A festival of cricket

Mariselle Stofberg and Michelline NawatisesThe saying goes that cricket is a gentleman's game and this was evident during the annual under-15 and u-17 Cricket Festival, sponsored by Africa Personnel Services (APS).The slogan for the tournament was 'respect', with all the players and teams showcasing great team spirit and respect towards each other.The five-day tournament finished on Sunday. The matches were played at three venues in Pioneers Park, namely the CCD Tigers cricket grounds, the Wanderers sports club and Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool (WAP). The overall winning team of the tournament was the APS Hurricane Wolves, who also won last year. The Wolves dominated the final against APS Thunderous Cheetahs to win by 64 runs.Batting first, the Wolves accumulated a highly competitive total of 174 for seven in their 20 overs. The star performer was Jan Hendrik Potgieter, who raced to 71 runs off only 32 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes. Ben Burger provided solid support, scoring 24 off 34 balls (1x4).Regan Elliotte from the Thunderous Cheetahs, took four wickets for 21 runs off four overs.During the match the Cheetahs were in early trouble chasing the huge total, after losing their first three batsmen for only four runs. A good fightback came during a partnership between William Lottering (38 off 39 balls, 6x4) and Gerhardus Greeff (33 off 36 balls, 2x4 and 1x6), but the team could only put together 110 runs.Daniel van der Walt, who opened the bowling for the APS Hurricane Wolves, did the early damage as he took three wickets for 12 runs off four overs. Wessel Myburgh, the CEO of APS Cricket, is excited about the coming u-19 tournament and the other tournaments that will follow. “We are hoping to see even more teams in our next tournament, seeing as we have a waiting list of 25 to 30 learners, who still want to participate. “We hope to accommodate more learners by creating more teams to allow all the kids to participate,” Myburgh said. He encouraged aspiring cricketers to believe in themselves and their abilities. “The moral of the story is that no matter how underrated your team, or you as an individual is, always believe in yourself and you will reach the highest of accomplishments.”Myburgh further advised the players to play hard, fair and always respect their opponents and the game.Ramon Wilmot, one of the experienced players of the Meteor Lions, said: “You need to practise well if you want to perform, and never give up.”APS showed that the sport is not only limited to men, but is open to anyone with the necessary skills and determination. Edelle van Zyl, a female player at the tournament, was excited to showcase her abilities and skills. “I want to prove those wrong who might think because I am a girl I don't have the same skills as they do. I take the game and the sport very seriously and want to show what I am capable of.” The summarised results of the matches were as follows:Group stage, day one (format: time cricket)Striking Eagles vs Thunderous Cheetahs (two league points each).Meteor Lions vs Volcanic Rhinos (two league points each).Hurricane Wolves (238/7) beat Vicious Falcons by an innings and 175 runs. Group stage, day two (format: 50 overs) Volcanic Rhinos (184/6) beat Striking Eagles (182 all out) by four wickets.Thunderous Cheetahs (337/8) beat Vicious Falcons (108) by 229 runs. Ettienne Beukes (Cheetahs) scored 127 off 127 balls.Hurricane Wolves (206/7) beat Meteor Lions (205 all out) by three wickets. Group stage, day three (format: 50 overs) Hurricane Wolves (130/8) beat Volcanic Rhinos (127 all out) by two wickets.Striking Eagles (322/9) beat Vicious Falcons (154 all out) by 168 runs. Kristihan Brits (Eagles) scored 117 runs off 133 balls (12x4) and also took 2/38 in 10 overs.Thunderous Cheetahs (157/8) beat Meteor Lions (156 all out) by two wickets. Group stage, day four (format: T20) Thunderous Cheetahs (126/6) beat Volcanic Rhinos (109/5) by 17 runs.Meteor Lions (134/1) beat Vicious Falcons (133/2) by nine wickets. Ramon Wilmot (Lions scored 103 not out off 35 balls, 16x4 and 2x6).Hurricane Wolves beat Striking Eagles by 24 runs. Volcanic Rhinos (122/6) beat Vicious Falcons (105/8) by 17 runs.Meteor Lions (163/1) beat Striking Eagles (162/6) by nine wickets.Hurricane Wolves (133/2) beat Thunderous Cheetahs (132) by eight wickets. Day five, finals (format: T20) Fifth place playoff: Striking Eagles (96/0) beat Vicious Falcons (94/6) by 10 wickets. Gerhard Janse van Rensburg (Falcons) scored 44 not out off 62 balls.Bronze final: Meteor Lions (132/2) beat Volcanic Rhinos (130/3) by eight wickets.Gold final: Hurricane Wolves (174/7) beat Thunderous Cheetahs (110) by 64 runs. Jan Hendrik Potgieter (Wolves) scored 71 runs off 32 balls (4x4 and 4x6).

A festival of cricket

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

Please login to leave a comment

A festival of cricket

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

Please login to leave a comment

Login