The second weekend of the Nashua Junior Franchise League proved to be far more competitive and dynamic than the first. While players seemed reserved and tentative during the opening weekend, they returned with renewed energy, confidence, and a fearless approach that brought the competition to life across all age groups.
Friday Fixtures Set the Tone
The weekend started off on Friday with matches on the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground and the High Performance Oval, which was action-packed games from the U12 and U19 age groups.
U12: Green Jets Soar Past Wildcats
At the HP Oval, the Grove Mall Wildcats won the toss and elected to bat against the Green Jets. The Wildcats managed 69/6 in their 20 overs, a modest total that the Jets chased down with ease. Phillip Nel was in fine form, anchoring the innings with a composed 35 off 35 balls. The Green Jets reached 74/1 in just 11 overs, claiming a win by 9 wickets and setting the tone for an exciting weekend.
U19: Batting Brilliance by Tiaan van der Merwe
At the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground, the U19 clash between Grove Mall Wildcats and the Green Eagles was a high-scoring thriller. The Green Eagles opted to bowl first, only to be met with an explosive innings from Tiaan van der Merwe. The young star smashed 129* off 71 balls, including 13 fours and 8 sixes, propelling the Wildcats to 175/4 in 20 overs. The Green Eagles fought back but fell short, with the Wildcats sealing a 15-run win. Unsurprisingly, Van der Merwe was named Player of the Match.
Saturday: Tight Games and Standout Performances
Saturday’s fixtures brought edge-of-the-seat drama, with close finishes and impressive individual performances.
U12 Morning Game: Eagles Edge Out Jets
The Ashburton Eagles took on the Green Jets in the morning U12 game. The Eagles chased down their target with 7 wickets in hand, thanks to solid knocks from Neil van der Merwe (41 off 51) and Player of the Match Marius Steytler (48 off 62).
U12 Afternoon Thriller: Wildcats Nip Eagles
In the afternoon, the Eagles faced the Grove Mall Wildcats in a nail-biter. The Wildcats narrowly clinched victory by just 2 runs, with Jacobus Esterhuizen leading their charge with a patient 22 off 36 deliveries.
U14: Bowling Dominance by Ashburton Eagles
In the U14 showdown, the Ashburton Eagles bowled out the Wildcats for just 55 runs in 13.3 overs. They chased down the target in 10.2 overs, despite losing 5 wickets. The bowling unit was spearheaded by Steven Richards (4/8 in 2.3 overs) and Natie la Cock (3/12 in 4 overs), earning the Eagles a 5-wicket win.
Sunday Showdowns: Nail-Biters and Big Totals
U19: Jets Hold Their Nerve in a Final-Ball Thriller
The unbeaten Naankuse Jets were pushed to the limit by the Grove Mall Wildcats in the U19 age group. The Wildcats elected to bowl, and the Jets’ middle order delivered a solid performance. Chasing the target, the Wildcats stayed in the hunt, but Jets’ death bowler Max Heingo held his nerve. His 3/26 included a brilliant final over that sealed a 2-run win for the Jets in a heart-stopping finish.
U14: Wildcats Outlast STADIO Jets
In a fiercely contested U14 match, the Grove Mall Wildcats edged past the STADIO Jets by 2 wickets. The Jets posted 103/9, with JW Junius contributing 38 off 36 balls. The Wildcats, led by excellent bowling from Joss Zondagh (4/15) and Ryan Myburgh (3/11), chased the target in 18.3 overs, finishing at 106/8. Despite strong spells from Jets’ SW van Wyk (4/22) and Gotlieb Gotlieb (2 wickets), the Wildcats held on for the win.
U19: Naankuse Jets Cruise Past Green Eagles
Wrapping up the weekend at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground, the Naankuse Jets dominated the Green Eagles. The Jets posted a commanding 186/4, with Adriaan Coetzee scoring a blistering 90 off 60 balls. The Eagles struggled to keep up with the required rate and ultimately fell 40 runs short, as the Jets continued their unbeaten run in style.
The second weekend of the Nashua Junior Franchise League showcased an exciting evolution in the players’ performances. From high-pressure finishes to individual brilliance, the weekend brought out the best in Namibia’s rising cricket stars. As the competition heats up, fans can look forward to more thrilling cricket over the upcoming weekend.
Who is leading on the board?
| U12 Leading Run Scorer | Phillip Nel 84 runs |
| U12 Leading Wicket Taker | Phillip Nel 4/42 in 3 matches |
| U14 Leading Run Scorer | Gillmer Horn 119 runs |
| U14 Leading Wicket Taker | Joss Zondagh 8/47 in 4 matches |
| U19 Leading Run Scorer | Tiaan van der Merwe 245 runs |
| U19 Leading Wicket Taker | Erik Lintvelt 6/82 in 4 matches |
Points Table
| U12 Teams | Matches | Won | Lost | Points |
| Green Jets | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Ashburton Eagles | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Grove Mall Wildcats | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| U14 Teams | Matches | Won | Lost | Points |
| Grove Mall Wildcats | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Ashburton Eagles | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| STADIO Jets | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| U19 Teams | Matches | Won | Lost | Points |
| Naankuse Jets | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Grove Mall Wildcats | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Green Eagles | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Fixtures:
| DATE | TIME | TEAMS | VENUE |
| 23 May 2025 | 15:00 | U12 Green Jets vs U12 Grove Mall Wildcats | HP Oval |
| 23 May 2025 | 15:00 | U14 Ashburton Eagles vs U14 STADIO Jets | FNB NCG |
| 24 May 2025 | 08:00 | U12 Log 1 vs U12 Log 2 | FNB NCG |
| 24 May 2025 | 11:15 | U14 Log 1 vs U14 Log 2 | FNB NCG |
| 24 May 2025 | 14:30 | U19 Log 1 vs U19 Log 2 | FNB NCG |
