WPCC secures national T20 Community Cup final spot
WPCC's Jaden Rossouw in action for his side in the Western Cape T20 Community Cup play-offs, in Stellenbosch at the weekend. Rossouw took five wickets in two games to help secure his side a spot in the finals.
Image: Mark Ward
Mark Ward
The Western Province Cricket Club has booked its place in the national T20 Community Cup competition later this month after delivering a clinical display in the Western Cape play-offs of the national tournament over the weekend.
Shawn Dyson’s in-form Western Province Premier League outfit sealed the regional title with back-to-back victories over Van der Stel, the Boland winner, and Pacaltsdorp from the Southwestern Districts to underline their status as one of the country’s leading community sides heading into the national finals in Johannesburg from 12 to 14 December.
In the first match, they recorded an emphatic eight-wicket win over Van der Stel in Stellenbosch after the hosts elected to bat on familiar turf. The posted a competitive 132, anchored by a polished innings from seasoned campaigner Pieter Malan, whose 63 off 54 balls held the innings together. Jaden Rossouw was the pick of the WPCC attack, claiming 3/22 in his four overs, while Bulumko Brukwe provided solid support with 1/21.
WPCC's Justin Behrens during his spell with teh ball in hand, at the Western Cape Community Cup T20 play-offs, in Stellenbosch, at the weekend.
Image: Mark Ward
Chasing 133, WPCC were rocked, losing early wickets, slipping to 21/2 inside the fourth over. But all nerves were swiftly settled by a superb, unbroken 112-run third-wicket partnership between Oliver Whitehead and Nic Barlow. They combined patience with precision to steadily dismantle the Van der Stel attack. Barlow finished on an unbeaten 56, while Whitehead closed on 49 not out to guide their side home with authority.
Their second outing proved more of a scrap, but WPCC showed grit to secure a 29-run win over Pacaltsdorp. Sent in to bat, Dyson’s men amassed 158/7, with Barlow again among the runs with 35, while Derek Mitchell added a valuable 40. Pacaltsdorp stayed in the contest thanks to a fighting 63 off 58 balls from Pieter Stuurman's innings, featuring six fours and three sixes but the WPCC’s bowlers held their nerve at the death to close out the win and complete an unbeaten weekend.
A satisfied Dyson praised the collective effort that carried his team through the provincial round and believes the performances provide a strong platform ahead of the national finals.
“It was two good performances from our side. We now shift our focus to the national tournament, although we still have some league fixtures to navigate before then. I’m delighted with how the guys played and we can definitely build on this, said Dyason.
With momentum on their side and several of their key players in form, WPCC will head to Johannesburg eyeing a serious push for the national title.