Durbie S Shine Against All Odds !

DURBIE’S SHINE……..AGAINST ALL ODDS !

Western Province Cricket Association’s prestige league the 1A Premier League has come to an end. There were some mixed results with some of the league favourites falling short of early season predictions, where pundits had money on last year’s winners United and the two Varsity teams UCT and UWC to push for league honours.

There were also the familiar rumblings regarding who would be the team to make the daunted trip back to the 1B league.

None more so than Durbanville CC who against all odds proved to be the surprise package of the season. The Durbie 1st XI proudly ended 4th in this year’s competition, leaving many a team embarrassingly behind in their tracks. Not only did the team end up 4th, they also finished top of their pool in the 1 Day competition where they eventually lost in the semi-finals against Cape Town CC. Having won the 2008/2009 inaugural AMA20 Club competition it was always going to be the club’s objective to improve on their past results in the 2 day format. This they did above all expectation, where they ended up with the most batting points and 4th best bowling points in the league. Further down the line the rest of the club’s teams also performed fantastically with the 2nd and 3rd teams finishing 4th in their respective leagues, the 4th team ended 2nd and the 5th team won the 3B league. The 6th team competed admirably, finishing 18th. Our Junior section which is growing tremendously was also in the mix where our Under 13A team reached the prestigious WP U13 knockout final, beating last year’s winners Kenridge Primary School en route to the final.They eventually lost to WPCC in the final. Well done to our youngsters!

The excellent results above, is the product of a well planned and structured approach from the club’s 1st XI management team. A professional approach to the pre-seasonsaw a squad being identified to undertake a pre-season tour of Oudtshoorn, followed by sessions in the form of gym workouts, indoor nets, fielding skills, video analysis and various team building outings. This together with a balance of experienced players along with exciting young players has been the recipe for success.

This momentum, gathered by the 1st XI as well as the rest of the club has created an amazing vibe at the Durbanville club where planning sessions for the 2010/11 season are already underway. There is no secret that the club will now take this past season’s results, with the odds more favourable, and work harder to improve on this year’s great achievements.

CONGRATULATIONS DURBANVILLE CRICKET CLUB !