The Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) First Division A standings have taken an intriguing plot twist at the top.
While everyone had their eyes on Victoria Cricket Club (44 points) claiming the top spot over the festive season, their 16-run loss to Pinelands Cricket Club at the weekend opened the way for Rylands Cricket Club to take the lead.
Rylands moved a point ahead of Victoria with a 19-run win over third-placed Primrose on January 11.
However, the real buzz this week is all about Gugulethu Cricket Club’s impressive victory over Northerns Goodwood Cricket Club.
Gugulethu won the toss and batted for 50 overs, reaching a total of 252 runs, at the NY49 sports complex.
Mangaliso Mtiya scored 109 runs from 91 balls. Mtiya’s century was assisted by Mbulelo Nkomo’s 58 runs off 99 balls, and Thembelani Woji’s 26 runs off 31 balls.
Their good batting was topped by good bowling. Siphamandla Hlakudi picked up a fiver.
Hlakudi’s five-wicket haul off 45 runs was supported by Skhululo Rala’s 2/24 and Luvuyo Gquma’s 2/24. Gugulethu bowled out NGCC for 97 in 24.5 overs. They won by 155 runs.
The defeat for NGCC moves them to sixth position after eight wins and four losses.
The win for Gugulethu moves them 11th position, above Strandfontein, with three wins and nine losses in the campaign.
Player-coach, Mbulelo Nkomo said the team is moving in the right direction, with two out of three of their development teams also finding victories at the weekend.
“The ladies team won by 87 runs against Khayelitsha. Third team also won today. The second team needed only eight runs to win and they lost to Western Province Cricket Club. Not a bad start to the new season of 2025 right,” said Nkomo.
Gugulethu will look to close the gap on Hottentots Holland when they host them at the NY49 sports complex on Saturday January 18, with matches starting at 10am.
