SWD and Boland keep it 100% at Rural Week

Stefan May claimed an incredible four wickets for one run as South Western Districts made it two wins from two on the second day of the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Rural Week taking place in Oudtshoorn on Friday.

The hosts beat EP Grahamstown by 45 runs at Bridgton Sports Grounds, while Boland too maintained their 100% record with a six-wicket win over Iinyathi Villagers.

May’s performance came after his side had batted first and posted 211/7 in their 50 overs with opener Camron Avontuur top-scoring with 49. Carlton Rasmus also reached the 40s and was dismissed for 46.

In reply, the visitors were cruising to their target and at one stage reached 134/4, before the midway point of the chase. However, Corne Kennedy (4/32) and then May changed the course of the game to secure what turned out to be a comfortable win.

Meanwhile at the Recreation Ground, Villagers batted first and totalled 172 all out in 49.4 overs - Camagu Mbangi (39) and Yonela Mlungwana (38) the key contributors in their innings. Lukas Christo was the pick of the bowlers claiming 3/35.

Jacean Klaase (53 off 86 balls, 5x4) and Niel Lochner (43*) did the bulk of the scoring in the chase as Boland chased down the target in the 38th over.

There were also first win of the week for Kei and Iinyathi Aloes. The former overcame EP Midlands by 46 runs, whilst the latter Iinyathi Country by the same margin.

Midlands batted first at the Langenhoven Gimnasium School where Waylon Du Plessis top-scored with 31 in a total of 139 all out.

Victor Masokoswa (3/31), Loyiso Khatywa (3/29) and Asithandile Madikazi (3/16) were the stars with the ball, all taking three wickets apiece.

Faiz Shaikh, the day’s star performer with the bat, struck a fine 69 off 79 balls (7x4, 1x6) to lead the reply and secure a comfortable win with 14 overs to win for Kei.

The most successful bowler of the day turned out at the Oudtshoorn High School where Onwabile Nabe’s 5/39 lead Aloes to victory over Country.

Batting first, Country were restricted to 147 all out thanks to Nabe, before Sinethmba Tshomela struck 46 to help Aloes reach their target with more than 20 overs remaining.