George outplays Union Stars in final

OUDTSHOORN CRICKET NEWS - George, against the odds, became the new SWD Cricket Premier league champion on Saturday when they outplayed Union Stars in the final that was played at the REC Cricket Ground in Oudtshoorn.

George, who played in their third consecutive final and won the Petersen trophy for the first time since 2003/04, deserves credit for the impressive way in which they outmanoeuvred Union Stars who dominated the pool stage during the season.

From the onset, they also look much more hunger for success than captain Leroi Bredenkamp and his troops.

Stars, who won the toss and elected to bat, never got their innings going thanks to tight and economical bowling spells by Joshua Klue (0/10 in 6 overs), Jaco Fourie (1/14 in 10 overs) and Grant Simpson (0/20 in 10 overs).

With their score at 95/5 after 30 overs, a total of 150 looked out of sight but the 38-year old Pieter Stuurman showed his class with a more than a run-a-ball 43 (from 35 balls, 2x6,2x4) to enable Union Stars to post 174/8. Bailey Aarons (4/58 from 9 overs) was George most successful bowler.

Grant Simpson, spinbowler of George Cricket Club, economical bowling spell of no wicket for 20 runs in 10 overs suffocated the Union Stars top order batsmen. Photo's Wyndham Ewerts