The USA U19 Men’s cricket team spoiled the Southern Superstars' party, upsetting the previously undefeated hosts in the Cubs Week (for under-19 teams) final at the Coetzenburg Oval on Tuesday.
USA, beaten by four wickets in their opening game against the Superstars, convincingly turned the tables, winning the final by a big 105-run margin.
In the title decider, the USA's Utkarsh Srivastava (95) delivered a telling innings. Along with Sabrish Prasad (41) and Amrinder Gill (35), he helped his team post 244-8 in their 50 overs.
South African Schools' fast bowler Raeeq Daniels (3-53) tested the Americans, but the Southern Superstars' batsmen failed to fire.
They were bowled out for just 139 runs, with Divan Linde (55) and Daniel Bosman (36) providing the most resistance.
USA’s Adit Kappa (4-13) and Ansh Rai (3-33) wreaked havoc on the home team's batting.
In the battle to avoid the wooden spoon, the Central Gladiators got one over the Eastern Warriors, claiming a convincing victory by 123 runs - their first win of the tournament.
Jason Rowles (139*) led the charge for the Gladiators, with his unbeaten century on the Maties' D-Field coming off just 115 deliveries.
He and Armaan Manack (60) shared a third-wicket partnership of 133 runs, which was the biggest stand in the Gladiators' massive total of 372-7 from their 50 overs.
The team's opening batters, Siyabulele Radebe (57) and Joe MacRobert (50), contributed a 90-run opening partnership to the huge total.
Warriors fought bravely but were bowled out for 249 runs in reply, with Tahseen Hanslo (4-64) and Corné Botha (3-36) impressing with the ball for the winning team.
Northern Champions' Jorich van Schalkwyk ended off a good tournament with a century against Namibia.
On the first day, he had starred with an unbeaten 64 runs against the Biltong Farmers.
Van Schalkwyk was also his team’s best bowler in the five-wicket win, with figures of 3-24. He and Jaden Govender (26) shared a 106-run partnership for the second wicket.
Coastal Conquerors' Chad Mason (5-46) snared five wickets to dismantle the Western Legends' innings.
Ruben Maree enjoyed a good day with the bat and appeared on course for a century before Mason trapped him LBW for 95.
Conquerors' Joshua van Biljon (89) also narrowly missed out on a century. He and Mfana Shange (51*) put on 101 runs for the fourth wicket as their side scored a six-wicket victory.
SUMMARISED SCORECARDS:
USA 244/8 (Utkarsh Srivastava 95, Sabrish Prasad 41, Amrinder Gill 35, Arjun Mahesh 23; Raeeq Daniels 3/53, Divan Linde 2/37); Southern Superstars 139 (Divan Linde 55, Daniel Bosman 36; Adit Kappa 4/13, Ansh Rai 3/33, Arya Garg 2/26). USA won by 105 runs.
Western Legends 229 (Ruben Maree 95, Caiden Seleka 35, Extras 35; Chad Mason 5/46, Nqobani Mokoena 2/37); Coastal Conquerors 230/4 (Joshua van Biljon 89, Mfanafthi Shange 51*, Semal Pillay 26, Bandile Mbatha 22). Coastal Conquerors won by six wickets.
Namibia 186 (Liam Basson 46, Adriaan Coetzee 45, Francois du Plessis 45, Extras 30; Jorich van Schalkwyk 3/24, Wian Ruthven 2/33); Northern Champions 188/5 (Jorich van Schalkwyk 100, Vihan Pretorius 39*, Jaden Govender 26; Peter Blignaut 2/32, Francois du Plessis 2/44). Northern Champions won by five wickets.
Central Gladiators 372/7 (Jason Rowles 139*, Armaan Manack 60, Siyabulele Radebe 57, Joe MacRobert 50, Extras 32; Hlumelo Ntlola 6/64); Eastern Warriors 249 (Esa Gangat 46, Randy Syce 46, Kian Cambier 39, Jean Upman 32, Cayden Wilson 21; Tahseen Hanslo 4/64, Corné Botha 3/36, Esosa Aihevba 2/38). Central Gladiators won by 123 runs.