen (21) and YY Moola (20) very solid.
Then Ruben van Reenen, the tournament’s leading run-scorer to that point, came to the crease.
It was an over or two later that pint-sized left-arm seamer Seth du Plessis delivered arguably the best delivery of his fledgling career.
He had Ruben struck on the pads. It was a huge moment as the appeals resounded around the field.
There was a wait that seemed like an eternity… then out came ‘The Elevator’ – umpire André Ellapen’s finger raised with about the same speed as an elevator, something similar to former umpire Rudi Koetzen’s Slow Finger of Death.
When it reached its zenith, the boys went a little crazy in celebration.
There had been a little bit of late nip off the track, and not much the batsman could do except walk off.
Ruben was out for only three, and the game was on again.
However, it wasn’t over just yet, as Karlo Jacobs (18) and Simanye (14) put on a decent partnership to give Snipers hope.
They got close before being dismissed.
Yusuf Moosa cracked a quick six off his first ball and almost did it again off the last ball, but it was slightly toed and fell just short.
Wicket takers for CMCA were Blake Vincent, Seth 1-21 and Justin Brown.
At the end of it all, cricket was without doubt the winner. It was fantastic seeing spectators around the field watching youngsters enjoy the game of cricket.
Player and batsman of the tournament was Rorke Harris. Bowler of the tournament was Jacques de Bruin.
CMCA team for the final was Shivesh Moodley (c), Justin Brown, Rorke Harris, Blake Vincent, Reece Ruiter, Neil Bezuidenhout, Liam Jackson, Stefanie Gerber (wkt), Seth du Plessis, Bryden Mitchell and Anton Bezuidenhout.
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