An exciting conclusion to the Eastern Cape leg of the Coca-Cola Schools T20 competition is on the cards this weekend as the Warriors final is battled out at Hudson Park High school.
Should the weather hold and the teams able to play, Hudson Park will take on Old Bunting in the Border-Kei final on Friday afternoon, with the winner going on to face Eastern Province champs St Andrew’s College in the final on Saturday morning.
Both matches will be played at Hudson Park and, unless there is a massive upset, it should be the host school taking on the visitors from Makhanda.
“They [Hudson] do still have to play in the Border-Kei final on Friday, but the Kei winners should be no match for them,” said Border Youth Coordinator Loyiso Sibaca.
“For me I strongly believe that it is a learning moment for the Kei teams to play against quality opposition, and it is good to have them play to help and grow the game.
“But I fully expect Hudson to play against St Andrew’s in Saturday’s final.”
Should Hudson reach the final as expected,it will mean that St Andrew’s will qualify for the nationals as Warriors representatives regardless of the result.
This is because Hudson has already qualified for the nationals as champions of the Coastal Focus Schools section after beating Western Province Sport School in the final last week Friday. The match should be exciting as there is a monetary prize for the franchise winners.
It should be an interesting match, with a strong St Andrew’s outfit keen to impress against the form Border team on their homeground.
“Hudson has been the strongest team in the Border region and deserve to be in the finals,” said Sibaca.
“The number of games that they have played also helps, as they have picked up a lot of experience along the way, and I think they stand a good chance against St Andrew’s to become Warriors champs.
“They have built up a lot of confidence by becoming Border champs, then winning Coastal Focus schools section and making the Algie Cup final, so they will take all of that momentum into the Warriors final.”
It has been an entertaining Coke T20 competition this season and it should enjoy a grandstand finish should the bad weather stay away.
“This tournament works as a platform for cricketers and it exposes players, so I am happy to see these players get the recognition they deserve,” said Sibaca.
Friday’s match between Hudson and Old Bunting gets under way at 2.30pm, and Saturday’s final will start at 11am...