It was a grand occasion as the annual Historical Ngumbela Tournament celebrated its 30 year anniversary in style at the Ngumbela Sports Grounds in Healdtown on Sunday.
Township United Brothers (Tubs) cricket club from Alice claimed an unlikely 24-run win over Healdtown's Fear Not cricket club in a thrilling low scoring champ of champs final.
The first three quarters of the match were not exciting after Tubs batted first and only managed a below par 159/9 in their 50 overs. However Fear Not, who were cruising on 94/1 at some stage, were made to pay for their slow scoring rate as they fell apart, losing their last nine wickets for just 41 runs to finish all out on 135 in 48 overs.
Opening batsman Andile Gladile struck a slow 55, while fellow opener Xolani Ngumbela (18) and number three Loyiso Mngxekeza (23) chipped in to help them get off to a good start, but needing to up the rate they then lost a cluster of wickets to crash to a surprising defeat.
Thabani Mgugudo was the star for Tubs, claiming a brilliant 5/13 off 6.2 overs and was deservedly named man-of-the match, while he was backed up by Mkhululi Calana who picked up 3/22 in nine overs.
“I have enjoyed the day, it was a bit of a slow match but it got very exciting towards the end and the crowd got very involved,” said tournament organiser Foster Tshona.
“I did not expect Fear Not to lose, they are a strong team, were chasing a low score and in a strong position, but they threw it away in the end.”
At the start of play, Fear Not won the toss and elected to field.
It looked to be a great decision with them getting off to a superb start as Mlibo Tsewu was trapped LBW by opening bowler Siya Ncapai as Tubs slipped to 1/5 in the first over.
That became 15/2 at the end of the fourth over as Jerome Bossr, one of a number of players who competed in both the Amacal'egusha and Ngumbela tournaments, was unable to repeat his heroics from the Amacal'egusha final as he was bowled by Sesethu Mayase for two.
In the sixth over Tubs fell into even deeper trouble as opener Athi Mfazwe (8) was caught by Carlos Koyana off the bowling of Mayase leaving them on a precarious 23/3.
The rate then slowed to a snail's pace as Jongile Kilani and Mgugudo tried to rebuild the innings, but both fell after getting starts, Kilani caught for 12 and Mgugudo bowled for 17, both off the bowling of Odwa Mngxekeza.
Former Border captain Jerry Nqolo, who now is the strength and conditioning coach for the Fort Hare Academy, and current Border top order batsman Calana then looked to steady the ship with the innings best partnership.
It was a slow stand, but the two added 31 to the score and just five short of taking Tubs past the 100 run mark, Calana (16) was bowled by Gladile.
Nqolo however carried on and despite another wicket falling with the score at 119/7, moved on towards what would have been a well deserved half century.
However, on 47 in the 43rd over and trying to up the scoring rate, Nqolo took a few big swings and was eventually bowled by Loyiso Mngxekeza, with the score 137/8.
That soon became 142/9 in the 45th over, but a vital final wicket stand saw out the remaining overs and added 17 valuable runs.
In all it was a wonderful way to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of the tournament.
“There was a lot of celebration and appreciation for all the good work that Mr Ngumbela and his family has done here for the local community,” said Tshona.
“Especially in rural development and grass roots cricket in this region where cricket has uplifted this community, you see how many people turn out to watch every year.”..