On a quieter sporting weekend three Woodridge teams certainly made sure that they provided plenty of excitement in close matches where every run or goal counted.
Water Polo
The U14 boys and girls both won their play-off for 3rd place at the Peter Cuff Tournament in penalty shootouts after the games were level at full time. The boys even went to a sudden death round where they held their nerve.
Boys Cricket
Woodridge 1st XI vs Victoria Park 1st XI - Saturday the 5th November 2022
Saturdays in November are usually filled with school boy cricket. This Saturday was no different. This 50 over match promised to be a good game of cricket. Due to rain, the match start was delayed until 09:30. With these wet and humid conditions in the Eastern Cape means, you want to win the toss and bowl first. VP had won the toss and did exactly that, sending Woodridge in to bat. In challenging conditions, the goal was simple yet clear. See out the first few overs and bat for the full 50 overs. Woodridge managed to see out the first 10 overs with minimal damage, loosing only 1 wicket for a respectable 42 runs. However, by the 25th over they had lost 3 more. At this stage, the score was 102 for 4 after 25. The next 25 overs for the batting side had its ups and downs. The opening batsmen, James Beckley, who had worked so hard to get to a total of 40 runs, was bowled by a great ball from Russel Peterson. However, we found some stability through the number 6 batsmen, Phumelela Mbiza, who through some powerful hitting scored 45 runs in 46 balls before getting caught from a leading edge trying to run a low full toss to square leg. There was also some concern for Woodridge player, Philip Opperman, batting 7, who received a blow on the arm from pace bowler, Olwakwe Goqoza. Unfortunately, Phillip retired injured and ultimately went to hospital to look for potential fractures, meaning the left arm orthodox spinner and top wicket taker for Woodridge was unable to finish the game. Woodridge was bowled out for 217 runs in 44 overs.
After lunch with Woodridge now fielding and VP batting.
We got off to a great start by getting the first wicket in the 5th over for 15 runs. VP batsmen, Joshua Marks, came in at 3 and upped the run rate by getting a 31 off 26 balls before going out to Woodridge bowler, Josh Botha. Number 5 batsmen, Olwakwe Goqoza, was looking very threatening with 17 runs off 10 balls, however, he got run out by Woodridge fielder, Waydon Bopp, with a great throw and direct hit. Woodridge was buzzing with energy from that wicket. VP batsmen, Russel Peterson, came in. There was a dropped catch off Russel when he was on 4 runs. Russel made the most of the opportunity and went on to score 54 runs in 23 balls before finally getting out. At over 25, the score was looking grim for Woodridge, with VP having 145 for 4 wickets. The next 25 over would be crucial for Woodridge.
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The fall of Peterson was an important wicket but not the last obstacle. They still had to deal with the opener, Josh Hickman. The breakthrough came when Woodridge bowler, Phumelela Mbiza, got Josh out on 47 runs off 108 balls. Now the Woodridge boys, who were determined to fight until the game was over, had their tails up. Woodridge managed to take a hand full of wickets, however VP continued to score.
The 42nd over was the deciding over as to who would win. The score was 211 for 9. Woodridge had exhausted some of their bowlers and gave the ball to newly capped bowler, Mihlali Sodladla. Mihlali’s goal was to get the wicket to win the game. VP needed 7 runs to win. Woodridge brought all their fielders in the ring to put pressure on the number 8 batsmen. The supporters on both sides were silent. The pressure was on. Mihlali’s first ball was a dot, the VP supporters cheered in approval. The next ball was a wide. The VP supporters cheered a little louder, brining the score to 212, with VP needing 6 runs to win. The next ball was bowled short and wide, to which batsmen, Mc Kenzie, promptly cut over points for 4 runs, bringing the score to 216 runs, needing 2 runs to win. The last ball was a low full toss. The batsmen being aware of the fielders being in the ring tried to hit it over the top. However, the ball made contact on the toe of the bat and didn’t have the power to go all the way over the top. The ball was flying and almost got over mid-off but the captain, Bukho Pantsi, showing the meaning of BMT (Big Match Temperament), snatched the ball out of the air to secure victory for Woodridge. Woodridge won by 1 run.
