The third annual Sunfoil Township Tournament came to a close last night and was as an all-round success.
Having been hosted in the community of Azaadville for the first time, this tournament celebrated friendship, enjoying sport and opportunities for all. Although weather initially threatened to hamper the tournament on day one, it cleared up beautifully and allowed the full event to take place.
The teams from the various parts of Johannesburg (central, south, Alexandra, Sedibeng, Elkah/Dobsonville, Kagiso) as well as the visiting teams from Langa and Kwazulu-Natal competed in a closely contested affair to deliver a thrilling final on Sunday evening between the central and Elkah/Dobsonville teams.
The central team stepped to the crease first and were bowled out for 156 with Kyle Badenhorst scoring a magnificent 99. Musa Matsikiri from the Elkah/Dobsonville side showed some terrific bowling skills and had figures of 2/27 in the match. When their turn came to bat, the team from Elkah/Dobsonville posed a brave fighting total of 119/9 before their luck ran out. Dirian Murray from the central team had the best bowling figures (2/18) in the match.
The individual accolades of the event were as follows:
- Winners of the tournament: Central team
- Runners up: Elkah/Dobsonville team
- Batsman of the tournament: Kyle Badenhorst; central team; total of 193 runs average of 64.33
- Bowler of the tournament: Musa Matsikiri; Elkah/Dobsonville team; total of 10 wickets
- Player of the tournament: Kyle Badenhorst; central team; total of 193 runs average of 64.33 and three wickets
- Team of the tournament: Central team
- Coach of the tournament: Justin Nefdt; central team
CEO of the Gauteng Cricket Board, Greg Fredericks thoroughly enjoyed his inaugural Sunfoil Township Tournament. "I have a tremendous passion for the youth of our country and took great pleasure in seeing this event take place in the community of Azaadville. The spirit of the game was evident in every match and I could see the enjoyment and pleasure that the players, parents, coaches and all others involved derived from it. My sincere appreciation goes out to the members of the community, the local organising committee and those that supported the event. I am proud to call this event part of the GCB annual calendar," he said.
