Sport

Gugulethu Women’s Hub set sights on T20 final

Lonwabo Marele|Published

Gugulethu Women’s Hub are in the Cricket South Africa provincial T20 final against Victoria Women’s Hub. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

Gugulethu Women’s Hub are in the Cricket South Africa provincial T20 final against Victoria Women’s Hub. Picture: Lonwabo Marele

Gugulethu Women’s Hub have their eyes set on the Cricket South Africa provincial school’s challenge T20 final.

Gugulethu Women’s Hub, the girls' team of Gugulethu Cricket Club, will face Victoria Women’s Hub in the final at Vineyard Cricket Oval, in Claremont, on Friday November 8.

Last Friday, November 1, Gugulethu beat Helderberg in the semi-finals. They bowled the opponents out for 29 all-out in eight overs. Gugulethu chased the score in seven overs. Amahle Gladile walked away as the player-of-the-match for picking up six wickets for six runs (6/6) in two overs.

Captain, Thembakazi Ngxishe said they are keen for the final against a tough Vics outing.

“We see our future in the sport. It is very nice because we are lifting our club and our community,” she said.

Gugulethu restricted Bergvliet to 59 all-out in 17 overs. It took Gugulethu nine overs to chase the score. The match award was shared by the opening batter, Mbali Gqumayo, for scoring 27 not-out, and by opening bowler, Gladile, for picking up four wickets and two runs (4/2) in four overs.

Gladile said she enjoyed her bowling success after picking up 10 wickets in two matches.

Women’s head coach, Ntsikelelo Nkwelo, expressed pride in the team for being the first girls’ team to reach a final for Gugulethu Cricket Club.

"I am happy. It is our first time in a final as the girls’ team of Gugulethu. We did something that hasn’t been done before. It shows that there is talent in Gugulethu,“ said Nkwelo.

Club chairman Vusi Ntoni said it’s an amazing feeling to reach the final, especially after competing against 16 teams in the knock-out tournament.

“It means a lot for the township for us to deliver to the point of reaching the final. We are happy for the hard work Nkwelo has put in. It’s too much. The time and devotion even shows in the league. We are doing well,” said Ntoni.

“It is a great achievement for the team and the community. Whether we win or not, this is very much humbling for the team. Last year we had the boys in the final. It shows the hard work from our coaches and our players,” said Ntoni.

Opening bowler Amahle Gladile from ID Mkhize, alongside batter Ayola Panya from Langa High, she scored the winning runs in the semifinal, with coach Ntsikelelo Nkwelo and captain Thembakazi Ngxishe from Khulani High School. Gugulethu Women’s Hub will face Victoria Women’s Hub at the Vineyard on Friday in the T20 final. Pictures: Lonwabo Marele
Amahle Gladile picked up 10 wickets in two games for Gugulethu Women’s Hub, guiding them to their maiden CSA T20 final against Victoria Women’s Hub in Claremont on Friday, November 8. Picture supplied
Gugulethu Women’s Hub are in the Cricket South Africa provincial T20 final against Victoria Women’s Hub. Picture: Lonwabo Marele