It was the most eventful day at Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) annual Cubs Week in Stellenbosch on Tuesday. Two centuries were scored, a player took a hat-trick and for the first time ever a match at the tournament ended in a tie.

The Northern Champions managed to quickly put their defeat in the opening match against the Southern Superstars behind them. The Champions faced the Eastern Warriors who were on a high after defeating the Central Gladiators on the first day.

The Champions’ Divan Engelbrecht (101) started the onslaught with his century helping his side reach 260/6 in their allotted 50 overs.

Engelbrecht only joined the team in the morning after being called up from vacation in Hermanus the day earlier and had to spend time in isolation while waiting for his negative Covid-test.

Then it was the time for fast bowler Letsholo Selemela to shine as he bagged a hat-trick by removing Casey Keevy (7), Ben van der Merwe (0) and Siphamandla Bashe (0) from the crease with successive deliveries. He received assistance with all three wickets from the wicketkeeper, Shelton Ngobeni. 

Selemela ended up with a five-wicket haul at the cost of just 19 runs.

Ngobeni (34) and Dewan Marais (85) earlier had also assisted Engelbrecht with the bat. Engelbrecht and Marais shared a partnership of 149 runs over the fourth wicket.

The Western Legends and the defending champions, the Southern Superstars, match ended in a tie. The Legends reached 219/9 in their allotted 50 overs thanks to a century by their opening batsman JP King (102).

The Superstars was bowled out in the 46th over, one solitary run short of bagging a victory. Stefan Nel (4/33) and Mvula Chabalala (3/50) causing most of the damage. For the Superstars Maahir Joseph (39), Meeka-eel Prince (34), Liyema Waqu (24*) and Tyler Williams (21) all chipped in with contributions.

The Gladiators managed to recover really well after being deep in trouble at 16/3 against the Coastal Conquerers. They even dropped further into trouble to 53/5 and managed to recover to 260/9 after their allotted overs.

It was however still not enough to secure a victory as the Conquerers (262/7) reached the target with three wickets still in the bag.  Dean Bacher (89) and Ravat Yusuf (73) was excellent in the recovery. They shared a partnership of 128 runs over the sixth wicket to give their team a fighting chance.

Zack Momberg (56*) also added some substance to the Gladiators total as he only faced 34 deliveries in his explosive innings at the end. Banele Cele (4/49) and Alexander Vermeulen (3/44) caused the Gladiators’ batsmen the most problems with their bowling.

For the Conquerers, the foundation for the victory was laid by a 121-run partnership over the third wicket by Adrien Fischer (72) and Nathan Trevethan. Their captain, Jake Carstens (72*), then saw them home with three wickets to spare.

Bacher (3/30) was also the pick of the Gladiators bowling attack.

Following an eventful second day, all the exciting Day 3 action will be streamed live on the SuperSport Schools App and website, with live scorecards available on www.pitchvision.co.za.

DAY 2 RESULTS: 

  • Northern Champions beat Eastern Warriors by 104 runs

Northern Champions: 260 / 6 (D. Engelbrecht 101, D. Marais 85; D. Ristow 2 / 39, O. Goqoza 2 / 46)

Eastern Warriors: 156 / 10 ( C. Williams 40, J. Upman 29; L. Selemela 5 / 19, A. Khan 3 / 27  

  • Coastal Conquerers beat Central Gladiators by three wickets

Central Gladiators: 260 / 9 (D. Bacher 89, R. Yusuf 73, B. Cele 4 / 49, A. Vermeulen 3 / 44)

Coastal Conquerers: 262 / 7 (A. Fischer 73, J. Carstens 72*; D. Bacher 4 / 30, G. Ford 3 / 43)

  • Match tied

Western Legends: 219 / 9 (JP King 102, S. Sessing 28; L. Waqu 4 / 33)

Southern Superstars: 219 / 10 (M. Joseph 39, M. Prince 34; S. Nel 4 / 33, M. Chabalala 3 / 50)

CUBS WEEK 2022 FIXTURES: 

WEDNESDAY, 12 JANUARY 

  • Central Gladiators vs Western Legends – Coetzenburg 
  • Southern Superstars vs Eastern Warriors – Tassies Oval 
  • Northern Champions vs Coastal Conquerers – Maties D 

THURSDAY, 13 JANUARY 

  • Central Gladiators vs Northern Campions – Coetzenburg 
  • Southern Superstars vs Coastal Conquerers – Tassies Oval 
  • Western Legends vs Eastern Warriors – Maties C / D 

FRIDAY, 14 JANUARY 

  • Central Gladiators vs Southern Superstars – Coetzenburg
  • Northern Champions vs Western Legends – Maties C / D
  • Coastal Conquerers vs Eastern Warriors – Tassies Oval 

CUBS WEEK 2022 TEAMS: 

CENTRAL GLADIATORS

Nkanyiso Mkhize, Dean Bacher, Christopher King, Reuben du Toit, Zack Momberg, Simo Potelwa, Talha Chavoos, Billy van Zyl, Kyle Glennistor, Ravat Yusuf, Tshepo Stafa, Greg Ford, Richard Seletswane

COASTAL CONQUERERS

Banele Cele, Alexander Vermeulen, Romashen Pillay, Jake Carstens, Thabiso Ndlela, Chad Laycock, Nathan Ngugi, Makabongwe Ngcobo, Oyama Ntshona, Nathan Trevethan, Bonga Shezi, Ntando Zuma, Slade van Staden

EASTERN WARRIORS 

Siphamandla Bashe, Daniel Ristow, Butsha Mfazwe, Cameron Williams, Ben van der Merwe, Russel Peterson, Casey Keevy, Cormey van der Watt, Ian Baard, Eathan Frosler, Akhona Ratyana, Bune Hlonela, Olwakhe Goqoza

NORTHERN CHAMPIONS

Nathan Steyn, Amaan Khan, Christiaan Daniels, Sinethemba Ngeyane, Letsholo Selemela, Schalk Engelbrecht, William Tshoke, Arnaud du Plessis, Shelton Ngobeni, Modise Maloka, Christiaan du Toit, Khaif Patel, Dewan Marais

SOUTHERN SUPERSTARS 

Nathan Jacobs, Abdullah Bayoumy, Meeka-eel Prince, Jesse Prodehl, Abel Mokwena, Basil George, Liyema Waqu, Bongile Mfunelwa, Gysbert Wege, Tyler Williams, Juan James, Maahir Josesph, Cameron Fraser

WESTERN LEGENDS

Mvula Chabalala, Hanro Swanepoel, Matthew Davids, Corne Prinsloo, Jayden Davids, Bathabile Masigo, Mboniseni Mhlanga, Tshireletso Tikoe, Stefan Nel, Rico Fryer, Sello Sessing, JP King, Joe Meyer