Newly promoted Bloemendal announced themselves on the NMB Premier League cricket stage with two impressive victories in the Mayoral T20 Cup at NMU at the weekend.
The tournament swung into action on Saturday with six of the 12 teams in action and Bloemendal, enjoying their first-ever season in the top league, could not have made a bigger statement.
In their first match of the day, they made a useful 158 for eight against Despatch, with Terrence Petrus making 58 off only 36 balls. Diego Jordaan also added a quick 24.
Despatch’s reply was promising with Sheldon Meiring clubbing 70, but in the end the northern areas outfit held their nerve to win by five runs.
Their second match was an even tighter affair against former league champions Tavcor Commercial Old Grey.
Again, Bloemendal batted first and made 120 for seven, with Dean Hutton scoring 33 and Tenzwell Petrus 31.
Daryn Korkie took four for 14 for Old Grey, who then looked on target to record a victory in the last over with them needing six to win and three wickets in hand.
But Bloemendal’s Craig Moses took three wickets in five balls for one run to see his team sneak in by four runs.
Madibaz 1 also won both games on Saturday, beating PECC and SA Home Loans Union.
On Sunday, Mechatronic Uitenhage and BLG Gelvandale went unbeaten.
Gelvandale were impressive with two easy wins after dismissing Madibaz 2 for 56 and Motherwell for only 40.
Uitenhage bagged a big scalp in their thumping of defending champions Jendamark United by seven wickets while also overcoming United Brothers by 24 runs. The competition continues with the next round of group fixtures this coming weekend. Summarised scores
Saturday Tavcor Commercial Old Grey v SA Home Loans Union Union 107/8 (R van Zyl 31, T Smuts 25; W Thompson 3/13, L Lindsay 2/6). Old Grey 111/3 in 18.3 overs (L Lindsay 44no, E Meiri 24no; R Hamilton 2/18). Old Grey won by seven wickets Madibaz 1 v PECC PECC 84/7 (D Doyle 24no, B Luttich 17; K Smith 3/9, H Vorstman 2/17). Madibaz 85/5 in 19.5 overs (J van Heerden 42; G Perry 2/17). Madibaz won by five wickets Bloemendal v Old Grey Bloemendal 120/7 (L Adams 23, D Hutton 33, T Petrus 31; J van Rensburg 2/23, D Korkie 4/14). Old Grey 116 in 19.5 overs (L Lindsay 29, T Potgieter 35; A Pieterse 2/21, L Adams 2/24, D Jordaan 2/18, C Moses 3/1 in five balls). Bloemendal won by four runs
Union v Madibaz 1 Union 100/7 (R van Zyl 21; M Venter 2/14). Madibaz 1 102/2 in 15.3 overs (J van Heerden 21, M Christensen 41no, C Baartman 2/21). Madibaz 1 won by eight wickets Bloemendal v Despatch Bloemendal 158/8 (T Petrus 58, D Jordaan 24; R Gelderbloem 3/23, G Visser 3/23). Despatch 153/9 (S Meiring 70, R Smit 26; M de Monk 5/34, L Adams 3/31). Bloemendal won by five runs
Despatch v PECC Despatch 138/4 (S Meiring 61, R Smit 26; G Perry 2/20). PECC 121/7 (D Doyle 33, D Van Rooyen 21, W van Zyl 21; G Visser 4/21). Despatch won by 17 runs
Sunday
Mechatronic Uitenhage v United Brothers Uitenhage 133/4 (S Patel 22, L Pietersen 22, Z Patel 53, J de Klerk 24, D Darries 24). United Brothers 109 in 19.2 overs (S Nqweni 52). Uitenhage won by 24 runs
Madibaz 2 v BLG Gelvandale Madibaz 2 56 in 18.4 overs (B Walters 4/11, C Dolley 2/12, C Diedericks 2/3). Madibaz 2 Gelvandale 57/3 in 11.1 overs (E Koll 17, A Howard 16no). Gelvandale won by seven wickets.
Jendamark United v Motherwell United 117/8 (S Duda 31, P Tsolekile 21; L Adam 2/23, S Zokoza 3/19). Motherwell 61/8 (S Gidana 2/10, N Brouwers 3/8, L Tybosch 2/21). United won by 56 runs
Madibaz 2 v United Brothers Madibaz 2 89/5 (J Crankshaw 24, K Jacobs 33no; K Tshamlambo 2/9). United Brothers 93/0 in 14 overs (O Nyaku 58no, D Magala 29no). United Brothers won by 10 wickets
United v Uitenhage United 96/6 (S Duda 22no, R Esau 39; N Howard 2/20, S Patel 2/28). Uitenhage 100/3 in 18.3 overs (Z Patel 20, B PEtrus 27, J de Klerk 36no). Uitenhage won by seven wickets
Motherwell v Gelvandale Gelvandale 126/6 (W Bell 67, J Dolley 19; L Adam 2/11). Motherwell 40 in 12.3 overs (B Dolley 4/10, B Walters 2/0, S Goliath 2/6). Gelvandale won by 66 runs.