UWC Cricket Ladies triumph

UWC sports clubs had mixed fortunes when they competed in different final matches during the past three days.

The ladies cricket team lifted the University flag high when they won the Western Province T20 final, hammering Bellville Ladies by seven wickets at Newlands Stadium on Sunday, 10 April 2016. Their male counterparts were not that lucky when they narrowly lost their T20 final by 15 runs against St Augustine on the same field on Friday, 8 April.

And it was a case of ‘so close, but yet so far’ for the UWC Rugby team in terms of being promoted to the premier Varsity Cup, after they lost their promotion play-off game to neighbours from UCT on Monday, 11 April. UWC reached the play-offs after finishing second in this year’s Varsity Shield competition, but their dreams of participating in the Varsity Cup next season were dashed after they were defeated 40-5 at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

On Sunday, Bellville Ladies batted first and scored 81 runs in 20 overs, but Udubs Ladies clinched the win in 16 overs. The win, according to coach and captain, Nuraan Pippers, means that the team has achieved all the goals they set for themselves in the 2015/2016 season - to win the 50 over competition and the T20 competition.

“We've won 22 out of 23 matches. I am so proud of the commitment and dedication the ladies have shown this past season. We all had the same goal and we all contributed towards making that goal a reality.” Pippers said the UWC Ladies Cricket team has grown in numbers and in strength over the past few seasons, and strives to maintain and even improve on those standards, “as long as there are ladies passionate to play cricket and eager to learn the game. We need to build on those successes for the coming season.”

Pippers commended the University and its Sport Skills for Life Skills programme for playing a big role in her team’s success. “A huge thank you to all the parties involved for making our dream to come true.”

Nicolas Kock of the Cricket Club added that reaching the finals was a big deal for the club and the University in general. “Every final is special for us as it is a celebration of all the amazing sacrifices our UWC students and UWC staff make working shoulder to shoulder in creating something special on our campus. We are UWC and together we can achieve amazing things for our community.”