Charity bash rakes in cash
Source: Sunday Times - LUKE ALFRED - 01 Sept 2002

ANDY Scott and Bruce Fordyce, the chief operations officer and the marketing director of the Sports Trust respectively, estimated that the Sports Trust Cricket Challenge at the Tuks Sports Centre in Pretoria yesterday raised approximately R75 000.

It could come to more when all the paperwork is done, but for the time being a healthy sum will be directed toward a worthy cause preferably somewhere less obviously wealthy than here at Tukkies.

The hook that event was hung on - a 25-over bash between Dale Benkenstein's Howzats and Neil McKenzie's Hotshots was won late in the day by Benkenstein's men.

Chasing 177 to win, they found themselves slightly awkwardly placed, needing 28 in the final two overs. But Benkenstein and Martin van Jaarsveld plundered 17 runs off the penultimate over from Andrew Hall and after that, the final over of the match, bowled by Steve Elworthy, was a comparative doddle.

Benkenstein's assault was erected on a healthy foundation provided first by Graeme Smith (37) and, later on, Robbie Peterson (50). Smith hit two splendid sixes off Nantie Hayward's first two deliveries but fell shortly thereafter attempting his favourite hook shot.

Peterson continued the good work with apparent effortlessness and Benkenstein and Van Jaarsveld breezed to an unbeaten 81-run unbroken fourth wicket partnership.

The Hotshots' innings of 176 for four was built on a thumping 111-run partnership for the third wicket between captain, Neil McKenzie (61 off 36 balls) and Ashwell Prince (61off 59 balls).

McKenzie, having been named to captain the SA "A" side against Australia "A" recently, might or might not have had something to prove.

Omar Henry and Eric Simons were in the vicinity and will have noted his imperious disdain.

Prince's innings was slightly less eye-catching but was no less royal. He accumulated runs with real ease, the sign of a quality player who has too often been overlooked.

Needless to say, it was not the bowlers' day, although both Justin Kemp and Roger Telemachus pegged the Hotshots back early on in their innings.

In reply, David Terbrugge bowled intelligently and with control in the spring sunshine.