Lighties tops in cricket
Daryn Wood
THE Heatherbank (YCA) Corporate 20-Over Cricket Summer League saw over 20 teams in three divisions battle it out over the past few months, culminating in the finals on April 6 and 7.
Thrilling cricket was displayed as all three finals went down to the last over.
The Castle Lighties won their first First Division final when they beat long-standing rivals Atlantic Kings by one wicket chasing 139/5.
In the Second Division The Sluggers successfully defended their score of 134/4 against Wille Varke in another tight match.
The final of the Third Division saw The Googlies reach a score of 119/7. They managed to keep Atlas Security at bay, eventually winning by 18 runs.
As a general rule of this league each bowler gets a maximum of two overs with a restricted run-up. If a batsman makes 30 runs he has to retire and may return after all batsmen are out.
"This gives everybody an equal chance to participate with the bat and ball and this has often unearthed unlikely heroes. If a team wins their final they move up into the next division and the last team in a division gets relegated," said tournament founder Glenn Bester.
Bester, who is also the director of the youth and senior cricket academies at the cricket club, said the Heatherbank Corporate 20- Over Cricket League is a social, short version of the game that involves all players in a format of cricket, making cricket the social, stress-free pastime it was intended to be.
The Heatherbank Corporate 20 Over Cricket League was founded by Bester in 2009 and is based at the Walmer Cricket Club in Heatherbank.
The idea came about when a group of Asian cricketers wanted to play in a shortened social version of the game.
Originally there were four teams that played in one division.
The Asian players put their own side together, named themselves The Proteas, and went on to win the inaugural league that year.
The Corporate League now hosts 26 teams in three strength-based divisions which are due to play in the upcoming Winter League starting this Saturday.
"Companies are finding this a most useful form of 'ongoing' team building that lasts a few months as opposed to the more expensive one-off events that are on offer," Bester said.
For more information contact Glenn Bester on 083-650-3370, or visit the league's Facebook: Heatherbank Corp Cricket League.