Heartbreak for Khayelitsha in one-run relegation drama

There could be no more heartbreaking result for Khayelitsha Cricket Club than the outcome of their last game of the season.  

A combination of challenging circumstances beyond the club’s control contributed to their inconsistent results this season, which ultimately saw them relegated back to First Division D.  

Just a season ago, Khayelitsha was promoted to First Division C but couldn’t survive, with the final day’s results not going their way. 

The script could not have been written any worse for the Khayelitsha team.  

In their must-win season-ending game, they lost to Varsity College by just 1 run.  

Set a target of 170 for survival, the home side was bowled out for 169 in the 49th over.  

Just two more runs would have been enough for Khayelitsha to stay in Division C, but now they must regroup and start fresh in Division D. 

Despite the disappointing result, not all is lost for the season.

Coach Wonga Matshobane believes that their young side will regroup and be ready to come back stronger next season. The team were influenced by factors outside their control, with many players being young, some still in matric and others having to go through traditional rituals during the season.  

“The first half of the season was very difficult for us because of player unavailability, but we came back strong in the second half and nearly survived,” said Matshobane. 

“At least in the second half, we were able to show that we can compete. We will regroup and hopefully win the league again and get back to Division C.” 

What made their task more difficult was the fact that their opponents were also chasing promotion and were firing on all cylinders.  

The Khayelitsha teenagers put on a valiant effort to ensure their survival.  

Fifteen-year-old Vuyayo Buti and 17-year-old Inam Bula showed brilliant fighting spirit in their innings.  

Bula led with 53 and was the last man out when he was stumped off the ball of Umayr Davids.

What could have been, had the teenager connected with his bat and got the needed runs from that delivery? 

“For them to play those type of innings under pressure pulled us back in the game but for a young side, we’ll obviously regroup and come back strong again next season,” added Matshobane.