April Century Club Winners
24th April 2024
SOUTH NORTH TRIO ENJOY ENGLAND OVER 40'S WORLD CUP IN CAPE TOWN.
3rd Apr 2024
SOUTH NORTH TRIO ENJOY ENGLAND OVER 40'S WORLD CUP IN CAPE TOWN.
Facilities superb, organisation first class, Table Mountain backdrop & grounds stunning, hospitality magnificent, family orientation, food & accommodation outstanding !!
The Birtwisle, Hewison & Wightman families, Linda & David Cragg really enjoyed one or two weeks of this inaugural over 40 World Cup tournament at various grounds in Cape Town between 18th February & 2nd March 2024. Five group games before semi finals & a final.
On the field SNCC were represented by Simon Birtwisle (played 4/7), Chris Hewison (5/7) & Jonny Wightman (5/7). All three played in the opening victory over Zimbabwe, Simon (9), Chris (49), Jonny (1-22). A chest infection prevented Simon from playing until the fourth group game, but Chris followed up with 47 v USA in the 97 run victory.
Jonny 2-46 in round 3 against Namibia in an 8 wicket win. It was hot, Jonny bowled well. Round 4 saw the eagerly awaited 'Ashes' clash between England & Australia. An exciting game & an engaged crowd saw England win by just 2 runs with Chris taking a very good catch in the last over, Jonny 0-28.
In round 5 Canada were comfortably defeated by 9 wickets, Simon 2-7 & 5 + a SN run out SJB/CJH.
In the semi final, against eventual winners South Africa, Simon & Jonny were selected, an in form Chris, surprisingly not. England chose to bowl, Jonny 6-2-21-1 as the hosts scored steadily reaching 224-9 (45o). In England's chase Simon (15) was caught with the score at 69-2 in the 13th. This became 87-5 as Nick Compton (0), Darren Stevens (11) & Garry Park (2) all succumbed to Jaco Castle. Despite Steve Naylor (71) & Mo Akhtar (49) scoring well, England ended 17 runs short.
The third place game against Australia went the way of Australia by 5 wickets. Five down for 64, Chris (12), the England innings stuttered to 174-9 (45o), Jonny 10* in his only innings. Australia 8-2, then 119-5 cruised to their target in the 43rd over, Jonny 1-18.
So a memorable tournament ended in something of an anticlimax, played 7, won 5, lost 2.
Nonetheless our congratulations go to Simon, Chris & Jonny for their selection & performances, adding most grateful thanks to the families who travelled to support them. The club are very proud that Simon, Chris & Jonny were selected & then performed admirably.
Another O40 World Cup is at the planning stage, there may be more to come !
Scorecard summaries.
19/2 England v Zimbabwe (Western Province CC)
Zimbabwe 149 ao (37.2o) JRW 5-1-22-1
England 151-5 (35.1o) SJB 9, CJH 49.
WON by 5 wickets.
20/2 England v USA (Roddam House School)
England 263-5 (40o) CJH 47.
USA 166 ao (32o)
WON by 97 runs.
22/2 England v Namibia (Milnerton High School)
Namibia 164 ao (35.3o) JRW 5-1-46-2
England 165-2 (23o)
WON by 8 wickets.
23/2 England v Australia (Rondebosch CC)
England 201 ao (43.4o) CJH 11.
Australia 199 ao (45o) JRW 5-0-28-0 CJH 1 catch.
WON by 2 runs.
25/2 England v Canada (Green Point CC)
Canada 128 ao (34,1o) SJB 2-7, 1 run out SJB/CJH
England 134-1 (34.2o) SJB 5, CJH dnb.
WON by 9 wickets.
27/2 England v South Africa (Green Point CC) semi final.
South Africa 224-9 (45o) JRW 6-2- 40-1
England 207 ao (45o) SJB 15
LOST by 17 runs.
29/2 England v Australia (Claremont CC) 3rd place play off.
England 174-9 (45o) CJH 12, JRW 10*
Australia 176-5 (42.1o) JRW 5-0-18-1.
LOST by 5 wickets.
South Africa defeated New Zealand by 6 wickets in the final.