Three of the Springs Old Boys Cricket Club (SOB) junior teams showcased their skills on the pitch on January 24 at Veritas College in Pollak Park.
The U14 Impala hosted CBC Old Boys Cricket Club (CBCOB) from Boksburg, where they dominated the game.
The visitors batted first, and Erich Lizemroe and Jayden Herron each claimed three wickets, finishing with figures of three wickets for 13 runs and three wickets for 16 runs, respectively.
In reply, SOB reached the target, scoring 94 for six in 15.4 overs. Michael Kelder top-scored with 21 off 18 balls, supported by Josh Faber, who made 18 off 32 and Landon Priebe with a quick 13 off 12. Zander Clark was the pick of the CBC bowlers with three wickets for 24, but it was not enough to prevent SOB from securing a four-wicket win.
Logan Viljoen in action against CBCOB. Photo: Zamokuhle Ndawonde
After the match, U14 Impala’s assistant coach Jan Kelder said that the win really means a lot, as it places them close to, if not on top of the log.
He also said that, as a team, they are very motivated to win the league, and this win builds on what they started at the beginning of the season.
He shared some of his highlights of the match, where their two fast bowlers, Herron and Priebe, put the opposition under a lot of pressure from the start, with Herron picking up three crucial wickets.
“Our spin bowler Erich Lizemore also stood out with an amazing spell of bowling, taking three wickets for only 13 runs. On the batting side, our openers Michael Kelder and Faber continued their fantastic form this season, getting us off to a great start. Landen Priebe and Divan van der Merwe were settling the innings and taking us to the win,” said Kelder.
The Springs Old Boys U14 Impala. Photo: Zamokuhle Ndawonde
Kelder explained that maintaining momentum is crucial, and they want to keep the focus they had leading into the second half of the season.
He added that if they maintain their discipline and high standards on the field as a team, they will only get better.
He expressed that the boys are a special bunch of young cricketers, that they don’t need much to motivate them, and that they all share one common goal.
“We as coaches can only be proud of what the team did. It just shows that hard work and determination pay off. We are aligned with what we want to achieve as a team this season, and that is to win the league,” said the assistant coach.
He said that the team spirit is at an all-time high and that the boys enjoy each other’s company, and that is one of the positives that winning matches gives them.
The Springs’ U14 Kingham donated some of their unused sports gear to their opponents, Duduza Cricket Club, and it was received by the team’s assistant coach, Ofentse Mlisa.
Results from the other junior teams:
SOB U10 Grobler beat Thembisa Cricket Club by 61 runs.
SOB U14 Kingham 127/7 (20.1 overs) beat Duduza 126 all out (23 overs) by three wickets.
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