Somerset West Cricket Club (SWCC) has won the women’s premier league (WPL) title for 2022-’23 and will share the cup with University of Western Cape (UWC) women after the final was washed out on Tuesday 21 March.
An elated team captain, Alexa Jooste, who took the captain’s baton over from Charlene van der Merwe after she had sustained an injury midway through the season, said she was so proud of her compatriots as everyone had played their part. SWCC women finished top of the log following a consistent run of impressive wins. “We would not have been able to do this without the groundwork that was done,” Jooste said. “SWCC has always believed and operated under the principle of development. With two sides in the Senior Women’s division, and the only club to do that, we have come a very long way.” Jooste added the club’s exco had backed the team 100% and their support meant the world.
“Larry Morkel and Lloyd Simpson made sure we had fields ready and our scorers ready. The dads and uncles stepped up, such as Alastair Simpson, Ghaulied van Schalkwyk, Edward Russouw. The senior players, Mandy Mcllroy, Tatum le Roux, Robyn Appels and our own Faye Tunnicliffe led by example. Their demeanour and leadership on the field enabled us to play our best cricket. And our coach, Enver Wyngaard, who drilled us right from the start, kept on going and backing us all the way, and this is one of the greatest reasons that we are where we are. He goes through all the motions with us, and I am confident in saying that he is, apart from the ladies on the field, the reason we won this league.”
Top performers in the team include bowlers Tatum le Roux with 15 wickets and an economy of 2.37, Alexa Jooste with 12 wickets and an economy of 2.41, and Caitlin Wyngaard (under-19 SA reserve) with seven wickets and an economy of 2.15.
The best batting included Faye Runnicliffe’s massive 192* and Robyn Appels 51–run cameo. Most memorable moments included Caitlin Wyngaard’s 5fer, the camaraderie and friendships formed throughout and Delmi Tucker’s inclusion in the Protea’s women’s side
One of the most memorable moments was during the game the team lost, against Old Mutual, when Yulandi van der Merwe broke her arm and realised it only at lunch. She got a cast and returned. “We were nine wickets down and needed five runs to win and she went in to bat,” Jooste related. “Everyone was full of pure admiration and disbelief. We didn’t get the score, but the love these women have for the game and for the club fills my heart to the brim!”
She said the standout aspect has been the love off the field carried over to on the field, and camaraderie on the field turned into friendships off the field.
“We’ll take a well-deserved break now and celebrate a bit,” Jooste said. “As a team we’re looking forward to more moments like these, where the development and practice we put in result in winning.”
