Kyle Simmonds scores the winning runs during the Final of the Momentum National Club Championships between Maties and Crusaders at the TUT Oval on April 27, 2015 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)
Crusaders cricket club also known as the “Good Guys” recently took part in the CSA National Cricket Club Champs which was held in Pretoria from the 22 to 26 April.
The team comprising of 3 recent Westville Old Boys, Jesse Smit, Kyle Simmonds and current Dolphins cricket player Cameron Delport, went into the tournament slight underdogs as this tournament is known to be a tough tournament for a non-university cricket team to win. Through some very important performances by Kyle Simmonds and Cameron Delport during the week, the “Good guys” found themselves reaching the final after topping their pool.
The Crusaders boys pulled off a nail-biting win after being 30-6 chasing 216 to win. Kyle Simmonds along with a few other batters built up some decent partnerships to recover the ship and eventually the winning runs were hit by Kyle Simmonds who scored a valuable 37*.
In terms of rankings, Cameron Delport and Kyle Simmonds finished 2 and 3 respectfully, in the Top Wicket Takers ranking with Cameron taking 13 wickets and Kyle taking 12 wickets. Cameron was also on the batters list having amassed 199 runs at an average of 33.
Crusaders Cricket Club have become the 1st KZN team to ever win Club Champs.
Crusaders with the trophy during the Final of the Momentum National Club Championships between Maties and Crusaders at the TUT Oval on April 27, 2015 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)
Results Below:
Game 1: Beat University of Johannesburg
UJ 144/10, Delport 3/36 Simmonds 2/21
Cru 148/3, Delport 26
Won by 7 wickets
Game 2: Beat Durbanvile
Dur 173/10, Simmonds 4/39
Cru 174/4, Delport 15, Simmonds 14
Won by 2 wickets
Game 3: Beat Benoni Northerns
Cru 244/10, Delport 83
Ben 215/10, Delport 5/50, Simmonds 2/25
Won by 29 runs
Game 5: Beat Union Stars CC
Cru 224/8, Delport 23,
Uni 107/10, Simmonds 1/9 (4 maidens), Delport 1/21
Won by 118 runs
Game 6: Lost to United CC
Cru 240/9, Delport 51
Uni 241/3, Simmonds 1/25
Lost by 7 wickets
Game 7: Beat Maties in Final
Mat 216/10, Simmonds 2/44
Cru 217/9, Simmonds 37*
Won by 1 wicket