NMMU derby tops league fixtures

DEFENDING champions NMMU1 will begin their hunt for a seventh consecutive NMB Premier League cricket title with a double-header this weekend.

The students were meant to get their campaign under way last weekend but their opponents, newly promoted Union Uitenhage, made a late decision to withdraw from both the Premier League and the Prospects League.

NMMU1 have proved almost unbeatable in the past six years and are sure to be tough to overcome again this season as visiting Welcome may find out at the campus tomorrow.

The game of the weekend is likely to be that between NMMU1 and NMMU2 on Sunday. NMMU2 began their programme with two wins, beating Rhodes and PECC by impressive margins.

They will need to be at their best again when facing their "A" team.

Another game bound to attract some attention is that between SA Home Loans Union and Buco Uitenhage. The sides have been pretty evenly matched over the years and tomorrow's game in Park Drive will be no different.

Northville gave a decent account of themselves against Union last weekend and will be tough to beat when they host Rhodes at Finnis Street.

Seaman's Renault Old Grey travel to play Despatch, who will want to make up for their big loss at the hands of Emediait Heatherbank.

NMMU2 take on Heatherbank to round up their double-header programme, while PECC will also want to bounce back against United Brothers after their disappointing start to the season last weekend.

This weekend's fixtures (home teams first, 10am start):

Tomorrow: Mecer NMMU1 v Welcome, Northville v Rhodes, SA Home Loans Union v Buco Uitenhage, Despatch v Seaman's Renault Old Grey, NMMU2 v Emediait Heatherbank

Sunday:  NMMU1 v NMMU2, United Brothers v PECC - Alvin Reeves