The Steinhoff Maties Cricket team has officially been crowned winner of the Boland League, successfully defending the title the team won last year as well.
According to coach Andrew Wylie Maties won the league with three matches to spare.
He said highlights of the league include the character shown by the players when put under pressure, especially against Robertson in an away match and against Young Peoples where they managed to claw their way back from behind to win the match.
Wylie added that the emergence of young spinners and new promising quick bowlers has also been a highlight.
"Kyle Simmonds and Niel Botha have been particularly impressive with their bowling for us and have often struck early when brought into the attack. The new players and first years have slotted in nicely with many getting their first taste of league cricket playing for the Vics. Since then, they have also made valuable contributions to Maties."
The Maties Cricket team has been one of the strongest teams in the league for many years now and Wylie feels his team needs to be tested more to prepare them better for tournaments like Varsity Cricket and National Club Championships.
"I am generally very happy with the standard of play but I feel the boys aren't tested often enough at league level to really identify areas under pressure. A key area to develop would be the fielding department where we can make improvements. The ideal scenario for developing young players is for them to be exposed to tight situations more often and play under pressure so that when the big moments arrive at national tournaments players react quicker. This doesn't happen often enough."
By winning the league Maties qualified to play in the National Club Championships. They lost in the final against Crusaders last year. The club champs will kick off next week.
Photo credit: Outsider Communications
