The first team of Van der Stel Cricket Club avenged their defeat in the final of the Premier A T20 Community Cup on Saturday, when they handed their counterparts from Paarl Cricket Club a defeat in Stellenbosch.
The sides met in a Cricket Boland Premier A 50-over league encounter at Bergsig, with the home side turning the tables to record a narrow nine-run triumph. Just two weeks earlier, the sides met at Daljosaphat Sports Ground in the final of the shorter format of the game, and Paarl dominated the proceedings, convincingly taking the spoils by 72 runs.
This time around though, the Stellenbosch men delivered an all-round performance to claim the win after they won the toss and took first strike on their home ground.
They amassed 232/9 in their 50 overs, with Stefan Maree (79; 7×4) taking charge of innings and delivering a fine performance with the willow. He was well supported by André Hanekom (38; 3×4).
For the men from the Drakenstein, Adrian du Toit (3/34) and opening bowler Taywin Adams (2/67) were the pick of the bowlers.
At the change of innings, the Van der Stel bowlers clinically went about defending the target, eventually restricting Paarl to 223/9 in 50 overs. The bowling prowess of Divan Swanepoel (3/37), Riyaad Henry (2/33), Wynand Smit (2/26) and Jacobus Nel (2/34) ushered their side to victory.
Despite the best efforts of Lindley Hendricks (62; 7×4, 1×6), Stefan Conradie (48; 1×4, 3×6) and Elliott Moses (41; 6×4), it was not enough to carry their team over the line.
The victory means Van der Stel are currently in second place on the log with 14 points after four matches, with only a superior net run rate separating them and top-placed Maties Cricket Club.
This coming Saturday (7 December), local clubs will be in action in their last league matches before the festive season break. Stellenbosch CC will take on Paarl East CC at New Orleans, Van der Stel CC will host Robertson CC at Bergsig and Coronations CC are on the road, locking horns with Wellington CC at Pen Basson Oval.
