Snipers shot down in final
There was definite improvement in the boys' play over the holidays.
The South Coast Snipers came within one clean strike over the ropes of winning the South Coast Junior Winter Cricket League.
Clinton Moodley Cricket Academy (CMCA) had batted first and made 116-5, with Simanye Manona roaring in to take 3-13 with his Rabada-like bowling.
For CMCA, Rorke Harris showed why he ended up being the tournament’s leading run scorer, with a patient 32 off 43 on a slow wicket.
He was assisted by captain Shivesh Moodley, who made 17 off 38, with Blake Vincent making 14 off 25.
The Snipers gave away far too many extras, 44 in total, which hurt them in the end.
Other wicket-takers were Jade Jordaan 1-20 (2) and Jacques de Bruin 1-16 (2), while Reuben de Bruin was the most economical, with 0-17 in four overs.
In reply, Bertu van Reenen top-scored with 21 off 48 balls before being retired. Yusuf Moola made 20 off 25.
The big moment in the game came when Ruben van Reenen came into bat. At that stage, he was the leading run scorer.
With Ruben on three runs, left-armer Seth du Plessis came on to bowl and had him struck on the pads with one that nipped back in.
The Ellapen Elevator of Doom emerged – umpire André Ellapen’s arm moving ever so slowly upwards, finger extended.
CMCA celebrated wildly; it was a massive wicket in the context of the game.
Karlo Jacobs (18 off 21) and Simanye (14 off 17) put together an exciting partnership before both were dismissed; Karlo run out, and Simanye caught.
Yusuf Moosa crunched a six, but Ndumiso Shusha was run out chasing runs.
With Yusuf on strike with one ball left and four needed to tie, he almost got it done but toed his shot a touch, and it fell short.
Nonetheless, it was a thrilling end to what has been a wonderful tournament with some superb cricket played.
Rorke Harris was batsman and player of the tournament. Jacques de Bruin was the leading wicket-taker.
Top 10 batsman
1 Rorke Harris 235 (6)
2 Ruben van Reenen 210 (6)
3 Justin Brown 155 (7)
4 Karlo Jacobs 125 (6)
5 Sphepelo Mlambo 107 (5)
6 Zyev Mahadev 98 (5)
7 Benjamin Gasa 94 (5)
8 Bertu van Reenen 93 (7)
9 Damion Bezuidenhout 92 (7)
10 Shivesh Moodley 76 (4)
Top 10 bowlers
1 Jacques de Bruin 9-67 (12.3)
2 Rorke Harris 9-127 (20.4)
3 Juan Smith 8-73 (16)
4 Benjamin Kunz 8-84 (21)
5 Oliver Smith 7-41 (13.3)
6 Karlo Jacobs 7-49 (9)
7 Damion Bezuidenhout 7-91 (20)
8 Seth du Plessis 7-104 (15)
9 Daniel Rush 6-53 (14)
10 Shaden Ellapen 6-76 (12)
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