Sunday was a day to remember for Bobbies Cricket Club, who were crowned T20 Community Cup champions after a thrilling final at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.
Bobbies I lifted the trophy following a hard-fought 17-run victory over Rovers Cricket Club from Welkom. Just a week earlier, Bobbies secured their place in the Free State final with a commanding eight-wicket win over CBC Old Boys at Bobbies Park.
On Sunday, Bobbies won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a competitive 134/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Dylan Frances anchored the innings with a superb 58 not out off 57 balls, striking six boundaries. He was well supported by Neil Stannard with 28 off 22, while Lucas Boucher chipped in with an unbeaten 18 off 19.
For Rovers, captain Paul Sauer was the standout bowler, claiming 2/21 from his four overs, with the wickets of the opening batters Janco Nel (3) and Naude van Biljon (10). Donavan Nieuwenhuyzen recorded 1/22 in his spell, while Justin Jordaan finished with 1/32.
The Rovers’ reply with the bat got off to a disastrous start as they found themselves reeling at 16/4 after 4.2 overs, with Jan-Hendrik Steenkamp and Clinton Diakos each striking twice early on.
Donavan and Shaun Nieuwenhuyzen then steadied the ship with a gritty 53-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Donavan was eventually run out for a brisk 35 off 25 balls, featuring two fours and three sixes. Colin Herbert added 17 before being bowled by Diakos with the score on 98/6 – a moment that signalled the beginning of the end for Rovers.
Despite a valiant 37 off 36 balls by Shaun Nieuwenhuyzen, including three fours and two sixes, Rovers were bowled out for 117 in 18.4 overs.
Diakos was the pick of the Bobbies bowlers, finishing with 3/25 from three overs. Christo van Staden was tidy with 2/14 in 3.4 overs, while Steenkamp returned 2/23 from his full quota.
In the MCA T20 Community Cup final a week earlier against CBCOB, Diakos had also starred with the ball, taking 4/17 in his four overs, while Corné Booyzen matched those figures. Impressively, all four of Booyzen’s wickets came via bowled dismissals, while Diakos bowled three batters and trapped one batter LBW. – MORGAN PIEK
