The second day of the Cubs Week in Stellenbosch featured two centuries, a hat-trick and a tied match.
The Northern Champions put their opening-day defeat by the Southern Superstars behind them with a 104-run win over the Eastern Warriors, who were on a high after defeating the Central Gladiators.
The Champions’ Divan Engelbrecht began the onslaught with his 101 to help his side reach 260-6 in their 50 overs. Ngobeni (34) and Dewan Marais (85) shared a partnership of 149 for the fourth wicket.
Engelbrecht only joined the team in the morning after being called up from holiday in Hermanus the day before, and had to isolate while waiting for his Covid-19 test result.
Then it was 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) in succession. He ended up with figures of 5-19 as the Warriors were bowled out for 156.
The match between the Western Legends and the defending champion Southern Superstars ended in a thrilling tie.
The Legends posted 219-9 thanks to 102 by opening batter JP King, before the Superstars were bowled out in the 46th over, one run short of victory, with 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 the bat.
The Central Gladiators recovered from 16-3 against the Coastal Conquerers to make 260-9.
However, it was still not enough to secure victory as the Conquerers reached the target with three wickets remaining. Dean Bacher (89) and Ravat Yusuf (73) shared a partnership of 128 for the sixth wicket, while Zack Momberg faced only 34 deliveries in his explosive innings of 56*.
Banele Cele (4-49) and Alexander Vermeulen (3-44) caused the Gladiators batters the most problems.
The foundation for the Conquerers’ victory was laid by a 121-run partnership for the third wicket by Adrien Fischer (72) and Nathan Trevethan. Captain Jake Carstens (72*) then saw his team home.
Bacher (3-30) was the pick of the Gladiators bowling attack.
All the day three 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 (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 between Western Legends and Southern Superstars
Western Legends: 219-9 (JP King 102, S Sessing 28; L Waqu 4-33)
Southern Superstars: 219 (M Joseph 39, M Prince 34; S Nel 4-33, M Chabalala 3-50)
