Madibaz B shade Free State in USSA final: Madibaz B players Hanno Kotze was named the batsman of the tournament at the University Sport South Africa cricket week in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape last week. He was also included in the USSA team to play in a triangular tournament next year. Photo: Supplied The Madibaz B cricket team relied on a committed team effort to win their section in the University Sport South Africa tournament in the Western Cape last week. Comprising players mainly from the George campus, the Nelson Mandela University side triumphed in thrilling fashion against Free State University in the pool B final when the week ended in Stellenbosch on Friday. Hugo Loubser, the Madibaz sports manager in George, said their success had boiled down to everyone contributing at some stage. Although Hanno Kotze led the way with the bat to be named the batsman of the tournament, he said the team effort from the whole squad was the common thread in their success. “The fact that in four of the games we had four different players winning the man of the match award is an indication of how everyone made a contribution,” he said. “During the week the wickets were shared among all the bowlers and at any one time we could call on at least seven or eight bowlers to share the responsibility.” Before the tournament Loubser said Madibaz B had set their sights, at least, on making the semifinals of their section. They surpassed their initial goal, with the players showing great determination to defeat the Bloemfontein outfit by two wickets in the pool decider. After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, the Free Staters were stunned by Lyall Petersen’s 4/24 to be shot out for 128 in 37.1 overs. The match had been reduced to 47 overs a side because of rain. In their response, Madibaz slipped to 109/8, but an unbeaten 46 from Travis Ackermann took them across the line in the 44th over. “It was not an easy pitch to bat on and we kept losing two wickets at a time. Their attack did make life difficult for our batsmen,” said Loubser. “But full credit must go to captain Travis Ackerman, who showed great patience at the crease to take us across the line. “This was a big stepping stone for someone who was playing in his first USSA week and it meant a lot to him and the team.” There was further recognition for … [Read more...]
Madibaz women chase a medal in USSA water polo – MyPR.co.za

Madibaz women chase a medal in USSA water polo: National player Casey McLeavy will be an important part of the bid by the Madibaz women’s water polo team to capture a medal at the University Sport South Africa tournament in East London this weekend. The Madibaz women’s water polo team will be aiming to transform a series of competitive results into a medal-winning position at the University Sport South Africa tournament this weekend. The event takes place at the Joan Harrison Complex in East London from Saturday to Monday. Madibaz Sport water polo manager Melinda Goosen said there was a strong thread of commitment running through the squad and they were determined to prove a point on this national stage. “In recent years our women’s side have consistently made the semifinals, but we have usually ended fourth overall,” she said. “This year our goal is to medal. “There are a number of new faces in the squad, with half the team about to experience their first USSA tournament, but there is a very good work ethic among the players.” She said the squad trained twice a day on a regular basis, before 6am and a second session often ending after 6pm. “Being a university side, the academic commitments of the student-athletes play a big role in the availability of our players, especially during the Currie Cup tournament. “But the players are fully committed and have been training up to three times a day in the build-up to the USSA event. “It’s crucial for us to do well as we are looking for a major sponsor to come on board to back the water polo club. “We have the players and structures in place, but the team have to organise music trivia evenings and special events to help raise money to compete in the Currie Cup and USSA.” Goosen said players such as Meghan Maartens, Casey McLeavy, Charne Keen, Hannah Werth, Kelsey Vaughan, Mirricke du Plessis and Nina Cressey would provide the experience, while their biggest challenge was a lack of tournament match practice. “For example, UCT and Maties [Stellenbosch] play in a very competitive league in the Western Cape. Unfortunately our Nelson Mandela Bay competition isn’t of the same standard. “We do attend the Currie Cup as a club and not a province. NMU and Maties are the only club sides in the women’s division of the … [Read more...]
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