After the holiday break, on Saturday the first match was played, at the Bridgton Sport Grounds in Oudtshoorn where George (76 all out) defeated the defending champions, Union Stars I (67 all out).
George, who had a struggling season thus far, came out on top on a dry and slow spinners friendly track where spin bowlers dominated with PJ Carstens (4/22 for George) and Corné Kennedy (4/22 for Union Stars) each bagged four wickets.
At Loerie Park, Knysna Cavaliers (127/6) bagged maximum points with a 4-wicket victory against Union Stars II (126 all out) as the home sided only needed 31.2 overs to surpass a modes target for a four-wicket victory.
Sussex 131/7 chased down a tricky target at the Military Sport Club in Oudtshoorn against Harlequins Forces (129 all out).
In reaching the target after only 28.3 overs Sussex will remain on top of the log thanks to a bonus point victory. For Harlequins Gavaldhino Pietersen (5/37) bagged a fiver as was the case for Ravin-Lee Kemmies (5/32 for Sussex). Lindl Trim (44) played a vital captain’s innings to take Sussex over the line.
In the Pacalsdorp derby, Pacaltsdorp United (206 all out) continue their challenge for the title with a convincing 130 runs against New Dawn Park 76 (all out). For Pacaltsdorp both Pieter Stuurman (56) and Anaxola Khitshini (52) excelled with half centuries. New Dawn Park, who gained promotion at the beginning of the season, is still without a win and faces relegation at the end of the season.
Union Stars I vs George George
76 all out (Corné Kennedy 4/22, Lee-Henry Meyer 2/16, Shirwin Plaatjies 2/11) UNION STARS I 67 all out (PJ Carstens 4/22, Neil Jordan 3/25, Shelby Lindeque 2/9) George won by 9 runs Knysna Cavaliers vs Union Stars II UNION STARS II 126 all out (Ineal Arries 35, Mario Tarentaal 27, Jayver Philander 20, AB van der Walt 4/11, Jonathan Bester 3/21, Joof Enslin 2/20) KNYSNA CAVALERS 127/6 (Maurice White 27, James Bruiners 3/28). Knysna Cavaliers won by 4 wickets.
Harlequins Forces vs Sussex
HARLEQUINS FORCES 129 all out (Camron Avontuur 43, Marco Jansen 29, Ravin-Lee Kemmies 5/32, Franco Geldenhuys 2/30) SUSSEX 131/7 (Lindl Trim 44*, Roual de Reuck 22, Gavaldhino Pietersen 5/37) Sussex won by 3 wickets.
Pacaltsdorp United vs New Dawn Park
PACALTSDORP UNITED 206 all out (Pieter Stuurman 56, Anaxolo Khitshini 52, Eliah Thorne 22, Dimitri Carelse 4/12, Danvor Muller 2/21, Ivandro Samson 2/27). NEW DAWN PARK 76 all out (Leegan Moos 29, Ryan Mertin 3/13, Elih Thorne 2/17, Ricordo Majolla 2/11) Pacaltdorp United won by 130 runs.
George wins Union Stars the current champs
Photo supplied